Defense contractors rethink hiring, retention as job market challenges rise

摘要

Many defense contractors, particularly those in the services industry, say they're intensely focused on their hiring practices and benefits as the market for the workers they need tightens. Karen Wheeler, the chief human resources officer at Science Applications International Corp., told Inside Defense last month that it's getting "harder and harder" to find the right talent. Services companies, who don't typically have major manufacturing facilities or weapon platforms, have long argued that their employees are their main asset and differentiator. Vicki Schmanske, who heads Leidos' intelligence group, told Inside Defense it's a significant challenge to find the right talent. "The demand that we all have ... is exceeding supply," she said, calling it the "biggest issue" her group discussed during an off-site meeting last month. On top of a very low unemployment rate, Wheeler said the services contracting market is further tightened by the length of time it takes to process a security clearance as well as the generational difference that generally means younger workers move around more frequently. Additionally, she said movement within the industry - the mergers, acquisitions and divestitures that are frequently occurring - can make employees nervous enough to look for different jobs. Peraton is one result of the changes occurring within the market; it was Harris' IT services business before it was divested in 2017. Laurie Foglesong, Peraton's chief human resources officer, told Inside Defense the company saw it as an opportunity to start with a "clean sheet of paper" approach to recruitment, retention and benefits practices. "People get nervous around change, but I think the way we've tried to tackle that is to really have the employees feel like they are a part of building this organization," she said. In November, Peraton hired Symphony Talent, which specializes in hiring and engagement. Symphony put together focus groups of many different types of Peraton employees, from remote workers to front-line managers to highly technical employees.