CA governor shares plan to drop college degree requirement for 30,000 state jobs

CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom shared, December 16, the final plan that will make it easier for Californians to receive college credit for their work experience.

In addition, he announced that the state removed college degree or other educational requirements for nearly 30,000 state jobs.

“California is working to ensure that every person has what they need to get a well-paying, long-lasting job so we can build an economy for the future that supports all families,” said Newsom in a statement.

Shifting hiring practices to skills over degrees

Newsom’s Master Plan for Career Education includes a Career Passport that they say will help shift hiring practices toward valuing skills over degrees.

“The digital tool will combine traditional academic records, like college transcripts, with verified skills and credentials earned outside the classroom, such as military service, job training, or volunteer work,” said Newsom’s office in a statement.

It goes on to say that this Learning and Employment Record (LER), provides a mechanism for workers to demonstrate skills already learned.

Employers will be able to use the Career Passport to see a record of a person’s abilities.

250,000 Californians will benefit from college credit for work experience

Newsom also proposes to scale the state’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) effort to make it easier for Californians — especially veterans and military members — to turn their work experience into college credit.

“For example, veterans could earn credit for skills learned during military training, or students who volunteered through a service corps could apply their experience toward their education once this effort is implemented,” said Newsom’s office.

They say while some colleges already award credit for prior experience, this new effort aims to create a statewide system so more people can benefit.

The budget investment is expected to benefit 250,000 Californians, including 30,000 veterans.

Removing barriers to state employment

During the one-hour press conference, the governor also announced the state has now removed college degrees or other certain educational requirements for nearly 30,000 state jobs.

The California Human Resources Department (CalHR) evaluates whether a college degree or other educational requirements are necessary for a position.

The proposal for an additional 32,000 positions statewide is currently being negotiated with employee unions and will be submitted for approval in 2025.

$100 million budget

The Master Plan for Career Education’s $100 million budget will be supported by funding in the upcoming state budget.

For more information on state jobs that don’t require a degree visit https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Jobs/NoDegreeRequired.aspx