Opportunity@Work

We're delighted to announce that Opportunity@Work has received a grant of $20 million from Yield Giving, the groundbreaking philanthropy founded by MacKenzie Scott. This investment will accelerate our efforts to drive $20 billion in wage gains for workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs). #HireSTARs #TearThePaperCeiling #Grant #workforcedevelopment Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eN9brmaR

Black and white workers have different jobs for different pay, regardless of education. Despite progress in past decades, the labor market has become more segregated over the past twenty years despite increased college attainment. This chart shows the differences in both jobs and pay between Black and white workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs). Only two of the 10 jobs with the most Black STARs pay above the median wage. For white STARs, eight of the 10 pay above median wage. Learn more about these disparities in our occupational segregation research: https://lnkd.in/e-Hu9jPY #HireSTARs #Career #Employment #BlackHistoryMonth

"Aaliyah Siddiqi, a 26-year-old tech worker from Newark, Delaware, was recently featured on a billboard in Times Square as the face of a national Ad Council & Opportunity@Work campaign #TearthePaperCeiling, in partnership with workforce development org YUPRO. The workforce placement organization aimed to raise awareness of the 70 million Americans who took alternative routes to professional careers." Learn more about Aaliyah Siddiqi, YUPRO Placement, and our #OneofMillions Challenge for a Times Square Billboard: https://lnkd.in/eQbZ5a2z #HireSTARs #SkillsFirst

We’re delighted to partner with CareerVillage.org, a #TearThePaperCeiling coalition partner, to pilot the STARs Coach on tearthepaperceiling.org! STARs Coach, is an AI widget powered by CareerVillage that will support STARs (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) on tearthepaperceiling.org looking to navigate their careers, prepare for interviews, and build resilience during the job search to help them achieve greater career outcomes. https://lnkd.in/ebvH6d8F  #HireSTARs #STARsCoach #TearThePaperCeiling

There's still time to RSVP for our virtual fireside chat TODAY with Flatiron School's CEO Peter Barth and Danielle Guadeloupe-Rojas, Director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships at Opportunity@Work! Join us for an inspiring discussion and leave with a plan to transform your career. Grab your seat here: https://lnkd.in/ekkdN8CR #HireSTARs #SkillsFirst 

This February, as we observe #BlackHistoryMonth, we honor and celebrate the pivotal role Black Americans have played in shaping our nation. The 2025 theme, "African Americans and Labor," emphasizes the profound impact of Black workers across all sectors of society. Lots of factors go into a job interview, but the ultimate question is this: can you do that job. We've proven that STARs — workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes rather than a bachelor’s degree — have the skills to do many jobs that would pay more, but they’re being overlooked. The American economy suffers when we ignore the skills that millions of workers already have. Two-thirds of our country’s Black workers (62%) are STARs. So when companies hire Black STARs, they’re tapping into millions of workers with the right skills for the job. This Black History Month, we’ll be celebrating their stories and sharing the data that proves why Black STARs deserve a labor market that works for them, and our economy. See our data story about Black STARs: https://lnkd.in/dgzY6Kc #HireSTARs

#ICYMI: The first episode of the Paperless Pathways podcast is LIVE! Episode 1 takes us back to the Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign’s roots and why it’s reshaping the future of work. Stream now: https://lnkd.in/ewsFTj8r #PaperlessPathways #TearThePaperCeiling #STARsMovement #HireSTARs

On February 5th, Danielle Guadeloupe-Rojas, Director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships at Opportunity@Work will interview Peter Barth, CEO of Flatiron School to discuss his professional journey as a STAR - an Individual Skilled Through Alternative Routes. STARs make up over half the work force - and their impact and influence is undeniable. Join the conversation and reserve your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/ekkdN8CR #HireSTARs #SkillsFirst 

The first episode of the Paperless Pathways podcast is OUT TODAY! Episode 1 takes us back to the Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign’s roots and why it’s reshaping the future of work. Stream now: https://lnkd.in/gDmwzREy #PaperlessPathways #TearThePaperCeiling #STARsMovement #HireSTARs

In 2024 we unveiled our new STARs Public Sector Hub! This interactive network and resource hub is a place where public sector officials can find the tools and support they need to implement skills-first, STAR-centered strategies to address their workforce challenges. Get started: https://lnkd.in/eCENKr5h #HireSTARs #PublicSector