U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released the following statement on the Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump today which will transform the federal hiring process to replace one-size-fits-all, degree-based hiring with skills-based hiring:
“I want to applaud President Trump for today’s Executive Order that recognizes the skills, knowledge, and experience students and workers gain both inside and outside the classroom. All too often, workers have been denied opportunities that match their skills because they lacked a traditional degree, and industries have missed out on capable employees because of arbitrary postsecondary degree requirements. It’s long past time to extend credit to workers for the talents they bring, even if those abilities aren’t learned while earning a traditional degree, and today’s Executive Order ensures the federal government does that going forward.
“I continue to challenge the business community to rethink education and to embrace potential employees who have gained their experience and skills outside of the typical classroom—including serving our country through military service. Learning is a lifelong journey, and there are many ways to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the workforce. I thank President Trump for his leadership on this issue, which will benefit students, lifelong learners, and all American workers.”