U.S. companies easing degree rules to widen talent pool
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — A recent survey of 800 U.S. employers by online education platform Intelligent.com found that approximately 45% plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for certain positions in 2024.
This follows a similar trend from 2023, where 55% of companies eased degree requirements for entry-level roles.
The shift away from degree requirements aims to increase workforce diversity, according to Intelligent.com advisor Diane Gayeski.
“Due to the expense of attending college, earning a bachelor’s degree is generally more difficult for people from traditionally marginalized groups and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds,” said Gayeski.
“Eliminating a bachelor’s degree can open jobs up to individuals who weren’t able to attend college.”
The survey also highlighted growing demand for practical experience and artificial intelligence (AI) skills. 80% of employers valued experience over formal education, while 60% wanted applicants to have AI capabilities.
“Many AI programs are available free online and all it takes is a bit of time and patience to leverage these to use for coursework, internships, or even just for fun,” Gayeski added.
By moving towards skills-based hiring and away from degree requirements, companies hope to improve equity and tap into a wider talent pool. Experts earlier mentioned that skills-based hiring may replace traditional resumes.
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Disclosure: Outsource Accelerator uses AI tools in the backend of its editorial workflow. Every article is reviewed and verified by a human editor before publication.
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