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That’s because credentialism has replaced common sense.

Employers won’t hire people based on actual skill or talent or potential ... just based on a piece of paper.

And it doesn’t stop at a college degree. Many employers won’t hire someone without a Masters Degree, regardless of experience and talent.

Because of creeping credentialism a college degree now has the worth of a high school diploma. Where will it end? Will people have to be in school gathering credentials well into their 30’s (and in debt up to the their hair follicles) to be hirable?

The largest employer in our city (CA) has in the past several years promoted Hispanics disproportionately to the former employee make up, our customer base, and the city demographics. Mexicans hire Mexicans and now the business is 80% Hispanic run. They also get away with substandard work and absences. White people now are having to go on welfare or beg a Hispanic for an entry level job. Mexico has won the war.

Don’t like writing this, but it’s fact.

I believe that was the case a few years ago; now employers know the piece of paper may have just been a freebie (particularly with “preferred minorities”. Nowadays I believe companies want to know what you CAN DO, not what your file of paperwork indicates. Of course, some jobs (police officer in many places, military officer) specifically require a piece of paper.

If college classes have been 60% female for years, what did they think was going to happen with the men that were denied access?

There’s another aspect to “credentialism” that people ignore.

The most in-demand credentials in much of the labor market aren’t bachelor’s degrees, master’s or even associate’s. Many of the jobs that go unfilled require six months to a year of highly specialized training beyond high school and result in a certification or credential in fields like advanced manufacturing or cyber security.

Unfortunately, young Americans have been sold on the notion that you can’t be successful without a college degree. So, they borrow vast sums to finance a bachelor’s that has absolutely no market value, or they drop out of school and join the ranks at Starbucks.

I work in higher ed and every day I see scores of young people who would be infinitely better off in a certification, apprenticeship or credential program. Some eventually wind up there, but not nearly enough. The average individual working in the skilled trades is in their late 50s, and there’s going to be a huge shortage in the years ahead. Regrettably, a lot of 20-somethings (and their parents) can appreciate the opportunities that are available, because they worship at the altar of the college degree.

Here’s an example: a student can complete a Level I certification in Mechatronics (advanced manufacturing) in six to nine months. Starting pay is $45K, and most make $60,000 with overtime and full benefits. Go back to school for another six months for a Level II credential and your starting pay is $70K, creating the potential for $85-90K with overtime. Total bill for tuition, books and fees for the initial credential? Less than $4,000 in my state.

One more thing: the employers looking for individuals to fill these jobs aren’t playing the diversity game associated with the public sector, or white collar occupations. These firms are looking for someone who has the required credential and can do the job, regardless of race or gender.