MISSION

QA Commons’ mission is to ensure all learners are prepared for the changing dynamics of the workforce and economy.

QA Commons’ work is centered on an Employability Framework that consists of eight Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs), as well as five standards of care for educational programs seeking to ensure their completers are prepared to succeed in the workplace and advance through a career.

The work helps education and training leaders and their faculty and instructors more clearly understand the rapidly changing needs of employers by building a culture that supports employability as a priority outcome. Services include assessment, technical assistance, professional development, programmatic certification, and student badging.

NEED

“The foundation of a career in a highly technical field is a set of non-cognitive skills that is necessary in every industry, such as basic literacy, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. Without these skills, no amount of technical training will be sufficient; lacking such a foundation makes the technical skills simply “fall through,” which helps explain why technical skill–training programs, especially those for disadvantaged populations, simply do not yield the results their designers and implementers hope for…”
－ American Enterprise Institute

92% of executives say soft skills are equal to or more important than hard skills
– Wall Street Journal

89% of talent professionals said bad hires typically lack soft skills
－LinkedIn

70% of employers report difficulty hiring graduates with the soft skills they need －
SHRM

86% of students state getting a job is their primary reason for attending college －
Strada/Gallup

HISTORY & IMPACT

Quality Assurance (QA) Commons was founded in 2016 with a grant from the Lumina Foundation and support from the National Center for Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). We ensure all learners are prepared for the changing dynamics of the workforce and economy through a range of services – from helping embed Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) into courses and curriculum – to training instructors and staff on employability to certifying academic and training programs.

In its tenure, QA Commons has engaged 34 institutions, evaluated 83 programs, certified 22 programs, and impacted 83,000 students.

2015

Convened national leaders (funded by a USA Funds—now Strada—grant). Unanimously decide that new models focusing on career readiness are vital.

2016

Research begins on bridging the gap between Higher Ed and the workplace. Awarded a Lumina Foundation grant.

2017

Co-design EEQs & the EEQ Cert process with 27 programs from 14 institutions serving over 35,000 students.

2018

Successfully conclude Pilot Program. Awarded Lumina Foundation continuation grant. Launch Kentucky EEQ Certification Initiative.

2019

Launched a Faculty Employability Fellows program, enabling faculty to learn first-hand about local workforce needs, employer concerns, and the views of the role higher education needs to play.

2020

Partnered with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) in a program-level Employability self-assessment to contribute to the system's updating of the program review process.

2021

Partnered with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission to offer EEQ Certification to DEAC-accredited schools. Engaged in the evaluation of the #Prepared4PA pilot programs in Pennsylvania.

2022

Student Employability Badging Offered to EEQ Certified programs through the Credly platform. Providing employability curriculum and professional development to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors oversees the organization, with a focus on mission, strategy and goals.

LEADERSHIP

INDEPENDENT REVIEWERS

QA Commons’ cadre of experienced professional evaluators review EEQ CERT portfolios and other employability assessment instruments. Click HERE to view our Independent Reviewers and their bios.