Real-Time Takes: STARs – Success Stories Despite the Odds

Did you know that if you are at least 25, have a high-school diploma but not a four-year degree, and are currently active in the workforce, you are a STAR (Skilled Through Alternative Routes)?

Although over 50% of the workforce are STARs (more than 70 million people), the job market deliberately prioritizes and rewards those with degrees.1 Opportunity@Work, in partnership with the Ad Council, launched ‘Tear the Paper Ceiling’, a campaign dedicated to advancing opportunities for STARs. Their research finds that while 67% of job descriptions require a four-year degree, only 30% of positions truly need a degree.2 Despite the need for qualified workers, employers continue to prefer and demand candidates with four-year degrees over STARs with relevant experience and knowledge.

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Opportunity@Work Awards $2 Million to Organizations Accelerating Economic Mobility for Workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs)

NEWS PROVIDED BY Opportunity@Work  Jun 25, 2024, 09:00 ET Read the full article at PR Newswire   National nonprofit’s latest grant program recognizes eight training and talent development providers committed to helping STARs access career opportunities in high-growth fields WASHINGTON, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — National economic mobility nonprofit Opportunity@Work today announced eight recipients of its Powering…

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Lost Your License in Ohio Due to Debt? A New State Bill Might Fix That

A Marshall Project – Cleveland and News 5 report helped spark a bipartisan bill to end spiraling financial strain on hundreds of thousands of drivers. December 21, 2023 By Mark Puente, The Marshall Project and Tara Morgan, News 5 Cleveland This article was published in partnership with News 5 Cleveland. Read the full article at The Marshall…

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About Senate Bill 37

About SB37 Senate Bill 37 removes the ability to suspend a person’s license for non-driving related issues, such as unpaid parking tickets, therefore removing the barrier to employment for millions of hard-working Ohioans and businesses that employ them. Ohio sees roughly 3 million license suspensions per year with over 60% of these being for debt-related…

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Op-ed: For workers, it’s a ‘good job’ that makes the difference

Published: November 15, 2022 01:43 PM Author: Jill Rizika Read the full Op-ed on Crain’s Getty Images/iStock | Paid training, employer-sponsored training or ongoing on-the-job training such as apprenticeships are critical, writes Jill Rizika. Jill Rizika is executive director of Towards Employment. The Fund for our Economic Future’s “Where Are the Workers” report characterized the…

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Path to digital literacy: Bridging skills gap is critical to workforce success

Article written by Rachel Abbey McCafferty Published September 18, 2021 04:00 AM Read the original article here on Crain’s Cleveland Business. Today, technology is ever-more present at the workplace, whatever that workplace is. There’s increased automation; there are remote conference calls. Digital skills and literacy are a must, particularly for higher-wage jobs. “From an equity…

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City of Cleveland Mayoral Candidate Forum for Returning Citizens

Click To View Flyer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2021 Adaora Schmiedl Towards Employment Director, Development and Marketing 216-696-7310 aschmiedl@towardsemployment.org Ken Brinkman Center for Employment Opportunities Job Developer / Business Account Manager 216-316-6841 kbrickman@ceoworks.org City of Cleveland Mayoral Candidate Forum for Returning Citizens The Greater Cleveland Reentry Leadership Coalition and Community Partner Hosting Candidate Forum…

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