Our First Grant

Helping learners, workers, and employers identify high-quality training programs

We are excited to announce our first major grant of $2.9 million to Jobs for the Future (JFF), in collaboration with the Burning Glass Institute (BGI), to make sense of the rapidly growing market of short-term training programs.

In the confusing US market of short-term training options (think bootcamps, technical skills certificates, etc.), it is extremely hard to understand what works, and what doesn't. Consumers fall prey to ineffective programs, wasting their time and money; employers aren't sure which credentials indicate that workers really have the skills to be effective on the job.

This grant will make it far easier for job seekers and employers in the US to find their way through the maze of education and training programs currently on the market, by assessing programs based on their actual outcomes, such as skills gained, likelihood of being hired, productivity growth, and increase in earnings.

Access to education and training helps workers build new skills and advance in their professional lives, driving income growth and economic mobility. However, not all programs and credentials are equally effective, and precious resources are wasted by learners and employers if they don’t have reliable data on quality and outcomes. This collaboration with JFF and the Burning Glass Institute aims to increase transparency across credential programs in the US and help learners and employers make more informed decisions.

The grant will be used to expand the Educational Quality Outcomes Standards (EQOS) framework that uses a range of criteria to assess education and training programs. In addition, the partnership will build consumer- and employer-friendly technology products to help job seekers and hiring managers easily understand and select high-quality options. 

We’re excited that our first grant has the potential to be a game changer for employers and job seekers in the US, bringing new job opportunities and increased income to millions of people. 

Let’s build a better system for all!

Return on Investment

• 5,715x ROI

• This project is estimated to increase annual earnings by $2,102 per person, for a total additional lifetime earnings of $37,392 per person

• Total lifetime earnings increase across all participants: $80,247,169,568

• $2,900,000 invested