Education

The U.S. labor market has a perceived shortage of qualified workers, yet millions of workers with in-demand skills are being overlooked, undervalued, and filtered out before even being considered. We call these over 70 million workers STARs: workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes. STARs make up 50% of the U.S. workforce and have developed valuable skills through community college, workforce training, bootcamps, certificate programs, military service, or on-the-job learning, rather than through a bachelor’s degree.

STARs face a "paper ceiling" – the invisible barrier that comes at every turn for workers without a bachelor's degree. Lack of alumni networks, biased algorithms, degree screens, stereotypes, and misperceptions all contribute to the paper ceiling, creating barriers to upward economic mobility for STARs, even though they have demonstrated skills for higher-wage work.

It's time to let STARs shine. Run these PSAs to help Employers and STARs tear the paper ceiling and join the movement at TearThePaperCeiling.org.

America is facing a looming retirement savings crisis, and future generations will have a lower standard of living due to financial insecurity.

People 50 and older are the fastest growing age segment in America, and they can expect to pay for a longer retirement. Yet nearly seven in 10 Americans approaching retirement having less than a year’s income saved.

Since 2017, we have empowered adults 45 to 60 to prepare for their retirement. The campaign directs viewers to a three-minute online chat with Avo, a friendly digital retirement coach. After completing the chat, viewers receive a personalized retirement savings action plan with free tips to help them take charge of their financial futures today.

For more than 34 million American adults without a high school diploma, opportunities are limited. Many are living in poverty, but it's not too late to go back to school. As an evolution of the Finish Your Diploma campaign, the new work When You Graduate, They Graduate highlights the impact that going back to school and getting your High School Equivalency can have on your loved ones and community. Taking the steps to go back to school and get your GED can help you and your loved ones have a brighter future.


Since 2010, FinishYourDiploma.org has connected nearly two million people with free adult education classes to help them earn their high school equivalency, so they can connect to a better tomorrow. Visit the site to learn more about resources to help with graduation, connect with free classes, and learn more about other graduate's stories.