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Federal Government Locking People Without College Degrees from Skilled Jobs with Federal Contractors: Congresswoman Spanberger Pushes for Change
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is leading the charge to remove bachelor’s degree requirements for workers supporting federal contracts. Spanberger, who is set to run for governor next year, is urging the federal government to adopt skills-based hiring assessments for federal contract services.
Many Fortune 500 companies have already dropped bachelor’s degree requirements for middle-skill and high-skill jobs in an effort to recruit more workers. However, the federal government continues to impose these requirements, locking out individuals who have gained skills through alternative routes such as community college, apprenticeships, and on-the-job experience.
Spanberger’s push has garnered support from key figures in the community, including Dr. Anne M. Kress, president of Northern Virginia Community College, and Julie Coons, president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. They believe that removing these outdated requirements will widen the talent pathway, close the workforce gap, and help local businesses succeed.
With the federal government’s reliance on federal contractors for essential services, Spanberger’s efforts to promote skills-based hiring could have a significant impact on the workforce pipeline in Northern Virginia and beyond. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
