JFF CEO Maria Flynn was recently quoted in an EdSurge article discussing a question that policymakers are wrestling with these days: Is it essential to have a college degree in order to have rewarding career opportunities, or do workers just need skills they develop through work and life experiences to be considered qualified for a job?

The Trump administration has largely embraced the idea that skills should outweigh diplomas in the job market. Among other actions that reflect that outlook, the White House issued an executive order directing the government to reduce the use of minimum education requirements for filling federal job opportunities.

“I thought it was an important first step,” Flynn said about the executive order, adding that she would like to see it expanded to apply to federal contractors as well. “Assuming the Biden administration continues to push on that, we’ll start to see some real important shifts in the federal hiring process.”