8 Recruiting Trends to Plan for in a Harris Administration

We recognize that this election season has been particularly challenging for recruiting teams. With many employers delaying hiring until post-election, managing heightened campus activism, and grappling with public positioning on political issues, the landscape has been anything but predictable. As we move forward with the confirmation of a new Harris administration, it is vital to have the insights and strategic forecasts needed to navigate this period with confidence and clarity.

We identified eight key recruiting trends a Harris administration may cause to inform your strategy, help you anticipate challenges, and seize opportunities as they emerge.

1. Strengthening Non-Traditional Talent Pipelines

In her rallies, Harris stated, “for far too long, our nation has encouraged only one path to success: a four-year college degree. Our nation needs to recognize the value of other paths, additional paths, such as apprenticeships and technical programs.” She pledged to remove degree requirements for federal jobs and challenged “the private sector to do the same,” emphasizing that degrees aren’t necessarily a proxy for skills.

2. Expanding Apprenticeships to Diversify Pipelines

Harris has committed to doubling the number of apprenticeships during her administration. These on-the-job training programs could help diversify talent pipelines as companies recruit from more inclusive programs that prioritize a wide range of candidates and backgrounds.

3. Reinforcing Support for DEI Initiatives

Under a Harris administration, recruiting teams can expect continued support for DEI policies and initiatives at HBCUs and HSIs. However, with a conservative Supreme Court, some corporate and higher-education DEI initiatives may face limitations, and legal challenges from segments of the private sector are likely to persist or grow.

4. Increasing Global Talent Access via Immigration

Immigration policies under the Harris Administration could shift to promote greater enrollment of international students and offer more flexibility for international talent to work in the U.S. This would provide enhanced access to a diverse and skilled talent pool, especially in high-demand fields.

5. Heightened Emphasis on AI Regulation

Harris’s plan to increase regulatory oversight of AI may complicate the adoption of AI tools in recruiting. Legal departments might advise caution, and companies already using AI tools could need to refocus on bias auditing in automated recruiting processes to mitigate legal risks.

6. Continued Support for Student Debt Relief

A Harris administration would likely continue efforts toward student debt relief. Expanding debt forgiveness could improve access to higher education, counter decreasing enrollment rates, and lead to bipartisan support for increased access to Pell Grants and new workforce training programs for early career talent.

7. Investing in Manufacturing and CHIPS Act

Harris is expected to prioritize domestic manufacturing, bolstered by the CHIPS Act. This, along with pledges to reshore critical industries and workforce development investments, may result in increased demand for skilled talent in manufacturing, semiconductors, AI, biotech, and clean energy sectors.

8. Boosted Hiring in Green Energy Roles

Employers in green energy, such as auto manufacturing and infrastructure, can expect hiring boosts under Harris’s continuation of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This aligns with progressive policies supporting sustainability and growth in industries aligned with clean energy.

 

These eight trends are poised to shape the recruiting landscape. Our commitment is always to provide you with the information and support needed to drive effective and resilient recruiting strategies during this period of change. Ensure you’re subscribed to our newsletter to receive continued alerts on this issue and other top-line impacts on the Talent Acquisition space.