- 16–18-year-olds will get the chance speak to major games companies and leading education providers about career opportunities
- Event aims to encourage more diversity in the games industry
- Ubisoft, SEGA HARDlight and Abertay University will be in attendance
Games Jobs Live, which connects talent to UK games companies, is hosting an event to inspire the younger generation to consider a career in the video games industry.
The free online event, which is taking place on Tuesday 7 November at 4.30pm, is keen to address the diversity and gender imbalance in the industry and encourage more people to consider a career in gaming. The latest figures show 70% of people working in the gaming industry are male.
It will giveyoung people, aged 16-18, the opportunity to meet and speak with acclaimed games companies and top universities.
Featured speakers include Craig Charsley, senior talent acquisition specialist at Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry) and Sol Argüeso, lead recruiter from SEGA Hardlight (Sonic Dash and Sonic Forces). Mae Yup, co-founder of ERIC and Alex Perkins, art director at Avalanche Studios will also be discussing their careers and tips to get into the industry.
Escape Studios, Abertay University, Salford University and Glasgow School of Art will also discuss the video games courses they offer and will be available for the event duration to answer any questions they may have around apprenticeships, traineeships, personal development opportunities and skills needed.
Scotland is renowned for its game development with Grand Theft Auto being introduced to the world in 1997 by DMA Design (Rockstar North), and the University of Abertay which launched the world’s first computer games degree.
Today the Scottish games industry continues to grow and there are a whole host of games studios in the region offering plenty of job opportunities including Rockstar North, Outplay and Build a Rocket Boy.
Colin Macdonald, director of Games Jobs Live, said: “The global games market is worth $159 billion, with 2.7 billion people playing video games globally. So, there’s a real opportunity for diverse, young people to enter the thriving UK gaming industry but more needs to be done to communicate the wide-ranging opportunities available to them.
“The event’s main objective is to provide this information to the younger generation that are considering a possible future in the games industry but find it hard to get information that’s directly relevant to them.
“By bringing together some of the leading education providers, as well as prominent games studios, they can get advice and answers to their questions in one place and be better informed about their next career steps.
“There will be a range of support on hand from colleges, training providers and employers with available opportunities.”
Rona Whittet, student recruitment officer at Abertay University, said: “Abertay University is excited to be involved once again in the Getting into the Games Industry live event. We want to make more young people aware of the opportunities available to them.”
To sign up for free tickets, please visit – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-get-into-the-games-industry-2023-advice-from-industry-experts-tickets-741374329577
