August 27, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Greenville, SC – Greenville County Schools (GCS) is joining forces with Hats & Ladders, an innovative educational technology company, to revolutionize career readiness for its students. This strategic partnership leverages Hats & Ladders’ cutting-edge, game-based platform to provide GCS students with personalized career exploration and planning tools, ensuring they are equipped with the confidence, skills, and experiences needed to thrive in the ever-evolving world of work.
Recognizing the challenges students face navigating today’s complex job market, Hats & Ladders has developed a personalized career readiness platform that moves beyond traditional career assessments. This innovative approach empowers Greenville County students to explore their interests, build essential skills, and create a dynamic post-secondary plan that adapts to their evolving aspirations, guiding them from initial career curiosity to a confident launch into their future.
“We’ve built a platform that empowers students to take ownership of their career journey,” says Leah Potter, President and co-founder of Hats & Ladders. “Students begin by exploring diverse careers and identifying their interests. Once they’ve ‘favorited’ one or more careers, we help them build a personalized career plan, complete with milestones and action steps. Along the way, students develop essential ‘Powerskills,’ gain career-specific skills, and explore real-world opportunities like job shadowing, part-time work, or internships.
“Of course, we understand that career paths evolve,” adds Potter. “Our platform is purposefully built to adapt to students’ changing interests, ensuring they explore multiple possibilities and connect with the training and guidance needed to launch confidently into their futures.” In Greenville County, this means not only helping students discover fulfilling careers but also preparing them for the high-demand jobs that will drive the region’s economy, such as roles in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology. Hats & Ladders was selected for its proven track record of empowering students to make informed choices and successfully transition to post-secondary opportunities aligned with these and other in-demand fields.
Hats & Ladders’ focus on career exploration and skill-building aligns seamlessly with GCS’s Graduation Plus initiative. By providing students with personalized plans, real-world work experiences, and industry certifications, Hats & Ladders directly supports the district’s goal of increasing the number of students who graduate college- and career-ready. Dr. W. Burke Royster, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools, recognizes the power of these opportunities, stating that “It’s not a predictor that you can do these things. It’s proof,” emphasizing the importance of equipping students with tangible credentials.
Serving over 75,000 students, GCS is one of the nation’s largest school districts. This partnership marks a significant step in revolutionizing how Greenville students and educators approach career learning, setting a precedent for strategic collaborations that empower the next generation to thrive in the workforce.
Thanks for the opportunity to explore new and innovative ways to prepare our youth
H&L Educator
for the workplace.