Martinsburg, WV – April 2025 – Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (BRCTC) is proud to announce that its Culinary Arts program has earned Essential Employability Qualities (EEQ) Certification™ from QA Commons, a national nonprofit committed to ensuring graduates are prepared not just for jobs, but for long-term career success.

This recognition highlights BRCTC’s commitment to helping students build the full set of skills today’s employers demand—including technical expertise and critical workplace competencies such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, professionalism, and adaptability, to name a few. Through the program, students earn virtual badges in critical workplace competencies. These badges are more than just achievements—they serve as dynamic visual credentials that students can proudly showcase in their email signatures, on social media platforms, and within professional networks. This not only enhances their resumes but also demonstrates to potential employers that they possess a well-rounded skill set critical for workplace success. In an evolving job market, these “human” skills are often the key to advancement and long-term success—particularly in industries like culinary arts, where professionalism, collaboration, and creativity are essential in high-pressure environments.

QA Commons noted several particularly noteworthy practices in BRCTC’s Culinary Arts program:

• Emphasis on applied learning through mock interviews, industry panels, and competitions.
• Strong career support via employer and alumni connections that help students build real-world networks.
• Faculty who consistently integrate real-life culinary scenarios and emphasize the importance of professionalism and responsibility in every aspect of the curriculum.

“What makes Blue Ridge’s program stand out is how intentionally it prepares students for the real-world dynamics of the culinary field,” said Michelle Deasy, Executive Director of QA Commons. “They’re not just teaching students how to cook—they’re teaching them to lead teams, take initiative, and stay composed under pressure. In fields like culinary arts, professionalism, communication, and drive are just as critical as knife skills.”

“An Essential Employability Qualities (EEQ) certification gives our culinary students a competitive edge, equipping them with vital skills and dynamic badges to showcase their professionalism and readiness for the modern workplace,” said Steven Weiss, Associate Dean of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at BRCTC.

QA Commons has certified programs ranging from CTE to four-year liberal arts institutions, recognizing that employability skills are vital across all disciplines. Each certification includes a detailed, evidence-based report offering actionable feedback to strengthen outcomes.

To learn more about the Culinary Program at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, contact Steven Weiss at sweiss@blueridgectc.edu or visit: https://www.blueridgectc.edu/academic-programs/associates-degree-programs/culinary/culinary-arts/

To learn more about QA Commons’ employability work, visit: www.theqacommons.org

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as workforce development training.  Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is conveniently located on Route 45 West past the Commons Center, at 13650 Apple Harvest Drive. For more information about Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, please call 304-260-4380 or visit our website at www.BlueRidgeCTC.edu.