The new policy was adopted, in large part, to significantly increase the number of students who go to college in the midst of a national hiring trend that’s requiring more employees to have postsecondary degrees.
Since the Supreme Court decided it is racially discriminatory to give people aptitude tests for jobs (Griggs vs. Duke Power) the employers must rely on something else to measure the quality of applicants. A college diploma was the replacement for the aptitude test. That is why so many employers want a college degree for positions that should not require one. They avoid running afoul of the federal racial discrimination police.
Does that not apply to government? I know the police and fire depts here still have a bunch of aptitude and physical tests.