Project QUEST
Program basics
- Seeks to improve employment and earnings through sector-based education and training for high-demand jobs
- Provides tuition subsidies and support services to participants while they are enrolled in 2-year associate’s degree and one-year certificate programs at local community colleges for high-demand occupations
- Training programs currently exist for health services, business systems and IT, and maintenance and repair professions
Strength of evidence
Evidence level: Promising (Third-highest tier)
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Promising (Third-highest tier)
Project QUEST is not yet in any of the major clearinghouses, but has demonstrated positive results in an independent, high-quality evaluation conducted by the Economic Mobility Corporation
Target population
Low- and moderate-income adults
Program cost
$10,501 per participant
Implementation locations
Dates active
1992-present
Outcomes and impact
- Increased earnings by $5,000 annually after 9 years
- Increased employment rate by 10 percentage points
Keys to successful implementation
- Note: This content is under review.
- Partner with local business leaders, large employers, city agencies, and any other key labor market actors to identify strong sectors of the local economy that will likely yield in-demand employment opportunities.
- Tailor training and additional offerings closely to the local economy’s in-demand labor needs; consider the program the future supplier to fill those needs.
- Provide weekly meetings that prioritize life skills like time management, study skills, financial planning, transition to employment, and conflict resolution.
- Offer a broad suite of services around the job placement process, such as workshops on resume writing, professional interviewing, and securing referrals.
- Remove barriers to participation that can be remedied with support services, such as reimbursement programs for childcare, transportation, and utilities.
