Stakeholders gathered today for a Twitter chat to discuss how to ‘tear the paper ceiling’ – unlocking the opportunity to good jobs for people without college degrees.
WorkingNation hosted the hour-long discussion – #HireSTARsChat – in collaboration with Opportunity@Work and the Ad Council.
Opportunity@Work reminds us that in the U.S., more than 70 million STARs – workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes – have skills that are transferable for higher-paid work. Unfortunately, many jobs continue to require a four-year degree, throwing up a barrier to competing for good-paying open jobs.
The nonprofit has long championed the abilities and skills of STARs, and notes there are many options for learning outside the college route.
Cassidy Leventhal, VP with Achieve Partners, says parents and students should check out the array of post-high school options.
Organizations like NPower create greater access to opportunity by providing no-cost IT training.
Per Scholas is another organization that opens career pathways with free training.
Blue Meridian responded when asked what companies are stepping up to tear the paper ceiling.
Social Finance gives a shout out to the state of New Jersey.
Meanwhile, Alison Lands, director of strategy, SkyHive, points to the state of Maryland.
Chat participants offered many reasons why employers should hire STARs. Among them, Daisy Magnus-Aryitey, co-executive director, Code the Dream – who is, herself, a STAR.
Grads of Life notes being inclusive of historically underrepresented populations addresses the issue of equity.
As the chat wound down, WorkingNation founder and CEO, Art Bilger stresses the strength and significance of the STARs talent pool.
Just because the chat has ended you can still catch up on all the thoughts shared during this conversation. Keep it going by tweeting your ideas to #HireSTARsChat and #TearThePaperCeiling.
Learn more about Opportunity@Work.
Learn more about the Ad Council.
Learn more about The Paper Ceiling.
