Opportunity@Work

Today, with @AdCouncil and nearly 50 leading organizations, we’re delighted to announce the launch of #TearThePaperCeiling, a national campaign that aims to shatter the myth that no degree means no skill. Visit TearThePaperCeiling.org to join the movement. #HireSTARs

See the research here! opportunityatwork.org/topics/reports…

AI isn't just disrupting jobs. It's dismantling the career pathways that millions of STARs depend on to move up — and our own Justin Heck and Brookings Metro’s Mark Muro and Shriya Methkupally break it down in this video. youtube.com/watch?v=FCIoJ6… #HireSTARs #TearThePaperCeiling

See the research here! opportunityatwork.org/topics/reports…

Our latest research with @BrookingsMetro is featured in @FinancialTimes' AI Shift newsletter by Sarah O'Connor and John Burn-Murdoch! See the full report from Justin Heck, Mark Muro, Shriya Methkupally, and Joseph Siegmund in the comments. 👇 ft.com/content/becb8e… #HireSTARs

New research out today with @BrookingsMetro! In the era of AI, maintaining upward mobility for workers without four-year degrees will require strong and grounded local efforts, @justinheck & @MarkMuro1 write. Learn why: opportunityatwork.org/topics/reports…

How #AI may reshape career pathways to better jobs | My new @BrookingsInst brief with @justinheck @OpptyatWork + @shriyared and Joe Siegmund. brookings.edu/articles/how-a… @BrookingsMetro

Amid much concern about the future of college graduates in the era of AI, there are over 15 million workers without four-year degrees in jobs that are highly exposed to AI, @justinheck, @MarkMuro1, Shriya Methkupally & Joseph Siegmund write. brookings.edu/articles/how-a…

We’re in Phoenix turning momentum into implementation! Our 2026 Transformers in the Public Sector cohort is officially live! We’re bringing together trailblazing leaders from across the country who aren't just talking about skills-based hiring. They’re actively building the systems to hashtag#HireSTARs (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) in their regions. Thank you to Rep. @MatthewGress for an incredible tour of the state capitol, and for authoring HB 2225 (the Arizona Works Project) to champion this mission. Thank you to @GovernorHobbs, the State of Arizona, and the @ArizonaDOA for their commitment and leadership of skills-based hiring – delivering on the promise to strengthen Arizona through economic opportunity, security, and affordability, and delivering on their uncompromising commitment to allowing Arizonans to thrive. Arizona became the 8th state to tear the paper ceiling in April 2023 when Governor Hobbs committed the state to the national movement, and today, they are a masterclass in what policy looks like in practice. Due to their leadership, we are grateful for them to host our cohort this week, share their cutting edge practices, and continue the national momentum towards a labor market based on skills. We’re looking forward to #TearThePaperCeiling with Arizona and everyone in the 2026 Transformers in the Public Sector cohort!

What if expanding economic mobility isn’t about creating new talent - but recognizing and activating the talent already there? In Colorado, that idea is being put into practice. Explore the case study here on: opportunityatwork.org/impact/case-st… #Colorado #SkillsFirst #HireSTARs

Our new report explores how regions can use the STAR Mobility Compass to strengthen pathways and unlock talent already present in their communities. 📊 Explore the data and download the report. opportunityatwork.org/topics/reports…

73% of workers live and work in the same county. That means economic mobility isn’t just a national issue. It’s regional. 📍 Tell us in the comments: where are you working to strengthen workforce mobility? #SkillsFirstHiring #HireSTARs

Every thriving regional economy has one thing in common: it invests in the workers already there. Look to the STARs: Activating Talent in a Regional Market shows how regions can change that. Download the research → #form" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">opportunityatwork.org/topics/reports… #HireSTARs #TearThePaperCeiling

Tomorrow: Join us for a conversation on the future of skills-based hiring in the #publicsector. You’ll walk away with: • Direct insight from policymakers • A snapshot of key policy trends • What to watch in 2026 Register: events.zoom.us/ev/Aq8EWiJkziZ… #HireSTARs #SkillsFirst

Today’s spotlight is on George. Through hands-on experience and determination, she built skills that helped her grow into new opportunities, demonstrating the leadership and problem-solving many STARs develop on the job. opportunityatwork.org/star-stories #HireSTARs #TearThePaperCeiling

@LACountyISD and #TearThePaperCeiling coalition partner @PerScholas partnered to build a cybersecurity apprenticeship that expands access to tech careers while strengthening the public-sector workforce. Read the case study: opportunityatwork.org/impact/case-st… #HireSTARs #PublicSector

New Episode: The Human Skills AI Can’t Replace If you care about building a skills-first future that works for everyone, this conversation is for you. 🎧 Listen now: pages.opportunityatwork.org/paperless-path… #TearThePaperCeiling #SkillsFirst #HireSTARs #FutureOfWork

A new @smartcitiesdive article by Opportunity@Work’s own Blair Corcoran de Castillo and @UKGInc's Bob Lavigna makes a clear case: Skills-first hiring isn’t just equitable, it improves performance. Read the full piece in Smart Cities Dive: smartcitiesdive.com/news/local-gov… #SkillsFirst

Tomorrow, February 26th at 11 am ET: Join workforce leaders for a focused conversation on STARsCoach, a research-backed AI career coach on Tear The Paper Ceiling. Register here: lnkd.in/ej77meRy #hireSTARs #SkillsFirst @CareerVillage

Join workforce experts for a conversation on how AI-enabled career navigation can help STARs translate their experience into new opportunities and navigate job transitions with confidence. Register here: lnkd.in/ej77meRy #TearThePaperCeiling #SkillsFirst

Employers cannot find the qualified talent they need to meet emerging market needs without taking account of Black STARs (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes). See how you can build promising pathways for Black STARs: opportunityatwork.org/our-solutions/… #BlackHistoryMonth