UK GAMES CAREERS WEEK RETURNS TO SHOWCASE OPPORTUNITIES

Returning for its third year, Games Careers Week celebrates diverse pathways into a career in games for young people of all backgrounds, through events, media, diverse developers, and online activities.

It takes place from June 19^th to 23^rd and is being organised by the National Videogame Museum. The week will bring together organisations, individuals and educational institutions to showcase excellence and celebrate the UK games industry.

The events are aimed at not only encouraging and inspiring young people’s passion to enter the industry, but will also help parents understand the credibility of a career in games.

Women in Games, alongside Into Games, Grads In Games and NextGen Skills Academy, have partnered with the NVM to help deliver activities, events and resources throughout the week while encouraging studios and educational institutions to participate with their own activities in this week-long national festival.

The NVM will host a ‘Why do Videogames Matter?’ symposium on June 21st in collaboration with Leeds Trinity University, where academics and industry speakers will debate this provocation.

June 22nd and 23rd will see a careers fair inviting studios, FE and HE providers to exhibit at the museum and demonstrate alternative pathways into the industry. Students will be invited from high pupil premium schools, SEND and alternative FE providers to discover a variety of careers and take part in STEM based workshops. All will be available to them for free with the help of co-sponsors Boneloaf, a Sheffield based indie game studio.

Into Games will organise activities aimed at FE students to help students build confidence in developing their portfolios, and taking the next steps on the games careers ladder. And Women in Games Ambassadors are being encouraged to participate in events aimed at young people.

Any organisation, school, university or games studio can participate in Games Careers Week to inspire young people, parents and teachers to discover careers in games. The NVM has provided a resource pack showcasing examples of events that institutions can organise, host or promote. No matter the size of the event, Games Careers Week highlights how a little can go a long way in someone’s life. Studios could host game jams, provide expert talks or studio tours, while educational institutions can take part in online courses or design videogames using Scratch or Twine.

Events will be added to the Games Careers Week website in the weeks leading up to June 19th June – accessible here.

Stacey Jubb, Head of Learning at the NVM said: “Games Careers Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate the fantastic range of careers in the games industry.  We are excited to be hosting a two-day career fair at the NVM which will showcase alternative pathways into the industry, give students opportunities to take part in workshops, speak to industry professionals and experience our interactive museum.  If you are wanting to embark on a career in games but not sure how or where to start, our careers fair is the place to be!”

Women in Games CEO Marie-Claire Isaaman added: “Encouraging the next generation of talent to consider a career in games is incredibly important to the future of our industry, so we’re thankful to the National Videogames Museum for hosting this week-long event. We are delighted to be a partner, and urge as many of our community – Corporate, Education or Individual Ambassadors – to take part and help to showcase the many pathways into games for women and girls.”