The association for the people and businesses of Sheffield's digital industries.

talent 23, a year of talent and skills

a year of talent and skills

Games Careers Week returns 19-25 June

by Claire Fletcher

Showcasing the wide array of diverse opportunities and pathways into the video games industry.

Returning for a 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. Organised by The National Videogame Museum (NVM), the week brings together organisations, individuals and educational institutions to showcase excellence and celebrate one of the UK’s fastest growing industries, which has a market worth of over £7 billion. For companies that would like to get involved, the NVM has provided a resource pack showcasing examples of events that you can organise, host or promote. Read on for more details.

Games Careers Week will not only encourage and inspire young people’s passion to enter the industry but will also help parents understand the credibility of a career in games (with nearly 21,000 people employed in the games sector in the UK in 2022 – a 25% increase on the previous year).

For 2023, The NVM alongside partners Into Games, Grads in Games, NextGen Skills Academy and Women In Games, will 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.

What’s happening?

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

On the 22 and 23 June the NVM will host a careers fair to showcase alternative pathways into the games industry. Students will be invited from high pupil premium schools, SEND and alternative FE providers to explore different careers and take part in STEM based workshops (created by the NVM’s award winning learning team and NextGen Skills Academy). All of this will be available 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 them build confidence in developing their portfolios and ambassadors from Women In Games’ global programme, will create and participate in activities aimed at young people.

How to get involved

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 19 June.

Stacey Jubb, Head of Learning at the NVM says: “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!”

For more information about Games Careers Week, visit the website: gamescareersweek.org and to find out more about the National Videogame Museum, based here in Sheffield, visit: www.thenvm.org.