Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has announced a series of initiatives aimed at supporting residents impacted by recent federal workforce layoffs and changes in federal funding. These actions emphasize the administration’s commitment to aiding Marylanders and investing in the state’s economy to prepare for future challenges. The governor recognized the extensive experience of federal workers as valuable assets to the state.
Key initiatives include:
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Expansion of Resources: The Maryland Civil Service Resources website will feature new job-hunting tools, highlighting nearly 130,000 openings across in-demand sectors such as IT, life sciences, and aerospace.
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Support Programs: Affected workers may qualify for various forms of assistance including housing help and programs designed to aid veterans, who make up about 15% of federal employees in Maryland.
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Recruitment Efforts: The Moore Miller administration will launch recruitment events to connect federal workers with available state job opportunities, starting with a virtual info session on March 7 and in-person job fairs later in the month.
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Streamlined Hiring Processes: Three directives have been issued to enhance employment practices:
- The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will initiate a pilot program to assist federal workers in translating their experience into state job opportunities.
- The Maryland Department of Budget Control (DBM) will improve application processes, aiming for quicker hiring responses to manage the potential influx of applicants.
- The Maryland Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) will help federal workers transition into teaching roles, addressing a significant shortage of educators in the state.
- Comprehensive Support Measures: Additionally, a special webpage has been launched by the Maryland Department of Labor for federal employees seeking unemployment insurance and career transition resources. A weekly virtual workshop is offered to assist impacted individuals in navigating new career opportunities.
Governor Moore’s actions follow earlier measures to aid Maryland workers and aim to create avenues for federal employees to remain in the state, contributing their expertise to public services. The Maryland Civil Service Resources website, which saw rapid engagement since its launch, remains a central hub for these efforts.
