Ohio’s workforce may benefit from new legislation easing federal job qualifications

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Studies show that there is a critical demand for trade skills in the United States, as more students are choosing a university education.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has introduced legislation that will make it easier for people to obtain federal jobs without a traditional, four-year college degree.

Approximately 70 percent of workers in the state of Ohio do not have a bachelor’s degree.

By utilizing the Federal Jobs for STARs Act, Brown is aiming to encourage the hiring process based on skill, rather than a specific degree.

“We need to remove unnecessary educational requirements and fight the idea that a bachelor’s degree is the only way to develop valuable job skills,” Brown said. “Our bill would create more opportunities for skilled, experienced Ohioans who have gone to community college or a trade school, who have on-the-job experience, or who have served in the military.”

If the bill is signed into law, where would that put local institutions like Belmont College?

Dr. Heather Davis, who serves as the vice president of academic affairs at the college, says they could see a spike in student interest.

“I think that it hopefully will impact our enrollment at Belmont College,” Davis said. “But we will continue to do what we do best, which is provide the community with what they need in order to get skilled and productive employees.”

And despite the termination of Eastern Gateway Community College hitting hard in the region, many students are still pursuing trade school certifications — some even finishing at Belmont College.

“I think the mindset is starting to change,” Davis said. “I think, traditionally in the past, people have pushed a university degree, but now I think people are starting to understand the value of trade school.

“You know, electricians, plumbers, we will always need them in the world, so I think the mindset is starting to change.”

If passed, the Federal Jobs for STARs Act would remove educational requirements from federal civil service jobs, except for positions where the U.S. Office of Personnel Management decides they are necessary.