Governor Wes Moore has announced a plan to assist displaced federal workers in Maryland, aiming to provide job opportunities and economic stability in the wake of mass layoffs.
With an estimated 10,000 federal employees in Maryland facing job losses, Moore’s initiative seeks to connect these workers with state and local job opportunities, streamline hiring processes, and offer resources for career transitions.
“Maryland is mobilizing,” Moore said during his press conference. “Maryland stands with our federal workers … This state is now going to stand for you.”
The governor made it clear that while the state cannot control decisions made in Washington, it can take action to support affected workers and their families.
Today, we're announcing more actions to help Marylanders impacted by federal workforce layoffs, firings, and changes to federal funding. https://t.co/jEkaUVY7vA
— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) February 28, 2025
Moore’s plan consists of five key actions:
1. Expanding Online Resources – The Maryland Public Servants Resource website will highlight job openings in high-demand industries such as information technology, life sciences, engineering, and aerospace. Over 51,000 people have visited the site in the past two weeks, showing strong interest in these opportunities.
2. Connecting Workers to Education and Training – The Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Department of Education will help displaced workers transition into new careers by providing training, certification pathways, and higher education opportunities.
3. Collaborating with Local Leaders – Moore emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are, ensuring that resources and job placement services are accessible throughout the state.
4. Recruiting Federal Workers into State Jobs – With 250 currently posted state job openings and many more expected to become available, the state is working to streamline the hiring process for displaced federal employees.
5. Expediting Hiring Processes – The governor signed directives requiring state agencies, including the Departments of Transportation, Budget and Management, and Education, to simplify and accelerate hiring procedures for former federal workers.
A particular area of focus is the education sector, where Maryland is facing a critical teacher shortage. With 1,600 classrooms currently without teachers, the state is looking to recruit federal employees who may be interested in transitioning to education.
The Teach.Maryland.gov website will provide information on teacher certification, job openings, and pathways into the profession.
Additionally, veterans, who make up 15% of Maryland’s federal workforce, will have access to specialized resources through the Maryland United Benefits Screener. These tools will help them navigate career transitions, access healthcare, and secure financial assistance.
The initiative is already in motion. A virtual information session on state jobs is scheduled for March 7, followed by in-person job fairs in Prince George’s County and Baltimore City.
The state is also enhancing websites to help connect displaced federal workers with open jobs in both the public and private sectors. Currently, Maryland has 130,000 open positions across various industries, and the administration is committed to making these opportunities more accessible.
While no direct funding has been allocated to this initiative, Moore’s plan aims to leverage existing state resources to provide a lifeline for those impacted.
“We cannot control the actions of the White House, but we can control how we respond,” Moore said. “Our top priority is to protect Marylanders, and that includes protecting those who are affected by arbitrary cuts.”
As the number of displaced workers grows—450 have already filed for unemployment—Moore’s strategy provides a proactive approach to ensuring economic stability for thousands of Maryland residents.
