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January 18, 2023 - Harrisburg, PA

Governor Shapiro Signs First Executive Order, Announcing 92 Percent of Commonwealth Jobs Do Not Require a Four-Year Degree

On his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that effective immediately, 92 percent of state government jobs - about 65,000 positions - do not require a four-year college degree. As part of that announcement, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-03, the first of his Administration, instructing the Office of Administration to emphasize skills and experience in Commonwealth job postings and ordering a review of the remaining 8 percent of state government jobs that currently require a four-year degree, many of which are required statutorily required.

Governor Shapiro also ordered all state agencies under his jurisdiction to take steps to emphasize work experience in their hiring. As part of that order, the Shapiro Administration launched a new website where applicants can easily search among the thousands of open positions that don't require a four-year degree. That website is now linked from the homepage at www.employment.pa.gov.

"Every Pennsylvanian should have the freedom to chart their own course and have a real opportunity to succeed. They should get to decide what's best for them - whether they want to go to college or straight into the workforce -not have that decided for them. Today, we are making sure Pennsylvanians know that the doors of opportunity are wide open to those who want to serve our Commonwealth, regardless of whether or not they have a degree"said Governor Josh Shapiro."I want to make it clear to all Pennsylvanians, whether they went to college or they gained experience through work, job training, or an apprenticeship program: we value your skills and talents, and we want you to apply for a job with the Commonwealth."

Speakers in Order:
Governor Josh Shapiro
Lt. Governor Austin Davis
Beth Christian - Acting Deputy Secretary for Administration, Dept. of General Services
Darice Mayhew - Director of Administration, Office of the Governor
Neil Weaver - Secretary of Administration



Governor Shapiro Signing the Executive Order. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_001.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Shapiro Signing the Executive Order. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_002.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Shapiro Signing the Executive Order. Governor Shapiro Signing the Executive Order. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_003.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Shapiro greeting OA employees.  Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_004.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis speaks with the press. ieutenant Governor Austin Davis speaks with the press. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_005.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_006.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Beth Christian, Commonwealth employee speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_007.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Darice Mayhew, Commonwealth employee speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_008.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and  Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis speak with  commonwealth employees Darice Mayhew, and Beth Christian after the event. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_009.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and  Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis speak with  commonwealth employees Darice Mayhew, and Beth Christian after the event. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_010.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and  Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis speak with  commonwealth employees Darice Mayhew, and Beth Christian after the event. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_011.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_012.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_013.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Beth Christian, Commonwealth employee speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_014.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis speaks with the press. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_015.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro listens as Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis speaks with the press. Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_016.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Darice Mayhew, Commonwealth employee speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_017.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_018.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Acting Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_019.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the press.Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his first executive order regarding four-year degree requirements for thousands of state jobs in Pennsylvania.  HARRISBURG, PA  Wednesday, January 18, 2023.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22542_gov_execorder_dz_020.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>