Revolutionizing state and local government with cross-skilling

In the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, we’ve already seen a massive amount of change, and it’s not just impacting federal agencies. State and local governments are also being impacted by the new administration’s changes. 

With DOGE operating at all levels, state and local governments are also being charged with increasing efficiency. At the same time, many of the responsibilities that used to sit with federal agencies are being shifted to the states. This means state and local governments are left with fewer resources, money, and staff but even more responsibilities. 

Throughout all of this, the steady drumbeat of technological advancement beats on. This can be a boon or a burden, depending on how agencies approach it. If technological advancements outpace your team, you may be left struggling to keep up. But if you prioritize tech skills training, you can use new technological resources to meet efficiency and productivity goals.

Cross-skilling is the process of training technologists in areas that overlap or have close relevance to their core areas of expertise. In an interview with GovLoop, Tony Holmes, Pluralsight’s Practice Lead for Solutions Architects for Public Sector, highlights how state and local governments can use cross-skilling to address the data skills gap that many agencies face.

“Data isn’t a specialist’s job anymore. It’s at the core of every major technology decision,” he says. “The problem is that many agencies still rely on a handful of data specialists to do all of the heavy lifting. This creates bottlenecks.

“Cross-skilling solves this problem by making data fluency a standard skill, not niche expertise. It means equipping people with the ability to interpret and apply data in their own context, at a level that is sufficient that they can actually have a faster cadence within their day jobs.”

Cross-skilling can also help teams effectively adopt AI.

“As generative AI continues to change how we process and interact with data, agencies that can invest in cross-skilling now will be far ahead of the curve," says Tony.

"Teams are going to be able to generate their own insights and act on that data in real time. That is going to be the difference between a reactive workforce and an agency that sits there waiting for their data specialist to have bandwidth.”

By investing in cross-skilling initiatives, state and local governments can strategically equip their workforce with the diverse skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving landscape of public service. Employees also gain expertise in complementary areas, fostering collaboration and adaptability across departments. 

This allows state and local government agencies to proactively address skill gaps, improve operational efficiency, and maintain high levels of productivity, even in the face of budget constraints and staffing reductions. 

What’s more, a well-trained and versatile workforce is better equipped to respond to unforeseen challenges, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic downturns. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, state and local governments can position themselves as agile and resilient organizations capable of delivering essential services effectively and efficiently to the public they serve.

Learn more about how cross-skilling can improve government efficiency.

State and local governments are facing a period of unprecedented challenges. Budget cuts, increased responsibilities, and a rapidly changing political environment are just a few of the obstacles that they’ll need to navigate as they serve their constituents. In the face of such uncertainty, it's clear traditional approaches will no longer suffice.

Cross-skilling goes beyond simply training employees in new areas. It's about fostering a deeper understanding of how different roles and departments connect and contribute to the overall mission of the organization. 

“The more teams understand how their work connects, the faster and more productive they become.It’s creating resilience in those teams,” says Tony.  

To learn more about how cross-skilling can help your team become more proactive and efficient, check out Tony’s full interview. 

Ready to start cross-skilling your workforce? Learn how Pluralsight helps state and local governments develop expert tech professionals.