State of the Paper Ceiling 2026 | Opportunity@Work

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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.
Expand skills-based job pathways
Opportunity@Work has disproved the myth that "no degree means no skills."
Adopt skills-based talent practices in the public sector
Why skills-based talent practices matter in the public sector
Leverage 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.
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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.
Join the Regional Leadership Exchange
Help shape the future of your region’s workforce.
See STARs Insights on Lightcast
Make skills-first hiring decisions with better labor market data.
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 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.
Newsroom
Opportunity@Work in the news.
Our supporters
View the many organizations that offer generous support and partnership.
Meet the team
Our people are passionate, driven, and skilled.
Read the blog
Blog
Read the latest thinking from Opportunity@Work experts.

Search
Search
Subscribe
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.
Expand skills-based job pathways
Opportunity@Work has disproved the myth that "no degree means no skills."
Adopt skills-based talent practices in the public sector
Why skills-based talent practices matter in the public sector
Leverage 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 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.
Join the Regional Leadership Exchange
Help shape the future of your region’s workforce.
See STARs Insights on Lightcast
Make skills-first hiring decisions with better labor market data.
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 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.
Newsroom
Opportunity@Work in the news.
Our supporters
View the many organizations that offer generous support and partnership.
Meet the team
Our people are passionate, driven, and skilled.
Read the blog
Blog
Read the latest thinking from Opportunity@Work experts.

Search
Search
Subscribe
Donate
Donate

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Learn more about the State of the Paper Ceiling

Learn more about the State of the Paper Ceiling

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STARs

Who are STARs?
STAR Stories

Topics

Improve economic mobility and opportunity
Implement skills-first hiring
Expand skills-based job pathways
Adopt skills-based talent practices in the public sector
Leverage 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
Join the Regional Leadership Exchange
See STARs Insights on Lightcast
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
Newsroom
Our supporters
Blog

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