New National Accelerator Triples in Size as More Governments Seek Blueprint for Implementing Skills-Based Hiring

Opportunity@Work's STARs Public Sector Hub members helped STARs earn 13% higher wages than national average, as 15 governments commit to moving from policy to practice

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Transformers in the Public Sector accelerator is tripling from five to 15 participants as state and local governments seek proven strategies to hire, advance, and retain workers based on their skills rather than degrees - ensuring all qualified candidates can compete fairly, including the millions of workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) who have been historically excluded by bachelor's degree requirements.

Why it matters

Participating states are working to fill the 255,000+ jobs they've opened through executive and legislative action, and demand for support is surging: 100% of inaugural participants renewed and 10 new governments joined — including the initiative's first local government partner. The urgency is clear: as over 62% of public agencies report difficulty finding enough qualified candidates, directly impacting service delivery and operational stability. Yet millions of skilled workers without degrees remain overlooked due to outdated hiring practices.

The details

Led by national nonprofit Opportunity@Work and supported by the Volcker Alliance, the expanded initiative comes as data from the public sector reveals the tangible impact of skills-based hiring: 45% of STAR hires in the STARs Public Sector Hub network gained 10% or more in pay after switching jobs – five points higher than the national average (40%). The program's new two-track structure reflects lessons learned from the inaugural cohort, offering tailored support whether governments are just starting their skills-first journey or ready to scale proven practices.

  • The Transformers in the Public Sector accelerator expanded from 5 to 15 participants in February 2026.

The players

Opportunity@Work

A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to rewire the labor market to create economic opportunity for workers skilled through alternative routes (STARs).

The Volcker Alliance

A New York-based nonprofit founded by former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul A. Volcker, with a mission to empower the public sector workforce to solve the challenges facing our nation.

Byron Auguste

CEO of Opportunity@Work.

Sara Mogulescu

President of The Volcker Alliance.

Blair Corcoran de Castillo

SVP of Public Sector and Policy at Opportunity@Work.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The 15 state and local public sector employers joining this cohort are sending a clear message to their constituents: if you can do the job, you can get the job. This is the right message, a motivating message, a smart one.”

— Byron Auguste, CEO, Opportunity@Work

“Through our continued partnership with Opportunity@Work, we are equipping public sector leaders with comprehensive support to transform their workforces. When governments value skills over pedigree, they build stronger institutions while creating pathways to prosperity for workers who have been overlooked for too long.”

— Sara Mogulescu, President, The Volcker Alliance

“What we're witnessing is nothing short of a transformation in how governments think about talent. From state capitals to city halls, leaders across the political spectrum recognize that STARs represent half their workforce and bring critical skills their communities need. The fact that we're now working with states and cities, with enthusiastic participation from both parties, shows that tearing the paper ceiling isn't partisan – it's pragmatic. It's how we build a skills-based talent infrastructure that enables government to evolve with changing talent needs and look like and better serve communities.”

— Blair Corcoran de Castillo, SVP of Public Sector and Policy, Opportunity@Work

What’s next

As the expanded cohort begins its work, participants will focus on measurable outcomes in both hiring and advancement, with goals including identifying specific roles across domains that align with STARs' skills, implementing updates to statewide job classification standards, and addressing barriers to retention and advancement for STARs already in government.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates the bipartisan momentum behind skills-based hiring in the public sector, as governments across the political spectrum recognize the value that workers skilled through alternative routes (STARs) can bring to addressing critical workforce shortages and expanding economic opportunity.