2026 Transformers in the Public Sector Cohort

Applications Now Open through November 23!

Building on Success, Expanding Impact

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The inaugural cohort — with participants from Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, and Utah — demonstrated the power of collaboration in breaking down barriers and creating equitable opportunities for all workers, including those Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs). States piloted new approaches to expand economic mobility, strengthen government workforces, and increase access to careers in public service. Building on this success, Transformers in the Public Sector is launching a 2026 cohort with two new tracks and an expanded focus on leaders across all levels of government.

Important Dates & Deadlines

October 22, 2025: Informational Session 1, 2pm—3pm ET (sign up here)
November 3, 2025: Informational Session 2, 12pm—1pm ET (sign up here)
November 15, 2025: Application Deadline at 8pm ET
December 15, 2025: Application Review Complete & Entities Notified
January 7, 2026: Cohorts confirmed and Public Announcement
January 22, 2026: Virtual Kickoff, 12pm—1pm ET

Track 1: Technical Assistance

Teams receive:

Tailored coaching and implementation support from a dedicated team of experts
Recurring coaching sessions to address challenges, share best practices, and deliver customized guidance
Hands-on support such as reviewing job descriptions, stakeholder surveys, and workforce data
Exposure to a network of peers working on similar challenges

Track 2: Skills-Based Foundations

Designed for public sector teams actively driving implementation of skills-based practices in priority roles: budget/finance (including auditing and procurement), HR/data analysis, or IT/cybersecurity. Designed for teams from any level of government seeking foundational skills-based expertise.

Participants gain:

Foundational training and leadership development
Peer learning opportunities and access to expert resources
Practical tools for implementing skills-first practices in their agencies
Optional participation in in-person convenings

FAQs

Members of Opportunity@Work’s Public Sector Hub–applicants may sign up here for free if not already a member
Public sector teams seeking professional development and a foundation in skills-based talent practices, OR
Teams of government implementers with some authority to change HR policy across a department, agency or entire city, county, or state government workforce
Those with little to no prior exposure to skills-based talent practices, OR
Those with significant experience implementing skills-based talent practices seeking support to drive systems change

Teams of at least 2 public servants interested in building their familiarity with skills-based talent practices in government, exploring skills-based practices who do not feel ready to engage in a structured TA experience, and meeting other public sector leaders committed to expanding careers in public service to STARS (individuals Skilled through Alternative Routes)
- These teams could include professionals ranging from senior policy officials, HR professionals, hiring managers, program managers, HR data managers, or legislative staff

Track 2 will provide a basic set of quarterly webinars on foundational topics in skills-based talent practices in the public sector, such as measuring adoption, building skills-first job descriptions, sourcing STARs talent, and using assessments. It will further provide participants access to tools and resources from Opportunity@Work’s Public Sector Hub and insights and personal connection with field leaders who are already driving successful adoption skills-based talent practices. Participants will build a national network of fellow government leaders committed to skills-based talent practices.

Teams of public servants seeking a structured, high-touch change management cohort experience who have committed to implement skills-based talent practices for recruitment, retention, or advancement of their workforces.
- These teams should include a blend of senior leaders, HR professionals, hiring managers, and administrative data managers, with participation from at least one STAR.
Entities with formal support from elected officials to prioritize skills-based talent practices across the workforce. This might include a public announcement, executive order, or legislation.
Teams positioned to remove degree requirements across entire hiring systems
Administrations with internal capacity to dedicate resources to data analysis, work planning, and pilot activities.
Participants who already have some knowledge of skills-based talent practices

Track 1 will guide teams through a structured implementation pilot to integrate a skills-based lens into talent practices for target roles: budget/finance, HR/data analyst, or IT/cyber. Each Track 1 team will be paired with an implementation coaching team composed of staff from Opportunity@Work and The Volcker Alliance.

The coaching team’s primary role is to provide a strategic framework for implementing skills-first practices for a set of target roles, while surfacing opportunities for alignment and peer learning with other participating teams. Beyond strategic guidance, teams will also have access to hands-on support from their coaches. For example, coaching teams may:

Draft, edit, or review marketing materials and position descriptions to use skills-based language
Draft, edit, or review stakeholder surveys (e.g., for HR staff or hiring managers)
Connect teams with relevant partners, subject-matter experts, or tools
Support data analysis or internal benchmarking to evaluate adoption of skills-based practices across government
Provide sourcing support to identify promising talent pools of STARs

The cohort runs from January 2025 to January 2026, with quarterly virtual programming.Teams participating in Track 1 will be expected to join an additional set of individual or small-group conversations and advance key deliverables between meetings. All cohort participants–regardless of Track–will be invited to in-person convenings, including a program kick-off and conclusion which are required for Track 1.

There is no required cost to participate in the Transformers Cohort. All travel and lodging expenses will be covered for any required in-person event participation for Track 1 participants. Track 2 participants will be asked to cover their own travel and lodging costs if they choose to participate in the in-person programming.