Maryland eliminates four-year degree requirement for thousands of state jobs

(WEAA) On Tuesday, Governor Larry Hogan announced a new workforce development initiative to eliminate the four-year degree requirement for thousands of state jobs.

“Through these efforts we are launching today, we are ensuring that qualified, non-degree candidates are regularly being considered for these career-changing opportunities,” said Governor Hogan. “This is exactly the kind of bold, bipartisan solution we need to continue leading the nation by giving even more Marylanders the opportunities they need to be successful.”

Maryland has partnered with Opportunity@Work —a non profit that connects overlooked communities with job openings— to hire STARS (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes).

“It is more important than ever that we work together to find new ways to build a steady pipeline of talented, well-trained skilled workers for the jobs of the future. That means pursuing bold, innovative ideas and being committed to leaving no skilled workers behind,” Hogan said.

Maryland is the first state to eliminate the bachelor's degree requirement for so many state jobs.

“Just today, we’ve added more than 300 government jobs that are currently open and available, which no longer require a four-year degree…” Hogan announced. The jobs have already been listed on Opportunity@Work’s Stellarworx platform, stellarworx.org.