On June 26 2020, The President of the United States issued an executive order aimed at modernizing and reforming the assessment and hiring of federal job candidates. This order emphasizes merit-based reforms that shift the focus from degree-based hiring to skills- and competency-based hiring. The goal is to ensure that individuals best suited to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of specific positions are selected, aligning with the principles of the merit system.

As a result of this order, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will revise qualifications for federal jobs within the next six months. The executive order allows a federal agency to mandate a minimum educational requirement only when it is legally necessary to perform the duties of a position in a specific state or locality.

This move by the Trump administration seeks to prioritize job skills over college degrees in government hiring practices. It aims to create a level playing field for all applicants, giving them an equal opportunity to showcase their abilities and secure federal jobs without being solely dependent on possessing a college degree.

Sources:

1. (The White House)
2. (USA Today)
3. (Inside Higher Ed)