What Do Trevor Noah and Five States Have in Common? STARs

Whether in a fireside chat with Trevor Noah or a network for state-level action (more on that below…), people are resonating with the message behind the Tear the Paper Ceiling movement: it’s time to open up opportunities for STARs, the 70+ million Americans Skilled Through Alternative Routes, rather than a bachelor’s degree.?

A few weeks ago at Human Potential Summit , I was asked to share “how to transform awareness into action.” When it comes to the Tear the Paper Ceiling movement, I often get asked - what's the best way to get started? My answer: the best way to get started is the way you're able to get started today.

I’m happy to say that action is taking place every single day thanks to the hard work of Tear the Paper Ceiling coalition partners and most importantly - STARs themselves. I hope these latest updates inspire you on how to start building an economy that works for STARs today, whether you’re an employer, a community, or simply someone who is ready to spread the word:

• If you’re a business, consider sharing STARs data with your employees, customers, and your network. For example… Indeed presented the business case for hiring STARs to 800+ HR leaders at their Indeed FutureWorks conference and held a fireside chat between two STARs - Indeed's Chief People and Sustainability Officer LaFawn Davis and Trevor Noah (yes, Trevor is Skilled Through Alternative Routes).?Watch more here. Workday Rising showcased work from organizations focused on tearing the paper ceiling (as well as the #TearThePaperCeiling installation - see photos, below!) and their Executive Symposium included STARs data and insights from Opportunity@Work + 沃尔玛 and Workday thought leaders Ashley Goldsmith Carrie Varoquiers and Lorraine "Lo" Stomski . My recap here.?

• If you’re a community, consider joining the STARs Public Sector Hub. Five state governments - Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Louisiana - are joining forces to make skills-first talent practices a reality with the launch of "Transformers in the Public Sector" – a first-of-its-kind cohort launched this week and led by our STARs Public Sector Hub. By learning to value skills acquired by any route, states engaged in this work can become more agile, 'skills-first' employers of choice and build an economy that works for STARs and emerging industries. Read about the initiative here.?

• If you have a platform, consider sharing the STARs message. And if you need inspiration on what to send to help convince and convert a friend or colleague on skills-first hiring - here are two ideas: 1. In the new Netflix documentary released this month - UNTAPPED: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap - I share what’s behind today’s broken labor market and how smart employers are ditching “degree screen-out” and adopting skills-first hiring, at scale - produced by Workday + Executive Producers Lebron James and Maverick Carter with The SpringHill Company. Details on how to watch here.? 2. In this recent FORTUNE op-ed - “Americans can get behind dropping degree requirements—but employers and hiring managers keep propping up the ‘paper ceiling’” CEO of Cengage Group Michael Hansen shares, “Real change and disruption can only happen when the entire labor ecosystem—policymakers, educators, employers, and the workforce—shakes these stigmas to embrace and celebrate workers who have equipped themselves with the skills needed for employment in ways that worked for their learning style and budget at that stage of their life…”

Our inspiration for this movement is singular, but the actions and solutions needed are diverse and many. No one organization can do it alone. This is a movement for anyone who cares about STARs - and STARs are increasingly leading the movement.

As Chief People and Sustainability Officer (and STAR) LaFawn Davis shared on Indeed's main stage, “STARs represent a massive talent pool - roughly half of the U.S. workforce…even though I had the skills and expertise I was turned down because I didn’t have a college degree. That is why our mission is so personal to me.”

And as CEO of Cengage Michael Hansen shared in FORTUNE, “The progress made so far in tearing the paper ceiling is promising...67% of employers are expanding their hiring search to include candidates with industry certifications and credentials. But the work is far from over…The path forward requires a concerted effort across the labor ecosystem to evolve the outdated mindsets that have perpetuated this oversight for far too long.”

The paper ceiling took years to take hold - it will take years dismantle and replace it - together, on purpose. The good news is we all can start by asking “what action can I take today?”?