A Recap of Workday's UNTAPPED: Closing America's Opportunity Gap

UNTAPPED: Closing America's Opportunity Gap is a documentary made in partnership with Workday that sheds light on the critical importance of skills-based hiring in bridging economic disparities and creating opportunities for all.

Here at Skillcentrix, we've been eagerly awaiting the film's release, and now that it's out and available to stream on Netflix, we're sharing a recap and our reflections on this topic that's so near and dear to our hearts!

The Unseen Barriers to Opportunity

The documentary starts by painting a vivid picture of the challenges many face in today's economy. One interviewee describes their life as a never-ending tunnel: a cycle of work, eat, sleep, repeat—an existence that stifles dreams of financial freedom and happiness. This narrative parallels the broader economic headlines we see daily: inflation, a volatile housing market, homelessness, wage stagnation, skyrocketing tuition costs, and a tight labor market exacerbated by the AI arms race.

The film underscores a harsh reality: the old adage of "just work hard and get a job" is increasingly outdated. Barriers to decent employment are more complex than ever, and these hurdles disproportionately affect those without a college degree. In fact, 70% of new jobs created today exclude candidates who only possess a high school diploma. The system's narrow pathways to opportunity leave many capable individuals feeling trapped, unable to showcase their skills because they lack the "right" credentials.

The Year Up Program

One of the standout elements of UNTAPPED is its focus on the Year Up program, which offers a lifeline to those struggling to break into the job market. The program equips students with the tools they need to navigate institutional systems and succeed in corporate environments. From understanding workplace jargon, hierarchy, and dress codes to mastering the art of handshakes and conversational skills, Year Up prepares its participants to be comfortable in professional settings.

Moreover, the program helps trainees work on their mindsets and confidence, encouraging them to believe they deserve to be in the room with Ivy League graduates. Year Up addresses the fact that wealth often determines outcomes more than standardized test scores, offering a pathway for those whose life circumstances—such as needing to work or care for family—may have previously barred them from higher education and its associated opportunities.

Skills vs. Degrees

UNTAPPED challenges the long-held belief that a college degree is the sole ticket to career success. Back in 1909, only 9% of Americans attended college. The landscape shifted dramatically in the middle of the century and then again in the 1980s and 1990s, when high schools were revamped to be "preparation for college" rather than "preparation for the real world." With the advent of the internet and mass applications for online job postings, HR teams needed a solution to easily filter applicants. This made college degrees the easy way to filter candidates, becoming a large factor in creating the opportunity gap that we see today. 

The film argues that skills should play a larger role in aligning candidates to jobs. Education is important, but it's only one pathway of many. Of course, there will always be certain professions that require higher education, but not all. It’s been shown that skills-based hiring is five times more predictive of future success than traditional degree-based hiring practices. This approach not only starts to open new labor pools and opportunities, but also aligns more closely with the actual demands of the job market. By focusing on skills, employers can tap into a wider, more diverse talent pool, driving social mobility and economic growth.

The Future of Hiring

UNTAPPED highlights the future of hiring, emphasizing the growing importance of both hard skills and emotional intelligence (EQ). Public speaking, interviewing skills, and other "soft" skills are increasingly recognized as critical components of professional success.

As the film illustrates, hiring for skills and EQ can bridge the opportunity gap, creating a more equitable and dynamic economy. By valuing what individuals can do over the credentials they hold, we can build a workforce that is not only more capable but also more inclusive. UNTAPPED serves as a powerful reminder that our approach to hiring must evolve to meet the realities of today's world, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

"This film affirmed what excites me about working in this space," said Matt Gregory, Skillcentrix President & Chief Revenue Officer. "Helping some of the top companies in the world transform into Skills-Based Organizations is imperative to driving larger systemic changes. Programs like Year Up are doing amazing work in helping close the opportunity gap. I hope the documentary helps drive more visibility and excitement around skills-based approaches."