Governor Newsom’s new workforce plan opens doors for veterans, tradespeople, and career changers across the state.
In a bold move to reshape California’s workforce landscape, Governor Gavin Newsom is reaffirming his commitment to inclusive economic opportunity by promoting skills-based hiring and removing barriers for non-college degree holders across the state.
During a recent visit to Modesto Junior College, Newsom continued his push for what he calls a “fundamental reimagining” of how Californians access career pathways. The visit highlighted the next phase of his California Master Plan for Career Education, which emphasizes hands-on training, career technical education (CTE), and the removal of college degree requirements for thousands of state jobs.
Back in December 2024, Newsom first announced that California would no longer require four-year degrees for roughly 30,000 state jobs. This landmark policy aligned California with a growing national movement—also seen in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland—toward valuing practical experience and demonstrable skills over formal credentials.
Now, as the plan expands, Newsom says the state is looking to double that number, potentially unlocking even more opportunities for veterans, career changers, and young people who pursue non-traditional education paths.
Central to the state’s strategy is the development of a Career Passport—a digital platform that documents and showcases an individual’s skills, training, and work experience, regardless of academic background. This passport aims to serve as a résumé alternative that better reflects the capabilities of Californians in real-world work settings.
At Modesto Junior College, Newsom spoke alongside local leaders, educators, and workforce officials about the urgent need to support industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and public safety through specialized, skills-based training. “Only 37% of California adults have a four-year degree,” Newsom noted, “and in places like Stanislaus County, that number drops to 24%. Yet, talent and potential exist everywhere.”
The plan also includes a strong focus on veterans, pledging support for 30,000 military service members by offering academic credit for the skills they gained in service. This effort not only speeds up their pathways to new careers but also strengthens the workforce with highly trained individuals who bring discipline, leadership, and technical experience.
State leaders—including Assembly Education Committee Chair Al Muratsuchi and Labor Secretary Stewart Knox—joined Newsom in championing the plan’s regional collaboration efforts. These include tighter integration between K-12 schools, community colleges, and local employers to create internships, apprenticeships, and other forms of work-based learning.
The Master Plan represents a shift in how California values education and experience—focusing less on paper qualifications and more on the real-world abilities of its people. It’s an approach gaining bipartisan support nationwide and one that Newsom believes is essential for building a “more inclusive and resilient economy.”
“Life won’t be over for those lacking a four-year degree,” Newsom said in Modesto. “We’re building a California where talent, not titles, leads the way.”
