The Skills Outcomes Alignment platform uses the skill library to help colleges match what is taught in the classroom with work performed in business and industry. Colleges upload course learning outcomes which are matched and compared to competency profiles found for more than 900 occupations. The output shows which learning outcomes are most relevant and which additional competencies may need to be incorporated into the curriculum.

Competency-based curriculum alignment

Since 2011, 26 colleges have used the Student Outcomes Alignmen platform to align more than 1,300 courses across 83 awards. The goal of this work is to maximize student employability, earnings and economic contributions to the community. Based on positive responses from faculty and administrators, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the common skills language methodology for all colleges to validate curriculum in Texas.

This approach enables the curriculum to be optimized objectively. Colleges also can invite industry subject matter experts to validate competencies based on criticality, frequency and level of proficiency. The results of a more qualified talent supply are wins for everyone involved: employers, students and their parents, taxpayers and the college.

The common skills language project has been funded by the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Legislature via Texas State Technical College’s technology forecasting initiative. With the ongoing support of these agencies, the core skill library is being expanded, improved automation is being developed, and the workplace competencies are being integrated.