Philadelphia is doing something exciting to help people grow their careers—especially those without a college degree. Opportunity@Work, a national organization advancing skills-first solutions to the labor market, worked with the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) team to publish a case study about the program. CCME helps City workers learn new skills and move up in their jobs. 

The case study shows how Philadelphia is working hard to support local talent. Many people in the city have strong skills from life, work, or training programs, even if they don’t have a four-year college degree. These people are called STARs, which stands for Skilled Through Alternative Routes. CCME gives STARs a chance to take free classes, get support, and learn how to grow their careers in City government. 

When the program started in October 2024, CCME had over 70 Philadelphians enrolled, and 24 of those completed their course tracks this spring. The goals of CCME are to equip workers with new skills, career mobility, and confidence in their abilities.  

The City is proud of this program because it helps build a workforce that looks like and understands Philadelphia. It also makes sure good jobs are available to more people, not just those with college degrees. 

The case study also shares ideas for how other cities can do the same thing. It’s a big step toward making sure everyone has a fair chance to succeed. 

Together, we’re building a stronger, more fair future for all Philadelphians—starting with the people who already live and work here.