The first-ever information technology (IT) and esports class offered in Milwaukee Public Schools began last week and will run through July 26.
The new class, called “Intro to IT & Esports,” will help Milwaukee students in 10th and 11th grades develop a broader understanding of the esports industry and learn skills to use in tech jobs in esports or related fields, according to a press release. Students will learn IT concepts and terminology, infrastructure, software development, security and technology support skills.
The Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that funds initiatives and programs that help MPS families, was the sole funder of the summer school class, the release said.
“We view this as just the beginning for esports education within MPS,” said MPS Foundation executive director Wendell Willis in the release. “Esports and online gaming is a rapidly growing industry, and our students deserve the opportunity to explore possible careers within it.”
More than 8,600 high schools have added esports as a sport since the National Federation of State High School Associations recognized it as an official sport in 2018, according to the release. Esports clubs already exist at MPS high schools like Ronald Reagan and Rufus King, but this summer class will be the first time esports is taught in a class setting.
The course was designed by Brookfield-based IT training company New Horizons of Wisconsin, which also provided the instructors. Local gaming organization MKEsports Alliance will help oversee the course and connect it with industry experts to use for presentations, according to the release.
Intro to IT & Esports adds to the growing list of esports initiatives in the Milwaukee area.
New Horizons and MKEsports Alliance partnered in October 2021 to create an esports and IT workforce development program that graduated its first cohort of students in January 2022. MKEsports Alliance has estimated the state of Wisconsin sees over $330 million added to the economy from the video game industry, which includes esports.
Bucks Gaming, a competitive esports team, launched its first youth summer camp in June at the group’s professional gaming facility located near Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
