Stiegler EdTech (SET), a mission-driven organization that provides training, upskilling, and career advancement, and – PlayVS, the leading esports platform for varsity high school leagues in North America, have recently announced a transformative partnership that will propel their shared mission to improve the educational outcomes of students by using esports as a bridge towards STEM and digital upskilling.
Stiegler EdTech will become the official PlayVS STEM, training, and workforce development partner, initially extending digital upskilling tools through esports to students in need in over 700 high schools in 100 counties in North Carolina. The joint effort aims to expand access to esports by developing essential connections with colleges and corporations to bridge the gap between education and post-high school career opportunities statewide.
SET has run the Varsity esports and STEM League (VESL) since 2022 and recently partnered with the State of North Carolina to expand its competitions statewide. North Carolina, high school students, can compete in the VESL for free and be allowed to learn STEM skills alongside the competition. The VESL currently features competition in Rocket League, Madden, Super Smash Bros., Overwatch 2, VALORANT, and Fortnite. At the same time, the collaboration with PlayVS aims to provide newly onboarded high school access to four titles. So far, only Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Rocket League were named.
Speaking on the partnership, CEO of PlayVS, Jon Chapman, said:
We’re thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Stiegler EdTech. Esports has shown its power in enhancing student engagement, attendance, and overall mental wellness. By integrating our esports expertise with SET’s dedication to educational excellence, we can empower thousands of North Carolina students, fostering success in gaming, classrooms, and future workplaces. Beyond this initial partnership, the model holds incredible potential for replication across other states–we’re very excited about what’s ahead.
VESL hopes to deliver valuable coding and technology skills to address the talent needs of North Carolina’s tech companies. All North Carolina high school students can join VESL for free, where they will learn necessary STEM skills while engaging in esports and STEM competitions organized by their schools.
PlayVS (pronounced Play Versus) is on a mission to unlock the many benefits of esports for players everywhere. The platform offers a single community in which players, coaches, educators and parents come together to compete, connect and grow through the power of esports. It is the official high school esports partner to the NFHS Network, the Special Olympics and state and regional organizations in the U.S. and Canada that provide officially sanctioned scholastic esports leagues.
Tariq Bokhari, Chairman of Stiegler EdTech, commented:
Joining forces with PlayVS brings the gold standard varsity esports platform and the cutting edge of innovation in STEM education and workforce development. What we are doing today in North Carolina, and soon after nationwide, is setting a new standard for meeting kids where they are via gaming and creating a bridge that changes lives and upward mobility trajectories through a first-of-its-kind competitive varsity approach to STEM learning while also generating the workforce talent desperately needed at scale, and tailor-matched to the unique employer needs of each region.
Stiegler EdTech courses are designed to offer lucrative professional opportunities for both active students and job-seeking adults. By focusing on an end-to-end ecosystem solution, the firm can build long-term, continuous development by adding skilled, diverse people to a region’s IT talent pool, allowing organizations to hire and invest confidently.
