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What is the Workforce Recruitment Program?
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) connects federal employers nationwide with college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through internships or permanent jobs. Candidates apply for inclusion in a talent database that is accessible by federal employers seeking to hire for internships or permanent positions. While participation in the WRP is not a guarantee of employment, it increases the visibility of your resume to federal hiring managers.
Am I eligible to participate in the WRP?
Current, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students with disabilities, and recent graduates who received a postsecondary degree on or after April 1, 2023, from a U.S. accredited college or university, are eligible to apply for WRP in fall 2025. Part-time students can participate if their part-time status is due to a disability or because they are in their last term or semester. Candidates must be U.S. citizens who are eligible for the federal Schedule A hiring authority.
What is the application process for students and recent graduates to be included in the WRP talent database?
Students and recent graduates may submit applications from late August through early October each year. During this time, please visit the WRP student page and click “Students Register Now” to begin. The WRP application process requires two steps: eligibility verification and creation of the WRP Talent Program profile. First, you will be asked to confirm your eligibility for the WRP by submitting a Schedule A letter and your most recent school transcript. This must be completed before the deadline listed on the posting.
After you submit your documents, WRP staff will review them to confirm that you are eligible for the program. This may take a few weeks. If your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive an invitation from notifications@usajobs.gov to complete the second step of the process, which is creating your WRP Talent Program profile. To complete this step, you will select the link in the invitation to be taken into your USAJobs account. You will fill out the profile questions and upload your resume or use the resume builder to create one.
Once you submit your profile, you will be added to the WRP talent database and your resume and profile will be available to federal employers seeking to hire for federal internships and jobs. Your profile will remain active in WRP for one year. To continue to participate in WRP in future years, you will need to reapply each year you maintain eligibility.
What documents do I need to apply to the WRP?
Applicants must submit a Schedule A letter, their most recent official or unofficial transcript, and a resume when applying to the WRP. Applicants will also complete a series of application questions, including a career interest statement that must be less than 300 characters.
What should I do if I have questions about the application?
If you need help completing your application, please contact your WRP School Coordinator, who can assist you. You may also email the WRP program managers at wrp@dol.gov.
What is the cutoff date for recent graduates to participate in the WRP this year?
The WRP accepts both current, degree-seeking students as well as recent graduates. To apply in fall 2025, the candidate must have graduated on or after April 1, 2023. This means any individuals who graduated or had their degree conferred before April 1, 2023, are not eligible for the program. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made to this rule for graduates.
How long is my application part of the WRP? Do I need to reapply each year?
Your application is part of the WRP talent database for one calendar year beginning each December. You need to reapply to the WRP each year that you wish to participate and meet the eligibility criteria. This helps ensure that applicant information remains up to date for employers. Please visit the WRP student page and select “Students Register Now” between late August and mid-October to register.
Is there a minimum GPA to participate in the WRP?
No, but candidates must provide their GPA as part of their application. For candidates who are freshmen or have not been awarded a GPA, they may enter 0.0.
Can a candidate who has a criminal record participate in the WRP?
Yes, candidates with a criminal record can participate, but many positions may be contingent upon passing a security clearance or background check. This process is handled by the hiring agency at the time an employment offer is made.
Which agencies hire from the WRP?
The agencies that hire from the WRP vary from year to year. Federal agencies that have employed WRP candidates in the past include the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs; the Social Security Administration; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Federal Housing Finance Agency; and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. WRP candidates have worked in more than 38 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and as civilian employees on military bases in Germany, Italy, and South Korea.