On April 10, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 327, which expands job opportunities by “prioritizing skills and work experience over college degree requirements for certain State employment opportunities.” 

The New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC) will identify job classifications that require college degrees and determine which can be revised under the State’s classification plan. 

This will open the door to high-paying jobs with salaries as much as $120,000 a year for hundreds of applicants who have been denied due to educational requirements. 

“Every American should have the ability to attain a good job with growth opportunities and secure their place in the middle class, regardless of whether or not they have a college degree. Employment qualifications for good-paying jobs in our state workforce should not exclude individuals with qualifying experience, unique skill sets, and diverse backgrounds,” said Governor Murphy.  

“Today, we open the door to that opportunity for applicants across our state, and urge other states, as well as private sector employers, to remove barriers to opportunity,” he added.

New Jersey joins Maryland, Alaska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Utah in de-emphasising having a college degree as a requirement for employment. These states are part of a national trend to do this in both the public and private sectors. 

“The New Jersey Civil Service Commission is honored to be tasked with implementing such an important initiative. Coming from a working-class background myself, Governor Murphy’s signing of this Executive Order is meaningful to me, both personally and professionally,” said Allison Chris Myers, Civil Service Commission Acting Chair/CEO.

“This Executive Order recognizes the importance and weight that practical work experience and skills training hold in a society that prioritizes the 4-year degree for many entry level positions. I am excited to witness all of the new opportunities that will open up to New Jersey’s residents as a result of this order. This will truly go a long way in achieving Governor Murphy’s promise of a stronger and fairer New Jersey,” she continued. 

The order took effect immediately, with a six-month period that will allow the CSC to identify positions where a college degree is not a necessity and change the job postings so they align with the order. 
Byron Auguste, CEO, Opportunity@Work said, “Nearly 2 million New Jerseyeans are STARs - workers skilled through alternative routes, rather than through a bachelor's degree. Governor Murphy’s commitment to skills-first hiring will enable the State of New Jersey to benefit from the skills and talents of New Jersey STARs, while creating pathways to good jobs and careers for hard-working New Jersey residents. With this executive order, New Jersey is sending the message 'if you can do the job, you can get the job.”