This is not true. There has been a shift in requirements to combat credential inflation. The average person is not smarter or more capable.

I think you misunderstood his comment, because you agree with him. He's not saying require as in needed to do the work, but required as in unnecessarily needed to be accepted for the job.

Then I agree. I read it as the argument that the economy is actually more technically complex and requires additional education, which is a common argument made be politicians and university admins.

reading skills are important.

So? People can decide if they want the job enough to participate in the degree or not.