Coming Soon
On April 24th, 2025, Opportunity@Work will unveil a new body of work to measure our collective progress in tearing the paper ceiling for STARs. Landmark research quantifies the movement of STARs through the labor market over time, allowing us to chart past progress and the road ahead. Register now to attend our virtual event.
State of the Paper Ceiling
These past 30 years have seen the construction of a paper ceiling - an invisible barrier limiting opportunities for STARs - workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes. The exclusion of half of all workers from good jobs has had devastating consequences for individuals, families, businesses, and our social fabric.
The State of the Paper Ceiling measures our collective progress and points the way to a better future for millions of STARs.
We are in a moment of opportunity
Over the past five years, Opportunity@Work and our partners in the workforce field have changed the conversation about workers, skills, and economic mobility.
At a time when many experts were lamenting a “skills gap” in the U.S. labor market, we highlighted an "opportunity gap." Through a rigorous skills analysis, we proved that worker skills are not lacking -- in fact, millions of STARs are qualified for higher-wage work. Instead, a variety of barriers to advancement have created a "paper ceiling" that holds STARs back.
Now, as awareness of STARs as a talent category is rising, and a skills-first movement is growing, the country is in a position to rewire the labor market so STARs can work, learn, and earn to their full potential. Let’s seize this moment.
We're moving the movement
Opportunity@Work and our network of private sector, public sector, nonprofit and workforce partners are positively impacting STARs' mobility.
STARs increased their wages by nearly a billion dollars
Across the U.S. labor market, those STARs able to transition to a higher-paying job increased their individual wages by more than $11k in 2023.
STARs experience better mobility within our networks
Employers partnering with Opportunity@Work created 20% more mobility for STARs in 2023
65,000 STARs were hired or promoted within our networks.
10 million STARs can move to higher-paying jobs by 2030
The STAR Mobility Compass offers a look forward at the possibilities that emerge if we work together to move towards a labor market that better accounts for worker skills.
Broader pathways can open opportunities for 3.1M STARs
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Fairly compensating valuable skills could raise wages 5.1M STARs
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New-to-world jobs can open opportunities for 1.8M STARs
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We identified 30 good jobs for STARS - Gateway and Destination jobs where STARs hold roles but are underrepresented.
By increasing the STAR share of hires into these roles by small amounts over the next five years, these roles could collectively present opportunities for 3.1M STARs to move to higher-paying, mobility-creating jobs.
Low wage does not equal low skill. In fact, many low-wage jobs have skills profiles that are identical to higher paying roles.
In a well-functioning labor market, workers with in-demand skills would exit low-paying jobs for higher paying ones. However, multiple inefficiencies in the labor market are inhibiting this kind of mobility and allowing for the undercompensation of valuable skills.
We identified five jobs that if compensated commensurate with similarly skilled work would transform these jobs into gateways rather than deadends.
Over the next five years, there are projected to be 6.4M new jobs that have not existed before. As technologies evolve and artificial intelligence changes the way many tasks are done, new roles will emerge that no workers have prior experience performing.
Based on historical data, we estimate that about 80% of these new-to-world jobs will pay high wages and that, with intentional hiring practices, 30% of these new-to-world high paying roles can be filled by STARs, adding 1.8 million new good jobs for STARs.
STARs Share Their Compass
Read about how Erin's STAR status landed her a position as an Internal Audit Manager... without a bachelor's degree.
Erin
We know how to build a better labor market
Moving 10M STARs into better jobs by 2030 is ambitious, but entirely achievable.
Opportunity@Work has a plan of action, grounded in a robust "ABC" theory of change. Drawing on research about effective social movements, we have documented the theories, actions, and accountability framework that will lead to transformational systemic change. We measure progress across our partner network and the U.S. labor market.
A: It starts with Awareness
Opportunity@Work raises awareness of STARs, the systemic barriers they face, and the value of their skills - shifting perceptions to drive action.
B: Changes in awareness drive Behavior change
Opportunity@Work shifts behavior by equipping employers with strategies to adopt skills-based hiring practices - improving hiring outcomes for STARs.
C: And we see this leading to Changed outcomes for STARs
Opportunity@Work embeds lasting systems change, ensuring sustained STARs mobility and a strengthened labor market.
Partners making an impact
Organizations in Opportunity@Work's networks have proven that hiring STARs benefits everyone, paving the way for true systems change through scalable solutions.
A dedicated sales academy opens doors for STARs while meeting key business needs.
Microsoft
A statewide policy shift removed degree requirements and expanded opportunity for workers across Maryland.
State of Maryland
How data and employer collaboration are shaping inclusive talent strategies in a transitioning economy.
Detroit Regional Partnership
Ready to join the movement?
Systems change cannot happen without large scale investment from our country's philanthropic leaders.
Read the full report
Interested in learning more? The 2025 State of the Paper Ceiling report provides complete detail on the STAR Mobility Compass, our "ABC" theory of change, and the skills-first progress tracker.
