Page Inspect
Internal Links
39
External Links
9
Images
39
Headings
23
Page Content
Title:Opportunity@Work | Advocating for a skills-first labor market
Description:Right now, over 70 million skilled workers are overlooked simply because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree. Learn how Opportunity@Work helps STARs — job candidates skilled through alternative routes.
HTML Size:254 KB
Markdown Size:13 KB
Fetched At:November 18, 2025
Page Structure
h1It's time to create a labor market where all talent can shine
h2A skills-first labor market means more opportunities for American workers
h2STARs have the skills employers need
h2We aim to generate $100 billion in wage gains for STARs
h2STARs Research and Data
h2STARs Talent Category Narrative
h2STAR-Inclusive Tech Tools
h2STAR-Centered Networks
h2Invest in our mission
h2Join the STARs Public Sector Hub
h2Share your STAR story
h2LaShana Lewis, STAR
h2Microsoft
h2State of Colorado
h1Latest Updates
h2Join Our Newsletter
h2Footer
h3Follow us
h3STARs
h3Topics
h3Take Action
h3Impact
h3About
Markdown Content
Opportunity@Work | Advocating for a skills-first labor market Skip to main content - stars All about STARs Over 70M Americans are Skilled Through Alternative Routes. - Who are STARs? Learn about this skilled, yet often overlooked, group of individuals. - STAR Stories Get inspired by the trials and triumphs of real STARs. - TOPICS Topics Perspectives on our key areas of focus. - Improve economic mobility and opportunity Together we can transform labor market outcomes for workers and employers. - Implement skills-first hiring Prioritizing skills helps businesses find high-quality talent. - Expanding skills-based job pathways Opportunity@Work has disproved the myth that "no degree means no skills." - Skills-based talent practices in the public sector Why skills-based talent practices matter in the public sector - AI in a skills-first labor market AI can expand visibility into opportunities and recommend tailored pathways to higher-wage work. - Rewire HR tech for a skills-first future Job tech platforms that elevate STARs' skills can drive inclusion and win in a shifting market. Button TextButton Text Research Hub See all research from Opportunity@Work - take action Take Action Start making change right now. - Partner with us Learn about Opportunity@Work's capabilities. - Invest in our mission Join philanthropic partners in funding the skills-first movement. - Join the STARs Public Sector Hub Get resources for federal, state, and local government leaders. - Drive policy change for a skills-based labor market Design, implement, and advocate for policies to build a skills-based labor market. - Tear the Paper Ceiling Inspire the nation through our public awareness campaign. - impact Our impact STARs are the biggest untapped opportunity in the American labor market. - State of the Paper Ceiling Our collective progress toward re-wiring the labor market. - STAR Mobility Compass Our research-backed roadmap to greater opportunity for STARs. - Case studies How America's leading organizations are creating pathways for STARs. - Measuring progress Key metrics tracking our impact on the labor market Learn MoreLearn More Activating Talent in the Public Sector Putting skills first can open opportunities for over 1.5 million more STARs in good-paying, public sector jobs by 2030. - about About us We're dedicated to advancing economic opportunities for STARs. - About Opportunity@Work Learn about our mission, history, and team. - Careers Join our dedicated team. - Contact us Reach out to Opportunity@Work. - Media Center See our latest news and updates. - Our supporters View the many organizations that offer generous support and partnership. - Meet the team Our people are passionate, driven, and skilled. Read the blogRead the blog Blog Read the latest thinking from Opportunity@Work experts. - Search Search Search - SubscribeSubscribe Subscribe Subscribe - DonateDonate Donate Donate DonateDonate Donate Donate - stars All about STARs Over 70M Americans are Skilled Through Alternative Routes. - Who are STARs? Learn about this skilled, yet often overlooked, group of individuals. - STAR Stories Get inspired by the trials and triumphs of real STARs. - TOPICS Topics Perspectives on our key areas of focus. - Improve economic mobility and opportunity Together we can transform labor market outcomes for workers and employers. - Implement skills-first hiring Prioritizing skills helps businesses find high-quality talent. - Expanding skills-based job pathways Opportunity@Work has disproved the myth that "no degree means no skills." - Skills-based talent