Experts push incentive plan to attract science, tech workers

In exchange for public service, the federal government should offer low-interest loans, scholarships and loan forgiveness to college students seeking science and technology degrees, former federal officials recommended last week. At a joint Senate-House hearing on human resources issues, former Defense Secretary James R. Schlesinger and retired Adm. Harry D. Train suggested the government should extend higher learning assistance now offered to military personnel to civilians in technical fields. The two urged Congress to pass legislation creating a new assistance program this year. Schlesinger and Train are members of the U.S. Commission on National Security, a panel that in February made a broad set of recommendations for improving the operations of the government's national security apparatus, including the Defense Department, the State Department and intelligence agencies. The commission also recommended efforts to improve overall science and technology education in the country.

"The capacity of America's educational system to create a 21st century workforce second to none in the world is a national security issue of the first order," the commission's report said. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., pointed out that federal agencies already have the ability to pay back student loans, but agencies don't have enough money to use that option frequently. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management has yet to issue final rules establishing a student loan payback program across government. The Thursday hearing was convened by Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, and Rep. Joe Scarborough, R-Fla., chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on the Civil Service. Lawmakers and panelists complained that the government's hiring process is slow and drives away good candidates for national security-related positions. They also questioned whether the government has the right people in place now to effectively manage national security. The panels are planning a second joint hearing on federal human resources issues, though the subject and date have not yet been determined, a House subcommittee staffer said.