Our current hiring practices systematically underutilize the skills of millions of U.S. workers, deepening the economic divide between those with and without college degrees.

Policies at the national and state levels have helped lead the way in skills-based hiring, but much more is needed to ensure that non-degree workers have the same economic opportunities as those with degrees.

The federal government should focus on implementation, include contractors in these efforts, and lean on the EEOC to ensure its policies are not inadvertently hindering opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

The actions outlined here can help move the needle in the public sector, influence other employers across the country and ensure economic opportunity is shared for all American workers — that is something both parties can come together on.