Shaping the Future of Talent in the Gaming Industry

In the latest episode of the Playable Futures podcast, a panel of industry experts delves into the challenges and opportunities surrounding the gaming industry's talent pipeline. Joining host Will Freeman are Marcia Deakin, co-founder of Next Gen Skills Academy, Shahneila Saeed, head of education at UKIE and director of Digital Schoolhouse, and Keira McGarvey, head of people at Futurlab. Together, they discuss the sector's ongoing struggle to fill junior positions and address the skills gap at senior levels, despite the presence of high-quality university courses tailored to industry specialisms. The panel explores the causes of this disparity and proposes thoughtful solutions for the future, emphasizing the benefits of a more diverse and inclusive workforce. As Marcia Deakin notes, 'The games industry has long had challenges with the talent pipeline. We don't have enough people with the right skills coming into the industry.' Shahneila Saeed highlights the importance of collaboration between educators and industry professionals, stating, 'It's really important - getting industry and educators to talk to each other so that we can share that knowledge and expertise.' Keira McGarvey discusses the need to provide opportunities for young people to develop skills earlier, saying, 'If we start earlier – in early education – people who don't have the ability to go to university or college won't find it a blocker for them getting into an industry or a career that they want to fulfil.' The panel also touches on the potential benefits of employing individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, including improved productivity, cultural sensitivity, and team building. Ultimately, the discussion reveals the vast potential of the talent pipeline and the importance of strategic management and diversification for long-term success.