A four-year degree will no longer be required to apply for a majority of jobs at one of Minnesota’s largest employers — state government.

Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order Monday that will open up an estimated 75% of jobs with the state to people without a bachelor’s degree, a move he hopes will help tackle an immediate workforce crunch and make it easier for more people to choose a career in the public sector.

“We’ve always said it, now we’re just showing it: We value work, we value experience and we want you to come in and be a part of this,” Walz said before signing the order, which is effective immediately.

State government is Minnesota’s second-largest employer with a workforce of about 38,000 people, not including those working for colleges and universities.