Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Federal Job Opportunities for Qualified Workers

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), and Congressman John McGuire (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan Federal Jobs for STARs Act yesterday, to modernize federal hiring by reducing unnecessary bachelor's degree requirements for many federal jobs and helping ensure qualified workers who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) can compete for federal jobs based on their skills and experience.

Nearly two-thirds of American adults do not have a bachelor's degree, yet millions have developed valuable skills through military service, apprenticeships, community college, career and technical education, and on-the-job training. The Federal Jobs for STARs Act would help ensure the federal government recruits talent based on skills and experience while preserving bachelor's degree requirements for positions where they are genuinely necessary.

"Hiring practices that require traditional educational experience leave talent and opportunity on the table for employers and employees," said Congresswoman Janelle Bynum. "Skilled workers can come from military service, technical education, apprenticeships, or certification programs - not just four-year degree programs."

"Qualified Americans should not be denied a fair opportunity to compete for federal jobs simply because they don't have a bachelor's degree," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "For millions of Americans, that unnecessary barrier has become a 'paper ceiling' separating them from federal jobs they are fully qualified to perform. The federal government should lead by example by evaluating applicants based on whether they have the skills and experience to do the job-not simply whether they have a four-year degree. This bipartisan bill will help recruit the best talent into public service while expanding opportunity for qualified Americans."

"College degrees aren't the only way that workers gain valuable skills and experience. Through apprenticeships, military service, and on-the-job experience, Americans are building the skills our federal workforce needs. Unfortunately, excessive degree requirements are preventing countless workers from putting that experience to work on behalf of taxpayers. That's why the Federal Jobs for STARs Act opens the door for talented workers who built their skills outside the classroom - helping to ensure that federal hiring is based on merit, not just credentials," said Congressman Mackenzie.

"Our country is home to some of the best and brightest workers," said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05). "Yet, too often, talented men and women are blocked from joining the federal workforce due to the lack of a college degree. There are many ways to gain relevant experience, including military service, on the job training, and apprenticeships. Qualified candidates should be able to apply for jobs, despite lacking educational degree attainment. This bill ensures the most qualified applicants are given a chance to play a role in our nation's success and recognizes that education shouldn't be a barrier for an otherwise qualified individual to join the federal workforce."

"One of the core principles of our government is that hiring in the civil service is based on merit. The Federal Jobs for Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) Act advances this principle by removing unnecessarily restrictive degree requirements, opening opportunities for qualified applicants and creating the largest hiring pool. By expanding the talent pipeline, this legislation ensures the federal government can address workforce shortages and hire the best candidates possible, while respecting educational or licensing requirements when necessary. Thank you to Representatives Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Mackenzie (R-PA), Bynum (D-OR), and McGuire (R-VA) for their leadership in supporting the federal workforce," said Randy Erwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees.

"The Federal Jobs for STARs Act is an important step toward ensuring that federal hiring reflects what matters most: the skills, experience, and ability to do the job," said Blair Corcoran de Castillo, Senior Vice President of Public Sector & Policy at Opportunity@Work. "More than 70 million Americans are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs), having developed valuable skills through military service, apprenticeships, community college, workforce training, and years of experience. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that all workers with the skills for the job can compete for federal careers."

The Federal Jobs for STARs Act would:

• Reduce unnecessary bachelor's degree requirements for many federal jobs while preserving degree requirements where they are genuinely necessary.
• Direct the Office of Personnel Management to establish skills-based qualifications that recognize military service, apprenticeships, community college, career training, and other alternative pathways.
• Create a dedicated hiring pathway on USAJobs for STARs.
• Require a government-wide study on additional training, education, and career development opportunities for STAR employees.
• Original cosponsors include: Representatives Troy Downing (R-MT), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA).

The text of the bill is available HERE.