How can the UK games industry solve its skills shortage?
Earlier this year, a new report explored new facets of the UK's ongoing skills shortage, both at a mid to senior level but also with a lack of vacancies for entry-level positions.
Skillful's report also called for a new industry-led body to resolve the situation. But with confusion lingering as to who should fund such a venture, it's worth the industry looking at other, more immediate solutions. That said, immediate should not be confused with short-term; Into Games' head of partnerships and development Brandon Cole emphasises the need for long-term solutions.
"There are numerous challenges that are all interconnected and a holistic approach is needed to be able to resolve them – solving [any] one particular challenge will [not] fix everything," he tells GamesIndustry.biz.
"Into Games believes that there is a serious breakdown in the understanding of the value that entry level talent adds to an organisation, and an unwillingness to give resources to foster and support that talent. There is no lack of talent, talent is everywhere, and academia is training thousands of students every year for roles that the sector needs – the challenge we're trying to fix is getting the sector to invest in those people."
Lien Cross is NDreams' early careers manager, working with the studio's NDreams Academy program for apprenticeships, internships graduate hires. She adds that the growing skills gaps are likely to cause recruitment challenges further down the line, especially if the focus on mid and senior levels results in even fewer opportunities for junior talent. She suggests that, instead of seeking 'quick fixes,' companies should aspire to grow their own talent by putting long-term support and skill development programs in place for their current staff. Larger and well-resourced studios will be better placed to do this, with Cross adding that these companies "should be leading the way" when it comes to investing in junior talent.
She also agrees with the proposal for a new skills
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