The Detroit metropolitan area offers a strong and underutilized talent pool: more than 1 million workers in the Greater Detroit labor force are STARs – workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes rather than a bachelor’s degree. Representing over half of the region’s workforce, Detroit STARs have developed skills through pathways such as military service, community college, or on-the-job experience. In 2025, Detroit Regional Partnership partnered with Opportunity@Work to analyze local STAR skills alongside current and emerging employer demand across the Detroit Metropolitan Statistical Area. This analysis identifies a clear opportunity to strengthen pathways connecting Detroit’s workforce to higher-wage, in-demand roles.
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