Skillfully, a frontrunner in the skills-based hiring space, has officially launched its comprehensive product suite tailored for higher education institutions and workforce development organizations. The announcement, made at the ASU+GSV Summit, also included Skillfully’s recognition as a GSV Cup 50 company—an honor awarded to the top 50 early-stage companies shaping the future of digital learning and employment.
As employers shift from traditional hiring methods to skills-first strategies, educators and workforce partners are being challenged to evolve their curricula to match market needs. Skillfully addresses this gap with an immersive platform that helps students and jobseekers develop, validate, and showcase real-world skills that employers prioritize.
Why Skills-Based Hiring is Gaining Ground
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Industry Shift: Employers are prioritizing capabilities over degrees, especially in fast-changing fields.
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Preparation Gap: Many educational and workforce programs are not fully equipped to simulate job environments or measure soft skills.
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Resource Challenges: Career centers face limited resources and access to scalable, real-world training tools.
“The future of work is here, and employers are hiring for skills,” said Brett Waikart, CEO and co-founder of Skillfully. “Our new offering empowers students and jobseekers with practical skills, building confidence and career readiness.”
Features of Skillfully’s Product Suite
1. Employer-Designed Simulations
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Created in collaboration with real employers to reflect in-demand job scenarios.
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Allows students to practice and validate skills needed in the workforce.
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Offers exposure to potential employers through performance showcases.
2. Multi-Modal Interaction
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Simulations test communication skills across spoken and written language.
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Prepares participants for interviews, networking, and workplace interactions.
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Simulations mirror realistic business dialogues in a structured, interactive format.
3. AI-Driven Feedback & Scoring
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Delivers instant, explainable feedback on performance.
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Pinpoints strengths and areas for growth, enabling targeted skill development.
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Encourages self-guided improvement and builds confidence.
Real-World Impact & Outcomes
With over 16,000 users to date, Skillfully’s platform is delivering strong outcomes for learners and institutions alike:
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97% of users report feeling more prepared for the workplace.
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96% say it helps them stand out to potential employers.
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93% credit it with building critical, career-ready skills.
“Our students now have access to flexible, personalized work simulations that mirror real jobs and provide feedback that internships often can’t,” said Chantelle Wright, Executive Director for Experiential Education at Montclair State University.
Closing the Gap Between Learning and Employment
Skillfully’s platform marks a major advancement in experiential education, allowing universities and workforce organizations to provide accessible, scalable, and employer-aligned training. By enabling jobseekers to explore career paths, develop practical competencies, and receive employer-relevant feedback, Skillfully ensures that students are not only learning—but preparing to thrive.