practices in the public sector Why skills-based talent practices matter in the public sector - AI in a skills-first labor market AI can expand visibility into opportunities and recommend tailored pathways to higher-wage work. - Rewire HR tech for a skills-first future Job tech platforms that elevate STARs' skills can drive inclusion and win in a shifting market. Button TextButton Text Research Hub See all research from Opportunity@Work - take action Take Action Start making change right now. - Partner with us Learn about Opportunity@Work's capabilities. - Invest in our mission Join philanthropic partners in funding the skills-first movement. - Join the STARs Public Sector Hub Get resources for federal, state, and local government leaders. - Drive policy change for a skills-based labor market Design, implement, and advocate for policies to build a skills-based labor market. - Tear the Paper Ceiling Inspire the nation through our public awareness campaign. - impact Our impact STARs are the biggest untapped opportunity in the American labor market. - State of the Paper Ceiling Our collective progress toward re-wiring the labor market. - STAR Mobility Compass Our research-backed roadmap to greater opportunity for STARs. - Case studies How America's leading organizations are creating pathways for STARs. - Measuring progress Key metrics tracking our impact on the labor market Learn MoreLearn More Activating Talent in the Public Sector Putting skills first can open opportunities for over 1.5 million more STARs in good-paying, public sector jobs by 2030. - about About us We're dedicated to advancing economic opportunities for STARs. - About Opportunity@Work Learn about our mission, history, and team. - Careers Join our dedicated team. - Contact us Reach out to Opportunity@Work. - Media Center See our latest news and updates. - Our supporters View the many organizations that offer generous support and partnership. - Meet the team Our people are passionate, driven, and skilled. Read the blogRead the blog Blog Read the latest thinking from Opportunity@Work experts. - Search Search Search - SubscribeSubscribe Subscribe Subscribe - DonateDonate Donate Donate DonateDonate Donate Donate # It's time to create a labor market where all talent can shine Together we're advancing skills-first solutions for STARs — workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes. What we doWhat we do What we do What we do Invest in our missionInvest in our mission Invest in our mission Invest in our mission Kelly, STAR 70M+ workers in the U.S. are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) Brandon, STAR Paige, STAR 7.4M good paying jobs were made inaccessible to STARs in the last 20 years Courtney, STAR Kelly, STAR 70M+ workers in the U.S. are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) Brandon, STAR Paige, STAR 7.4M good paying jobs were made inaccessible to STARs in the last 20 years Courtney, STAR Ricky, STAR 50% of all workers in the U.S. are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) Barbara, STAR Katya, STAR 30M+ STARs have the skills for jobs that pay more, but are blocked by the paper ceiling Debrena, STAR Ricky, STAR 50% of all workers in the U.S. are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) Barbara, STAR Paige, STAR 30M+ STARs have the skills for jobs that pay more, but are blocked by the paper ceiling Debrena, STAR Play Video Play Video ## A skills-first labor market means more opportunities for American workers Not that long ago, STARs provided employers with a reliable pipeline of skilled talent. In exchange, companies provided pathways to upward economic mobility for STARs. Yet over the past 20 years, STARs have been denied access to almost 7.4 million middle- and high-wage jobs, while employers can't find the talent they need for critical roles. Together we can reverse the trend. Read More Read More Read MoreRead More ## STARs have the skills employers need Half of the U.S. workforce has earned skills on-the-job or through military service, community college, and certificate programs, rather than a bachelor's degree. Those skills qualify them for good-paying jobs, but barriers persist. Who are STARS? Who are STARS? Who are STARS?Who are STARS? ## We aim to generate $100 billion in wage gains for STARs Opportunity@Work is raising awareness and driving action by providing insights, customized tools, and services to advance skills-first hiring practices so STARs can thrive. Alongside our partners we're working to enable upward mobility for 1 million STARs by opening up 10 million good-paying jobs, and boost their earnings by 100 billion dollars by 