Kick off the new year with a policy-focused conversation featuring federal and state elected officials who are leading efforts to remove outdated and unnecessary degree requirements from public-sector jobs. 

We’ll also dive into Opportunity@Work’s Policy Agenda for a skills-based labor market, a roadmap designed to help governments expand economic opportunity for more than 70 million people Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs).

Participants will gain insight into how policy momentum is reshaping public-sector talent systems and expanding access to good jobs.

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What You’ll Gain From This Session

• Direct Policymaker Insight: Hear from leaders sponsoring legislation to remove degree requirements and the challenges they are solving.
• Policy Trends: A clear overview of recent federal, state, and local shifts and what they signal for the future of hiring.
• 2026 Outlook: A forward-looking view of upcoming policy opportunities and where further action is needed to institutionalize skills-based practices.
• Actionable Guidance: Practical takeaways on applying these trends to your daily work, messaging, and stakeholder alignment

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Who Should Attend

• Government leaders at the local, state, or federal level exploring skills-based talent practices
• Policy advisors and legislative staff interested in STARs, apprenticeships, or workforce modernization
• Labor, workforce, and economic development officials shaping hiring or training policy
• HR, talent, and workforce professionals in public agencies
• Public-sector training and education partners supporting government workforce pipelines
• Anyone working in government who wants to understand how skills-based practices are evolving
  

This session will help you translate policy momentum into meaningful change—ensuring STARs gain greater access to good jobs, mobility, and economic opportunity, and that your organization is positioned to lead in a skills-first future.

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Speakers