NEW RESEARCH

Navigating with the STARs: Reimagining Equitable Pathways to Mobility

The COVID-19 crisis lays bare the deficiencies in our labor market. STARs comprise two thirds of our essential workforce and yet they continue to experience the decades-long trends in wage decline and limited upward mobility. We must reimagine our approach to our workforce to achieve an equitable recovery.

Read the Research

THURSDAY, 4/29 11:30AM ET: Join us for a LinkedIn Live conversation with Byron Auguste, and Yscaira J., moderated by Jeff Livingston on how to create a talent ecosystem that provides opportunities for STARs.

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STARs: Skilled Through Alternative Routes

Millions of Americans are locked out of better jobs simply because they lack a four-year degree. Yet these workers have skills that companies desperately need – skills they developed through military service, in training programs, at community colleges, on the job, or through other alternatives to college. It’s time for more employers to recognize and value individuals who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs).

Learn more about STARs

We're re-wiring the labor market so that STARs can work, learn and earn to their full potential.

Our Approach

At Opportunity@Work, we envision a world where STARs have a fair chance to achieve the American Dream — with fulfilling jobs, rewarding careers, and better lives for themselves and their families.

Here’s how we’ll realize that vision:

Awaken

We are awakening companies to the value of STARs’ talent.

With a community of partners, we are gathering, sharing, and publishing data-driven insights that raise STARs’ visibility and change perceptions of workers without a four-year degree.

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Connect

We are connecting employers with STARs.

We are connecting employers with training providers and STARs through the rapid scaling of our online marketplace which will make it faster and easier for employers to hire STARs.

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Accelerate

We are accelerating learning and investment in support of STARs.

We are inviting partners to share insights, and test solutions on behalf of STARs, sharing what we learn with the entire workforce development field.

Join Us!

Stay connected as we work to expand career opportunities for STARs!

Our Partners

Opportunity@Work appreciates the vital support from our partners and supporters.

Latest Updates

New Collaborative Calls Upon Bay Area Employers to Create Career Opportunities for All

Workday Foundation, JFF, Opportunity@Work, SkillUp Coalition Launch Bay Area Opportunity Onramps to Help 5,000 Workers Without College Degrees Restart Their Careers

Seven Funders Look to the STARs to Advance Economic Mobility and Racial Equity

$5+ million funding round demonstrates a significant commitment to workers Skilled Through Alternate Routes (STARs)

Economic Mobility Leaders Join Forces to Meet Growing Demand for Workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes

Opportunity@Work announces the acquisition of LaborX to accelerate equitable economic recovery; expand opportunity for the more than 70 million STARs

Creating Pathways to the Digital Economy for STARs with Google.org

$1.5 million in support from Google.org marks latest significant investment in the growing STARs movement.