Advocacy News – Jan. 17, 2024
What’s happening: High school gamers that participate and compete in electronic sports, also known as esports, are sweeping the nation. Turns out, these programs can help students build critical skill sets and explore growing career paths — creating a more resilient workforce for the future.
What are esports? According to the Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL), esports are played in a competitive, typically team-based environment. Similar to traditional sports, esports’ athletes practice and train to improve performance and coaches oversee the overall development of the players. However, games are played virtually.
Why it matters: Esports are helping reach a new student population and developing next generation talent pipelines.
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We often hear from employers that “soft skills” are increasingly becoming the hardest thing to find when hiring. Team-oriented activities, like esports helps build critical skills such as critical thinking, communication, responsibility, and leadership.
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Esports also provides students with exposure and hands-on working experience in various sectors such as technology, marketing, business, and more.
By the numbers:
- 83% of high school gamers have seen improvements in their communication skills.
- 78% have seen development in their leadership skills.
- Of those that partake in high school esports, 45% of those students have not previously participated in extracurricular activities.
Go deeper: Check out the MHSEL’s website and watch their most recent conference and championship video. Visit the online platform EmergeSkilled to help find entry level talent and build a pipeline.