2035. We're making progress, but no organization can do this alone – we must work together, on purpose. Read our impact report Read our impact report Read our impact reportRead our impact report Our Solutions ## STARs Research and Data Our analytical and research capabilities inform the nation’s understanding of STARs' potential and uncover insights that show how to make positive economic change within regions and industries. Read more Read more Read moreRead more ## STARs Talent Category Narrative We reverse misperceptions and correct the narrative about STARs and their skills through public advocacy, including our national advertising campaign, “Tear the Paper Ceiling.” read more read more read moreread more ## STAR-Inclusive Tech Tools We scale skills-first solutions with our talent tech partners by delivering STARs data and insights – enhanced by generative AI – through our “STARSight” tools and APIs. read more read more read moreread more ## STAR-Centered Networks Opportunity@Work activates multi-sector networks – such as our Tear the Paper Ceiling Coalition and our STARs Public Sector Hub – across public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations to pilot and mainstream skills-first practices. read more read more read moreread more Kelly and Danielle, STARs Get Involved Find out moreFind out more Katya, STAR ## Invest in our mission Join other leading philanthropies in addressing one of our country’s most pressing economic challenges. Find out more Find out more Find out moreFind out more ## Join the STARs Public Sector Hub Federal, state, and local government leaders have access to resources, data, and a community of experts addressing their most pressing workforce challenges with STARs. Find out more Find out more Find out moreFind out more Join the 'Tear the Paper Ceiling' Coalition Dozens of America’s most respected companies are vocally supporting STARs and developing their own skills-first strategies. Find out more Find out more Find out moreFind out more Sam, STAR ## Share your STAR story Join our national public awareness campaign and share your story—as a STAR or as someone who believes every STAR can shine. Find out more Find out more Success Stories read her storyread her story People told LaShana Lewis that she's "one in a million." But she knew she's actually *one of millions*. ## LaShana Lewis, STAR read her story read her story read the case studyread the case study A dedicated sales academy opens doors for STARs while meeting key business needs. ## Microsoft read the case study read the case study read the case studyread the case study A statewide initiative reimagines talent practices to build a more inclusive, future-ready workforce. ## State of Colorado read the case study read the case study # **Latest Updates** Media CenterMedia Center Media Center Media Center Read MoreRead More Coalition of Nearly 50 Organizations Launches ‘Tear the Paper Ceiling’ Campaign to Raise Awareness Around the 70+ Million Workers in the U.S. Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) *Nonprofits the Ad Council and Opportunity@Work lead landmark partnership of employers, talent developers and nonprofits on behalf of the majority of U.S. workers without a bachelor’s degree* Read More Read More Read MoreRead More The STARs Report Unlocking STAR Mobility in the Public Sector Read More Read More Read MoreRead More Building the Future Workforce: Skills-Based Hiring and GovHR Innovations Opportunity@Work's SVP of Public Sector & Policy, Blair Corcoran de Castillo, joins Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Partnership for Public Service, Michelle Amante, on the FedUpward podcast. Read More Read More ## Join Our Newsletter Sign up for exclusive insights, industry news, upcoming webinars, and events SubmitSubmit Submit Submit Thank you for signing up! Your submission has been received! Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. ## Footer ### Follow us - - - - ### STARs - Who are STARs? - STAR Stories ### Topics - Improve economic mobility and opportunity - Implement skills-first hiring - Expanding skills-based job pathways - Skills-based talent practices in the public sector - AI in a skills-first labor market - Rewire HR tech for a skills-first future - Research Hub ### Take Action - Partner with us - Invest in our mission - Join the STARs Public Sector Hub - Drive policy change for a skills-based labor market - Tear the Paper Ceiling - Donate ### Impact - State of the Paper Ceiling - STAR Mobility Compass - Case studies - Measuring progress ### About - About Opportunity@Work - Careers - Contact us - Press center - Our supporters - Blog