The Daily Scoop Podcast

Episode: Why the White House's two-year Tech Force stints are aimed at young people’s approach to work

Host: Billy Mitchell
Date: March 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode examines the federal government's initiative to attract younger workers through its new “Tech Force” program, which features two-year stints designed to align with the modern workforce mindset. The discussion also covers President Trump's recent high-profile appointments to the White House's science and technology advisory panel, emphasizing the administration's efforts to involve top tech leaders in government science and technology policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rethinking Federal Recruitment: The Tech Force Stint Approach

• Modern Workplace Mindset:
  OPM Director Scott Cooper emphasized that younger workers no longer view federal careers as lifetime commitments. Instead, they prefer shorter, mission-driven engagements.
  • [00:50] Quote:
    "I don't think young people actually think about 40-year careers anymore. Instead, they think about small increments." – Scott Cooper (paraphrased by Billy Mitchell)
• Purpose of Two-Year Terms:
  The Tech Force program has been intentionally designed for two-year rotations to match this shift in thinking.

2. Questioning the “Stability” Draw for Young Talent

• Historic Attraction to Job Security:
  Traditional messaging focused on government stability may now be less compelling to Gen Z and Millennials.
• Stability Debate in Congress:
  Rep. Steny Hoyer pressed Cooper on whether the administration’s broader federal workforce policies undermine the appeal of stability.

  • [02:10] Context:
    Hoyer referenced OMB Director Russell Vogt’s past statement that he wanted bureaucrats “to be traumatically affected” as a result of policy changes, suggesting the administration is shaking up longstanding job security.

  • Cooper maintained:
    For many younger workers, stability is not the motivating factor it once was.

    "While there might have been a time when young people wanted that, I believe currently that young people have different focuses now." – Scott Cooper (as summarized by host, [02:58])

3. Addressing the Age Imbalance in the Federal Workforce

• The government’s workforce has historically skewed older. Multiple administrations have sought to correct this through new programs and policies, with the Tech Force being the latest attempt.
• Skepticism remains about whether these efforts can overcome past trends and effectively attract—and retain—young tech talent.

4. High-Profile Tech Appointments to White House Advisory Panel

• President Trump announced a new, tech-heavy lineup for the revamped President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).
  • [03:25] Quote:
    "Among the 13 appointees… were Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle's Larry Ellison, Google's Sergey Brin, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang." – Billy Mitchell
• PCAST Overview:
  The council, which advises the President on science and technology policy, will be co-chaired by David Sacks (AI and crypto czar) and Michael Kratsios (OSTP Director).
  • Trump had previously reestablished this body by executive order in January 2025.

First Wave of Notable Appointees

[03:50] – Partial list includes:

• Marc Andreessen (Andreessen Horowitz)

• Safra Katz (Oracle)

• Michael Dell (Dell Technologies)

• Fred Ehrsam (Coinbase)

• Jensen Huang (Nvidia)

• Lisa Su (AMD)

• Mark Zuckerberg (Meta)

• Sergey Brin (Google)

• Larry Ellison (Oracle)

• Further appointees and the first PCAST meeting schedule are expected to be announced soon.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Workforce Mindset:
  "I don't think young people actually think about 40-year careers anymore. Instead, they think about small increments." — Scott Cooper (paraphrased by Billy Mitchell, [00:50])

• On the “Stability” Narrative:
  "While there might have been a time when young people wanted that, I believe currently that young people have different focuses now." — Scott Cooper (via host, [02:58])

• On PCAST’s Tech Line-up:
  "Among the 13 appointees... were Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle's Larry Ellison, Google's Sergey Brin, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang." – Billy Mitchell ([03:25])

Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Title | Summary | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00-01:30 | The Need for Change in Federal Hiring | Federal recruitment plans for young talent revolve around new paradigms.| | 01:30-02:58 | Congressional Oversight on Tech Force Approach | Cooper discusses the reasoning behind two-year stints and addresses the stability question. | | 03:10-04:15 | Science and Tech Advisory Panel Appointees | Overview of the new PCAST membership and its tech-industry leanings. |

Tone & Language

Throughout, the tone is informative and analytical, reflecting the serious implications for federal hiring and policy. The podcast maintains a direct and news-oriented delivery, focusing on facts, official statements, and notable appointments.

Conclusion

This episode offers a concise yet rich overview of current federal efforts to modernize its tech workforce strategy and integrate private sector expertise into White House science and technology policy. Key insights revolve around generational shifts in career values and the administration's pivot in both hiring and advisory approaches.

For more government technology news, visit FedScoop.com.