70 Million STAR Workers are Missing
70 Million STAR Workers are Missing
Degrees in Different ways.
Are you familiar with the term "STARs"? STARs are workers who have developed valuable skills through alternative routes such as community college, trade schools, and on-the-job training. These STARs are often overlooked by employers due to a phenomenon known as the "paper ceiling," which refers to the barrier that prevents them from being considered for job opportunities because they don't have a college degree.
The problem with the paper ceiling is that it limits the pool of qualified candidates for a job and can lead to higher unemployment rates and lower labor force participation rates. According to recent data, workers without a college degree have a harder time finding employment and participating in the labor force. This isn't just a problem for STARs, it's a problem for the economy as a whole. When talented workers are excluded from the job market, everyone loses.
Thankfully, there are efforts underway to tear down the paper ceiling and provide opportunities for STARs to showcase their skills. Nonprofits like Opportunity@Work and the Ad Council have launched a campaign to encourage employers to change their hiring practices and recognize the value of alternative forms of education and training. McKinsey, a leading management consulting firm, is also supporting this effort by providing data-driven solutions that enable recruiters to recognize STARs and their skills.
By tearing down the paper ceiling, we can tap into a hidden talent pool of skilled workers and create more job opportunities for everyone. So the next time you see a job posting that requires a college degree, remember the STARs and think about the economic implications of overlooking valuable skills and alternative forms of education and training.
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Jobs and Other Links
I have been sharing links with students and recent graduates in our informal communication channels. Thought you all might benefit from some of these too.
Job- Performance Analyst
Job- Financial Analyst I
MIT’s Ph.D course on Development Economics taught by Esther Duflo and Ben Olken is now open to all.
I will serve on a panel on May 3rd at the NKY Chamber of Commerce on Hiring & Retaining New Americans & International Students – GROW NKY Talent Strategies Series
Labor Market update for the month shows signs of weakening demand for labor.