Most people are familiar with the glass ceiling, a term that describes the barriers that women and people of color face when trying to advance their careers and move up the organizational chart. But another barrier has emerged that makes life difficult for a majority of workers in the country: the paper ceiling.
The paper ceiling refers to career advancement barriers experienced by those without a college degree. Almost 38% of the American population aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, according to U.S. Census Bureau numbers on educational attainment. That means the paper ceiling potentially impacts 62% of the workforce.
The paper ceiling especially affects people who come from underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods, including those known as STARS (Skilled Through Alternative Routes). These include people who have learned critical work skills through on-the-job training, military service, certificate programs, workforce training, and boot camps.
