Data Science: How Federal Agencies Are Upskilling Staff for the Modern Data Environment

• Activity Number: 170 - Data Science: How Federal Agencies Are Upskilling Staff for the Modern Data Environment
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 : 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM
• Sponsor: Government Statistics Section
• Author(s): Rebecca Hutchinson* and Christian Moscardi* and Alex Measure* and Bethany Blakey*
• Companies: US Census Bureau and US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics and General Services Administration
• Keywords: government; data science; training

Abstract

The proposed 2019-2020 Federal Data Strategy tasks federal agencies with identifying critical data science skills and the data literacy needed to support data analysis, management, and privacy protection. Meanwhile many agencies have been building out data science training programs, data skills development profiles, and a variety of other solutions to meet their own unique needs. For federal agencies, this effort provides an exciting opportunity to encourage a more holistic approach to problem solving and integration of topic expertise, as past practice tends to aligns work experience with job series. For example, mathematical statisticians are typically strong in the statistical components of data science such as exploratory data analysis and model building but may need training and exposure to data science topics including data transformation, machine learning, and data storytelling in order to be more effective in a modern data environment that demands greater breadth in skillsets.

The panelists will discuss how their agencies are training, upskilling, and mentoring current staff in data science and providing opportunities and projects for staff to utilize these skills.