Tear
the Paper Ceiling

Workers with experience, skills, and diverse perspectives – held back by a silent limitation.

It’s time to tear the paper ceiling and see the world beyond it.

I pledge to shatter stereotypes and misconceptions and to see people for all of their experiences, skills, and diverse perspectives.

I pledge to recognize the untapped potential of the 70+ million American workers who are STARs – Skilled Through Alternative Routes – so they can flourish.

I pledge to tear the paper ceiling, to see the world beyond it, and to let STARs shine.

Sign the pledge to tear the paper ceiling

Let’s send a clear message that it’s time to tear the
paper ceiling.

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You’ve taken the first step in tearing the paper ceiling. Stay tuned for important updates, information and stories related to the campaign.

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total Signatures

46110 / 100,000

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Celebrating Two Years of Tear the Paper Ceiling

See Our Latest Report
Opportunity at WorkAD Council

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Together, we've begun to open doors for millions of STARs—workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes.

Join us as we continue to break barriers, create opportunities, and inspire change.

STAR
35K
of the Coalition’s corporate partners’ job postings are now open to STARs
550,000+
jobs now open to STARs across the 25 states that have committed to removing degree requirements from their state government jobs since 2022
83%
of campaign-aware employers consider hiring STARs for more jobs now than 2-3 years ago

Year Two by the Numbers

6.5 billion

The number of impressions the #TearThePaperCeiling campaign has earned

4.1 million

People learned more about the paper ceiling on this website

1.9 million

#TearThePaperCeiling engagements and conversations took place on social media

3,089

News outlets covered the paper ceiling

29%
of STARs have described themselves as a “STAR” to someone else
33%
of employers surveyed have changed degree requirement in at least one job description*
* Quantitative public opinion tracking studies conducted by the Ad Council and partner research company C+R Research.

Watch: Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies believes STARs can unlock growth for their organization. See how they create pathways for STARs to thrive through an innovative apprenticeship program.

Watch Now

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We’ve added to our growing list of awards in 2024:

Gold Winner
Shortlisted
Ad of the Year Nominee
Shortlisted
Gold
Shortlisted
Gold
Silver
Silver
Honoree

One of Millions Storytelling Challenge

Stories are the most powerful way to raise awareness of the barriers that make up the paper ceiling. Our “One of Millions” storytelling challenge motivated dozens of our coalition members to share stories of the STARs in their networks, flooding social media with new and engaging examples of encounters with the paper ceiling.

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Thank you to all our coalition partners for an incredible TWO years.

Let’s keep moving forward together on our shared skills-first journey for STARs!

Contact us to leverage your coalition membership

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