[toomuchtodo]

Funding education through employer taxes based on the education requirements they desire was an idea that I heard that might have some merit. You want someone with a bachelors? You pay X amount per year for that employee. A masters? Even more. You expose the employer to the cost of their desire, and thereby suss out if it is a want or a genuine need. Very similar to carbon taxes.

If the tax is more expensive than on the job training, employees will get on the job training, possibly through an apprenticeship.

[MattGaiser]

Would that alter employer behavior or just job descriptions?

They could just set their employer talent management system to filter out applicants without those degrees.

[toomuchtodo]

If you employ them, and they have the credential, you still pay the tax regardless of job req contents.