Opportunity@Work

The shift toward building an economy that works for every American worker is happening now. More employers than ever are recognizing skills-first hiring and the skills and potential of STARs — workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes. We have the data to prove it. Join us for our launch event, State of the Paper Ceiling: Breaking Through, to learn valuable insights on: - The story of our #skillsfirsthiring movement and its growing impact across the country - A deep dive into the latest data showcasing an accelerating trajectory of positive change for both STARs and employers - A concrete roadmap to get more STARs into higher-wage jobs by 2030 - Engaging video highlights, expert discussions, and interactive sessions that bring these insights and STARs’ real-life successes to life RSVP today: https://lnkd.in/ehncMRSx #HireSTARs #SkillsFirst

Really looking forward to these conversations (starting Tuesday at 10:10am) at ASU+GSV Summit that spotlight *actions* for STARs. If we want an economy that works for all workers, it means valuing ALL skills - including the 50% of U.S. workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes, rather than a bachelor's degree. 👇🏾 Here's where I'll be speaking: 1️⃣ “Skills Over Degrees: The STAR Revolution in Hiring” I'm leading a conversation with #TearthePaperCeiling partners Indeed's Abigail Carlton, Tallo's Allison Danielsen, Google's Rob Magliaro and McKinsey & Company's Carolyn Pierce April 8 | 10:10AM 🔗 Details here: https://lnkd.in/eYxFuXrf 2️⃣ “Untapped Potential: Closing the Opportunity Gap Through Skills-Based Hiring” with Year Up United's Ellen McClain, Workday's Chassidy Tabios and Diana F. April 8 | 3:00PM  🔗 Details here: https://lnkd.in/eE_gVvug 3️⃣ “Stage X: Reimagining the American Workforce: Turning Crisis into Opportunity” with Equal Opportunity Ventures' Michelle Rhee and Digital Promise's Jean-Claude Brizard April 9 | 12:00PM  🔗 Details here: https://lnkd.in/eaX5VzTB Opportunity@Work #ASUGSVSummit #TearthePaperCeiling #SkillsFirstHiring #HireSTARs

🔥 The Paper Ceiling keeps employers from finding talent, and STARs from finding opportunities — HR & Job Tech has been part of the challenge, and for some it is also becoming part of the solution. Kelly Graham and I wrote an article for Forbes, where we dive into how HR and job tech can unlock STAR talent through skills-based hiring. 📖 Read it here: https://lnkd.in/g_rs24aY Grads of Life and Opportunity@Work also hosted a webinar that spotlighted leaders Fernando Rodriguez-Villa, Carolyn Pierce, and Amy Volz who are tackling exactly this—how can companies use HR and Job Tech to remove outdated hiring barriers. Catch up by watching the recording here: https://lnkd.in/gEYn8SWn 💡 The future of hiring is skills, not degrees. Is your company ready? Let’s talk. 👇 #TearThePaperCeiling #STARsTalent #SkillsBasedHiring #HRTech

Episode 3 of the Paperless Pathways podcast is LIVE! In this episode, we explore the inspiring journeys of STARs thriving in diverse industries, from tech and education to transportation and social work. Host LaShana Lewis leads a powerful conversation with guests Natalia Lara, Barbara Leach, Malinda Venable, and Zane Richards on career transitions, leveraging transferable skills, and expanding opportunities. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/e2ts7C-m #SkillsFirst #HireSTARs

We are so excited to announce Jim Shelton as a featured speaker at our State of the Paper Ceiling event on 4/24! Jim Shelton is the Chief Executive Officer of Blue Meridian Partners and a member of its Board of Directors. Jim leads Blue Meridian’s efforts to connect investors and visionary leaders to utilize transformative capital to scale solutions that enable all Americans to achieve economic and social mobility and escape the persistent and powerful gravitational pull of poverty. Join Opportunity@Work on April 24th as we unveil groundbreaking research on STARs’ progress and the road ahead. Discover how skills-first hiring can transform the labor market and create more equitable opportunities for all. RSVP today: https://lnkd.in/erw3XwkZ #SkillsFirstHiring #TearThePaperCeiling #wkdev #HireSTARs

