Pathways Programs

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Office of Personnel Management 5 CFR Parts 300, 362, and 410 [Docket ID: OPM-2023-0020] RIN 3206-AO25 AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing this final rule to align the Pathways Programs with the Federal Government's needs for recruiting and hiring interns and recent graduates. Robust Pathways Programs, with appropriate safeguards to promote their use as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the competitive hiring process, are essential to boosting the Federal Government's ability to recruit and retain early career talent. DATES: This rule is effective June 11, 2024. Agencies must be in full compliance with this final rule not later than December 9, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katika Floyd at (202) 606-0960 or by email at employ@opm.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Information The authority for the Pathways Programs in their current form was set forth on December 27, 2010, with the issuance of E.O. 13562 ( 75 FR 82585 ) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3301 and 3302 . The Pathways Programs became effective on July 10, 2012, following OPM's issuance of a final rule ( 77 FR 28194 ) implementing E.O. 13562 . The Programs are designed to provide students and recent graduates with the opportunity for Federal internships and potential careers in the Federal Government through three components: The Internship Program exposes current high school students, undergraduate students, includin…