BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Studies show that there is a great demand for manual skills in the United States as more and more students choose to go to college.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced a bill that would make it easier for people without a traditional four-year college degree to get a job in the public sector.
Approximately 70 percent of Ohio’s workforce does not have a bachelor’s degree.
By leveraging the federal Jobs for STARs Act, Brown aims to encourage hiring based on skills rather than a specific degree.
“We must eliminate unnecessary education requirements and combat the notion that a bachelor’s degree is the only way to gain valuable job skills,” Brown said. “Our bill would create more opportunities for qualified, experienced Ohioans who have attended a community college or trade school, have work experience, or have served in the military.”
If the bill becomes law, what about local institutions like Belmont College?
Dr. Heather Davis, the college’s vice president for academic affairs, says student interest will skyrocket.
“I think hopefully this 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 it needs to have a qualified and productive workforce.”
And although the closure of Eastern Gateway Community College hits the region hard, many students continue to pursue vocational degrees – some even completing their studies at Belmont College.
“I think the mindset is starting to change,” Davis said. “I think in the past, people have traditionally pushed for a college degree, but now they’re starting to understand the value of a trade school.”
“We will always need electricians and plumbers in the world. I think the mindset is starting to change.”
If passed, the Federal Jobs for STARs Act would eliminate education requirements for federal civil service positions, except for those positions where the U.S. Office of Personnel determines they are necessary.
