Case study
The TOEIC® Certification at the Heart of Quest Education Group’s Strategy
Testimonial by Helen Pattio Combe, national pedagogical director for languages and cultures
The TOEIC® certification plays a key role in the professional integration of students. Aware of its importance, Quest Education Group has integrated it into the curricula of its four training programs: G Art, G Business, G Tech, Guardia, and Cybersecurity School, to boost graduates’ career opportunities. Helen Pattio Combe, who leads this initiative, shares her experience and reflects on the implementation of the program and its tangible impact on students’ career paths.
A program focused on career success
The school’s objective is to equip students with the essential skills to stand out in a demanding and ever-evolving job market.
“TOEIC tests provide official certification of their English proficiency, a crucial and highly valued skill in key sectors such as cybersecurity, management, video games, and many other internationally oriented fields,” explains Helen Pattio Combe.
Today, English proficiency is a must-have for recruiters, whether to secure an internship, a work-study placement, or a job.
“Without a recognized certification, professional opportunities can be significantly reduced, and candidates risk being excluded from recruitment processes,” she adds.
By incorporating the TOEIC Listening and Reading test into its curriculum and setting score requirements of 800/990 and 900/990 for its Guardia and Cybersecurity School programs respectively, the school provides students with a powerful tool to position themselves as competitive candidates.
A key asset to stand out to employers
More than just a line on a résumé, the TOEIC certification is a genuine asset in the eyes of employers.
“We have seen its direct impact on job placement. One student, despite scoring only 630/990 on the TOEIC Listening and Reading test, managed to land a work-study placement thanks to the certification, while other technically competent candidates were not selected because they couldn’t demonstrate their English proficiency,” shares Helen Pattio Combe.
In an increasingly global job market, demonstrating language skills with a recognized certification opens new doors. A strong TOEIC score enhances a candidate’s credibility and improves their chances of joining companies seeking bilingual, job-ready talent.
100% of our students have found a work-study placement thanks to their TOEIC Listening and Reading test score. When the certification was optional, those who took it clearly stood out in the job market
A structured preparation program
To help students succeed in the TOEIC tests, the school has developed a dedicated program called the “TOEIC Battle Plan.”
“We offer them 1.5 hours of English classes per week, along with unlimited access to an online training platform. Cybersecurity students, for whom a score of 900/990 on the TOEIC Listening and Reading test is required, even benefit from three hours of classes per week,” says Helen Pattio Combe.
At the start of the semester, a mock TOEIC test is organized to familiarize students with real exam conditions.
“This step helps identify areas for improvement and reduces test-related stress,” she notes.
The TOEIC certification: a springboard to employment
Since the integration of the TOEIC Listening and Reading test, results have been very positive.
“100% of our students have found a work-study placement. When the certification was optional, those who took it clearly stood out in the job market,” confirms Helen Pattio Combe.
Buoyed by this success, the school is considering introducing the TOEIC 4-Skills test for master's students.
“Employers are now looking for full English proficiency, including both spoken and written skills. This evolution will help us meet these new expectations,” she adds.
Integrating the TOEIC certification into the school’s programs directly responds to labor market demands.
“Students see this certification as a true asset and are fully engaged in their preparation. Thanks to this support, they enhance their competitiveness and gain easier access to professional opportunities,” concludes Helen Pattio Combe.