To place greater focus on skill-based hiring processes, the state of Massachusetts is doing away with the necessity of a bachelor's degree for over 90% of its job ads.
Degree requirements can only be included in job postings "when absolutely necessary" to the performance of the role being sought, according to an executive order signed by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey in January, as Fox News reported.
Rather than focusing on candidates' academic qualifications, the administration is shifting the emphasis to their talents, expertise, and competencies, according to the governor's office, which is a change in trajectory for many Democrat administrations, who have pushed for higher education nationwide.
"As the state’s largest employer, we rely on a strong, diverse workforce to deliver crucial services and programs for Massachusetts residents, businesses and communities every day. But too many job applicants are being held back by unnecessary degree requirements," Healey said.
"This Executive Order directs our administration to focus on applicants’ skills and experiences, rather than college credentials. It will expand our applicant pool and help us build a more inclusive and skilled workforce than ever before.
"Our administration is leading by example, and we encourage the business community to join us by adopting similar skills-based hiring practices."
Hiring managers will also receive the resources and training they need to put the new hiring plan into action, according to the governor's executive order. It is the policy of this organization that all managers must complete a training course on how to properly advertise open positions and evaluate applicants based on their knowledge, skills, and talents. In the past, employers often required applicants to have a certain degree before they would even consider their applications.
Education requirements apply for just 7% of the state-postings currently. The HR department is responsible for conducting regular job evaluations to ascertain whether or not specific training is required.
"Our administration recognizes that job applicants have a wide range of skills and that nobody can be reduced to a line on a resume," Lieutenant Gov. Kim Driscoll said.
"We have so many jobs across the state that need to be filled, and we have qualified, talented workers who want them. We just need to lower the barriers to entry, which is exactly what this Executive Order aims to do."
Healey's directive follows a trend in which American companies are reducing or doing away with the necessity of a bachelor's degree for entry-level corporate positions, thereby diminishing the significance of a four-year degree.
A number of American corporations have declared intentions to decrease the amount of positions necessitating a bachelor's degree, including Google, Walmart, IBM, Accenture, and Bank of America.
In an effort to reduce "unnecessary barriers" that hinder job advancement, Walmart has pledged to do away with the necessity of a bachelor's degree for hundreds of its corporate positions.
In addition, the business stated that applicants who can demonstrate proficiency in the required areas through alternative forms of work experience would not be required to have a bachelor's degree.
The Burning Glass Institute found that between 2017 and 2019, college degree requirements decreased in 46% of "middle-skill occupations" and 31% of "high-skill occupations." This disparity "could have major implications for how employers find talent and open up opportunities for the two-thirds of Americans without a college education," the report stated.
This approach could create 1.4 million new positions for Americans without a bachelor's degree within the next five years, according to the estimate, which is in keeping with the trend.