If you’re headed to ASU+GSV Summit next week, Opportunity@Work and #TearthePaperCeiling partners will be sharing their latest actions and insights for skills-first hiring. See below + save this post for when you’re on the ground in San Diego! 1️⃣ “Skills Over Degrees: The STAR Revolution in Hiring” with: Indeed VP Social Impact and Sustainability Abigail Carlton Tallo CEO Allison Danielsen Google Head of Education & Workforce Partnerships Rob Magliaro McKinsey & Company Partner Carolyn Pierce moderated by Opportunity@Work CEO Byron Auguste Date: April 8 | Time: 10:10–10:50 AM l 🔗 Session details here: https://lnkd.in/eQDcHhSQ 2️⃣ "The Golden Standard: The California Emerging Model for Skills-Based Hiring" with:  Opportunity@Work VP STARs Policy Blair Corcoran de Castillo California Government Operations Agency Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development James Regan Moderated by Stand Together Trust Policy Director & Senior Fellow, Economic Mobility Dr. Steve C. Taylor Date: April 8 | Time: 11:00–11:40 AM 🔗 Session details here: https://lnkd.in/e7qJw_R3 3️⃣ “Untapped Potential: Closing the Opportunity Gap Through Skills-Based Hiring” with: Opportunity@Work CEO Byron Auguste Year Up United CEO & President Ellen McClain Workday Senior Program Manager Chassidy Tabios Moderated by Workday Senior Principal, People Insights & Experience Diana F. Date: April 8 | Time: 3:00-3:40 PM  🔗 Session details here: https://lnkd.in/ePd8MhCE 4️⃣ “Stage X: Reimagining the American Workforce: Turning Crisis into Opportunity” with:  Opportunity@Work CEO Byron Auguste Equal Opportunity Ventures Venture Partner Michelle Rhee Digital Promise President & CEO Jean-Claude Brizard Date: April 9 | Time: 12:00-2:00 PM  🔗 Session details here: https://lnkd.in/gWPessQd *Before you go* : download the ASU GSV Summit 2025 app to check whether you need to reserve your spot in advance! https://lnkd.in/ereQRq_b #ASUGSVSummit #skillsbasedhiring #hireSTARs #tearthepaperceiling 

3 years ago, the office of the Iowa Auditor of State partnered with Opportunity@Work to implement skills-first hiring and open up opportunities to STARs. Iowa Auditor of State was able to fill those crucial jobs and expand skills-first hiring to other roles. See our successes, findings, and learnings in our latest case study, out today with WorkingNation! https://lnkd.in/e2FCv5wp See the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/e4PMMkUR For more insights, join us on April 24, 2025, to learn more about how this #skillsfirst approach is changing the workforce landscape across the U.S. at the State of the Paper Ceiling: Breaking Through event. Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025 Time: 3:30–4:30 PM EST | 12:30–1:30 PM PST Location: Virtual Livestream Don’t miss out—register today: https://lnkd.in/erw3XwkZ #SkillsFirstHiring #TearThePaperCeiling #wkdev #HireSTARs

AI is driving the next wave of change in the workplace, creating demand for new jobs and skills. LinkedIn data reveals that by 2030, 70% of the skills needed in most roles will evolve, with AI emerging as a catalyst. This transformation might come with challenges, but it also opens up new opportunities. Here's how leaders can get started: 💡 Embrace the change: Encourage your team to experiment with AI. Start by exploring where AI can enhance current processes and help your team adopt AI tools with confidence, freeing them up to innovate and get creative. 🧠 Create a culture of learning: Build your team’s expertise in both technical and human-centered skills. The right mix of skills will give professionals and organizations a competitive edge. Check out the latest LinkedIn data, insights from leaders like Opportunity@Work’s Byron Auguste, and discover how to adapt and lead in our Work Change Report: https://lnkd.in/ed7J57sm 

Opportunity@Work is hosting State of the Paper Ceiling: Breaking Through. Make sure to attend it on April 24.