Skills Are Important

President Trump signed an executive order saying that skills and not just a college degree will be used in hiring decisions for federal jobs.  This is a great thing for those of us that don't have a college degree, but do have a lifetime of work experience and skills.  A college education is important, but not more important than skills learned in the workforce or military.  There isn't one person who has recently graduated college that has my level knowledge or skills in my industry.  They do start off ahead of me compared to when I started out in the workforce.  And a college education gives them a great foundation to start.  But someone who has 10 plus years of work experience will be as qualified or more than someone who recently graduated college.  And that is why this is good.  It looks at everyone as an individual based on their overall background and not just based on a degree.  There are many talented people both with and without degrees.  And when you are hiring people you should hire based on the total person.  You should look at education, work experience, life skills, and good old fashion common sense.  This should set a good precedent for businesses too, as they may look to more workers that might have the experience and skills needed, but just not the formal education.