On June 22nd, the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce held a lengthy hearing titled “Competencies Over Degrees – Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy.” The hearing (recording available here) focused on the concept of skills-based hiring and the growing appreciation among public and private employers that a baccalaureate degree is not the only way an individual can be successful in the workforce. Witnesses appearing before the committee noted that skills-based hiring practices would both expand access to good jobs and career progression for workers and provide employers with access to a greater pool of prospective employees. These are concepts that aging services employers have long recognized – not only with respect to initial hiring but also supporting staff to build new skills as they work – but it is important that the committee is discussing them as a matter of public policy. Among other things, the committee expressed support for registered apprenticeship programs, partnerships between employers and community and technical colleges, and building employer access to tools and resources, such as validated skills-assessment tools. While the hearing’s focus was broad and not specific to any particular employment sector, LeadingAge will closely follow the committee’s next steps and work to ensure that Congress is responsive to the needs of aging services employers whenever federal workforce policy discussions are underway.
