Louisiana Joins Expanded National Skills-First Accelerator as Governments Triple Efforts to Implement Skills-Based Hiring HIFT Highlights SHIFT Highlights SHIFT Highlights SHIFT Highlights SHIFT
Louisiana joins 14 other governments in the ongoing initiative to hire, advance, and retain workers based on skills rather than degrees
Louisiana State Civil Service, representing the State of Louisiana, today announced that it has joined an expanded coalition of state and city governments working to implement skills-first talent practices as part of the “Transformers in the Public Sector” initiative, a growing cohort led by the nonprofit social enterprise Opportunity@Work and supported by the Volcker Alliance. The accelerator has tripled from five to 15 participating governments as states and cities seek proven strategies to hire, advance, and retain workers who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs), such as community college, military service, or on-the-job training, rather than a bachelor's degree. “Louisiana has an incredible opportunity to lead by example in transforming how we recruit, hire, and promote talent across our state agencies,” said Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., Director of Louisiana State Civil Service. “Through this initiative, we can create new pathways for STARs to contribute to critical public-sector roles. By applying the insights and support from the cohort, we'll expand opportunities for STARs, strengthen our workforce, and enhance how we meet the needs of our state .” Among the 1.9 million people who make up the Louisiana workforce, 1 million are STARs, representing 59% of workers who are too often overlooked in hiring processes that rely on degrees and credentials rather than skills and capabilities. The expansion comes as participating states work to fill over 255,000 jobs they've opened through executive and legislative action, with 100% of inaugural participants renewing and 10 new governments joining – including the initiative's first city partner. Over the next 12 months, leaders from the Louisiana State Civil Service will collaborate with peers from Alaska, Arizona, California, CapMetro in Austin, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming, receiving targeted support focused on refining and implementing skillsfirst talent strategies. As part of Track 1, Louisiana will receive intensive hands-on technical assistance designed for teams actively driving implementation of skills-based practices in priority roles, including budget/finance, HR/data analysis, and IT/ cybersecurity. The state will benefit from tailored coaching sessions, customized guidance from dedicated experts, and hands-on support, such as reviewing job descriptions, stakeholder surveys, and workforce data to ensure the successful implementation of skills-first practices.
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State Civil Service Spotlight | March 2026
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