Apprenticeships - The issue
Apprenticeship take up is currently extremely low and this type of training tends not to be structured, nor to result in a recognised qualification.
It is acknowledged that apprenticeship training could attract and support a more diverse workforce and perhaps provide an alternative to higher education provision.
A structured approach to training and qualifying new entrants - whether graduate or non graduate - could also diminish artificial boundaries in the workforce.
It has been suggested that ‘business acclimatisation’ schemes could be developed in partnership with industry whereby graduates work on real projects, with real deadlines and managed budgets, but in a sheltered environment free of the commercial pressures of working for a company, thus minimising the risk and, in some cases expense, for any participating companies.
More structured graduate training schemes need to be supported for the games industry to ensure that individuals at entry points who could move into programming or project management roles are given the skills to do so.
WHAT WILL BE DONE?
- Industry Induction: The Interactive Media and Computer Games Skills Forums will work with Skillset to develop an Industry Induction Programme and supporting materials that will be available on-line and through events to be used by employers, education providers, and festival organisers, to ensure that all individuals hoping to work in the industry understand the many sectors, types of companies, and variety of job roles. This project will be launched in January 2006 and initially run for two years, although it is anticipated that the expertise gathered will become an integral part of the ongoing Skillset Careers service. Computer Games Apprenticeship for QA and Testers: The Computer Games industry will be working with Skillset to develop an apprenticeship for QA/tester roles to be consulted on and if possible piloted from autumn 2005 or April 2006.
- The Computer Games Skills Forum will work with Regional Development Agencies, Trade Associations, and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, to pilot this apprenticeship where possible and where most appropriate for the industry.
This will be part of a larger project, funded by the SSDA, to develop models for apprenticeships in the audio visual industries. The project will involve UK-wide industry research, the development of a model, the design of the units/qualification components, identification of entry requirements and progression routes, and piloting of the model.
In the first instance this could be Yorkshire & Humberside, in partnership with Game Republic and Yorkshire Forward; the South East of England, in partnership with The South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA); and the North West of England, in partnership with Media Training North West and Games Alliance. Opportunities in the North East of England and the Midlands are currently being explored.
For more information on the progress of this project read the briefing paper available on this site: Computer Games Apprenticeships
- Game Republic and the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) have also expressed an interest in developing apprenticeship models for other parts of the Computer Games or Interactive Media sector, and for graduates as a priority. Realistic opportunities will be identified through discussion with the Computer Games and Interactive Media Skills Forums, convened by Skillset.
- Skillset will also work with South West Screen to develop a model for an apprenticeship in Storyboarding for Animation, which will potentially impact on and benefit all the Interactive Media and Computer Games sectors.
Support from, and partnership with, the following funding and policy agencies will be essential to the success of potential apprenticeship models in the Interactive Media and Computer Games industry:
- QCA/SQA/Awarding Bodies - to partner Skillset in developing and accrediting 'fit for purpose' qualifications; LSC National - to agree to fund qualifications and frameworks that meet industry requirements and national criteria; LSCs and Regional or National Development Agencies - to work with Skillset to set up and fund apprenticeship partnerships, forging links between employers and providers and supporting SMEs directly in the delivery of apprenticeships.
