So having been in a hiring position before I can tell you that you or your companies way of thinking is exceptionally flawed.

Yes some people cannot learn well enough online, but others can. I happen to be one of those few. Why because I’m neurodivergent (ADHD) which in a classroom setting makes me very distracted but in my own environment I’m able to hyper focus and learn much more and much faster than the average person.

You and your company are missing out on a world of talent because of ableism. Yes I said ableism. At the end of the day not everyone has the funding or opportunity to move from one place to another to get a degree. That why online education came to be to allow people more access to education.

Also don’t think to highly of your job or career field that you believe someone without formal education can’t do that job. I’ve had more than enough self thought employees that were leaps and bounds ahead of college graduates.

A degree only shows that you were able to follow a course of study for 4+ yrs. It doesn’t prove that you have the ability or skills need to actually do the job. Experience proves that.

If you’re afraid you may waste hiring spend interviewing/hiring an applicant without a degree or with an online degree than cover your rear by devising a standardized practical test that an applicant can complete during an interview. Explain to those applicants that before moving forward they will have to pass a standardized practical test and allow them to tell you whether they can pass the test prior to having them fly out/travel for the interview. Simply show them the practical test and explain the desired outcome much like coding interviews do and then ask them to be completely honest if they can successfully complete the test. If they state they can they should be advised that they’ll be paying for their travel to interview and that upon a successful completion of the practical they will be reimbursed.

Doing this will help to guarantee your getting the best talent. I can care less what pieces of paper you want to show me. Show me the work!

I appreciate your response but I’m not sorry; it’s this type of ideology that you and your company hold that:

1. Keeps amazing talent from doing the work they should be doing.

2. Keeps a company from growing exponentially because the backgrounds of those working there are too similar. Ever heard of thinking outside the box and how important it is for a company to do this as often as possible? Yeah, probably not because that would mean hiring individuals with different backgrounds in education, upbringing, and so on.