A NEW Game Development Academy aims to provide 16 talented individuals with the skills and experience required to take up exciting new opportunities in the growing industry.
Attending the launch at Parliament Buildings this week, Department for Employment and Learning Deputy Secretary Catherine Bell said: “The IT industry and specifically the game development sector has shown significant growth here in recent years.
There is now a need for additional skilled people to enter the industry and the Game Development Academy will provide the skills required to allow people to gain opportunities in local companies.
“Delivered through my department’s Assured Skills initiative, this Academy proves that the government, the private sector and our further education colleges can respond quickly to industry needs by designing a bespoke programme to meet the need of the sector.”
Targeting talented creative individuals, the Academy will offer an intensive 16-week training programme including a company placement.
Successful participants will gain an industry recognised qualifications and NI Screen, through the Aim High: Gaming scheme, funded by Invest NI, will offer a 12 month game development industry placement for up to six participants on the Academy programme.
Alastair Hamilton, CEO of Invest Northern Ireland, added: “I am delighted to launch Northern Ireland’s first ever Game Development Academy.
“Gaming is an emerging industry here in Northern Ireland and is worth an estimated £6bn across the UK. Invest NI is supporting many local companies in this area through programmes such as Propel and through our support of Northern Ireland Screen.
“The Academy, supported by Invest Northern Ireland, will build on this momentum, and help shape the growth of the games industry here.”
The Academy has been designed by Northern Ireland’s game development companies with support from the Department for Employment and Learning, Invest NI, NI Screen and NRC, in conjunction with South West College and Southern Regional College.
Applications to the Game Development Academy will close on October 2 at 4pm and the training programme for successful applicants will start on November 2 at Northern Regional College (NRC), Newtownabbey campus.