Certified Quality Grader (CQG) – Verifiable Digital Badge
Issued by Kenya Coffee School
The CQG Verifiable Digital Badge is Kenya Coffee School’s modern, secure, and globally recognized way of validating the competency of Certified Quality Graders. It allows graduates to showcase their professional qualification across digital platforms while giving employers, roasters, cooperatives, exporters, and institutions a quick and trusted method of checking authenticity.
What the CQG Digital Badge Represents
The badge confirms that the holder has successfully completed the rigorous Certified Quality Grader program and demonstrated proficiency in:
- Advanced sensory evaluation & cupping
- Green coffee grading and defect analysis
- Quality scoring and calibration
- Processing influence on cup attributes
- Ethical, unbiased and transparent quality assessment
It is a digital symbol of competence, integrity, and credibility in the coffee value chain.
Key Features of the CQG Digital Badge
1. Verifiable Authentication
Anyone can click the badge to verify:
- Holder’s name
- Certification level
- Issuing institution (Kenya Coffee School)
- Date of issue & validity
- Skills mastered
- Unique verification ID
- Blockchain or database-backed proof of authenticity
This eliminates fake certificates and builds trust.
2. Portable Across Platforms
Graduates can display the badge on:
- CVs and resumes
- Email signatures
- WhatsApp profiles
- Personal websites
- Portfolios and digital business cards
- Employer HR systems
The badge provides instant recognition in both local and international coffee markets.
3. Secure, Tamper-Proof & Permanent
The badge includes a unique digital signature and verification URL.
It cannot be altered, duplicated, or forged.
4. Skill-Rich Metadata
Each badge carries detailed information about the holder’s capabilities, including:
- Sensory accuracy scores
- Cupping session hours completed
- Calibration results
- Grading competencies
- Processing knowledge areas
- Practical lab experience
This allows employers and partners to understand the depth of training.
5. Compatibility with Credly, Open Badges & Custom Systems
The badge is designed to comply with global digital credential standards, including:
- Open Badges 3.0
- Credly-style metadata
- QR-code verification
- API integrations for organizations
Why the CQG Digital Badge Matters
For Graduates
- Boosts career prospects
- Demonstrates verified expertise
- Increases credibility in the specialty coffee sector
- Supports freelance grading and consultancy opportunities
For Farmers & Cooperatives
- Confirms graders who evaluate their coffee are qualified
- Reduces bias and unfair grading
- Strengthens transparency and trust
For Roasters & Exporters
- Easier hiring of skilled quality staff
- Assurance of accurate, professional sensory evaluation
- Stronger quality control systems
For the Kenyan Coffee Industry
- Sets a new national benchmark for grading excellence
- Supports quality-driven pricing and better farmer returns
- Positions Kenya as a leader in modern coffee quality assurance
