Rethinking the Skills Gap in the Industry

The proposal for an industry-led body to address skills shortages in the UK, as outlined in Skillfull's report, is a step in the right direction. The industry has struggled with finding staff with specialized skillsets for decades, and while various initiatives have been launched, the underlying problems persist. A body with the support of the industry, education sector, and government could potentially develop more effective solutions. However, the recent layoffs of thousands of staff globally have made it challenging to discuss skills shortages. The reasons behind these layoffs, largely due to financial constraints, have resulted in damage to the industry's skilled labor pool. Many skilled staff may not return to the industry, and the passion that drives people to work in games is being tested by the instability caused by layoffs. This is particularly true for older, more experienced staff who value career stability and may seek alternative options. The industry is also facing a challenge in attracting young, enthusiastic talent, as they are deterred by the instability and layoffs. These problems are not new but have been exacerbated by recent events. Solving them will require a slow and complex process, and some changes, such as improving staff retention through better working conditions, are beyond the scope of an industry skills body. The Skillfull report highlights areas for improvement, including the low number of junior roles being advertised, which suggests a lack of commitment to developing new talent. This is understandable on a case-by-case basis but damaging when viewed at the industry level. The 'just-in-time' approach to staffing can create a vicious cycle where companies are reluctant to hire and train junior staff, ultimately worsening the skills shortage. The industry is faced with a tragedy of the commons situation, where everyone wants to hire skilled staff but is unwilling to invest in training new staff. The current surplus of skilled staff due to layoffs may have temporarily alleviated the skills shortage, but the problem will worsen when this situation ends.