Skills-Based Hiring: What Can We Learn from the Public Sector?

The traditional landscape of government hiring is undergoing a significant transformation. Across the United States, a quiet revolution is taking place, one that prioritizes skills over rigid degree requirements. Research from the National Governors Association, in collaboration with Lightcast, reveals a compelling trend: over half of US states have issued policy directives focused on skills-based hiring. This movement, aiming to broaden access to public sector jobs, is reshaping the way state governments recruit talent.

Map of States that have Implemented Skills-Based Hiring

Why Shift To Skills? 

Traditional hiring practices, heavily reliant on degrees, often overlook qualified candidates with valuable skills acquired through non-traditional pathways. This approach can lead to poor job fits, limited candidate pools, and ultimately, a less effective public sector workforce. Skills-based hiring addresses these limitations by focusing on what a candidate can do, rather than simply what they have done in terms of formal education.

In 26 states and territories, these policies have spurred a critical re-evaluation of job requirements. This shift opens doors to a wider pool of qualified candidates, many of whom possess valuable experience and demonstrable skills without a traditional four-year education. This proactive approach is yielding tangible results. For example:

• Colorado: Colorado has seen an increase from 48% to 58% of state government job postings not requiring a degree between 2022-2024.

• Pennsylvania: An executive order from Governor Josh Shapiro removed degree requirements from roughly 92% of state government positions, resulting in nearly 60% of new hires without a college degree.

• Delaware: Removing degree requirements for specific roles led to reduced vacancy rates and increased application numbers. For example, Family Service Specialist positions saw a 575% increase in applicants—and a 13% decrease in non-qualified applicants. .

• Virginia: Virginia government has increased from 58% to 90% of job postings that omit a degree from 2019 to 2024.

The Private/Public Difference

A closer look at job postings reveals a telling comparison between the public and private sectors. While 61% of state government job postings still require a college degree, this figure is notably lower than the private sector's 70%. This 9% difference is a testament to the ongoing efforts within state governments to dismantle degree barriers. Importantly, these policy actions are relatively recent, with many initiatives beginning in 2022. As implementation continues to progress, we can anticipate this gap to widen further, signaling a sustained commitment to skills-based hiring.

The tangible impact of this shift is already evident. In 2022, Maryland took a bold step by eliminating bachelor's degree requirements from a significant portion of its public sector job descriptions. The results speak for themselves. Between 2022 and 2024, the share of Maryland State government job postings that didn't require a degree surged from 32% to 47%. This dramatic increase demonstrates the effectiveness of skills-based hiring in expanding access to government roles and attracting a more diverse and capable workforce.

This data highlights that state governments are actively embracing a more equitable and efficient hiring strategy. By focusing on skills, they are not only breaking down unnecessary barriers but also ensuring that they recruit individuals who are truly qualified to serve their communities. As the skills-based hiring movement gains momentum, we can expect to see further positive changes in the public sector, fostering a more inclusive and effective government workforce.