Chris Chilton from Skillset, along with Marc Greco of City College Brighton and Sam Watts of NCSoft, talked about the first year of a modern apprenticeship scheme that has placed people in QA roles. For more information visit: http://www.pixel-lab.co.uk http://www.gamesedu.co.uk

2. ANOTHER WAY?

3. Source: Skillset Census 2006 Source: www.news.bbc.co.uk 4% BAME Groups

4. 69% Graduates Source: Skillset Workforce Survey 2004

5. “ It is acknowledged that apprenticeship training could attract and support a more diverse workforce and perhaps provide and alternative to higher education provision.” Source: Creating the Future

6. Initial Points to Consider An Apprenticeship will not provide a progression route into programming, artwork or animation. An Apprenticeship could provide a viable progression route into production, or a more senior position in QA

7. TO BE A GAMES TESTER… create test plans Communicate technical solutions commercial awareness level creation tools and other tools good game player know different types of QA perform a test plan A QA TESTER

8. Important Generic Skills to Learn managing problems and creative thinking conflict management take initiative scheduling and time management logic and problem solving concentration and attention to detail communication techniques analytical skills literacy and numeracy

9. HOW TO DEVELOP THESE SKILLS THE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT

10. The Programme Induction Award – delivered at City College Brighton Mentored placement with QA team

11. INDUCTION AWARD employment and professional development current and emerging technologies health and safety working practices and protocols

13. PLACEMENT AT NCSOFT emails and examples of communication a test plan, bug report and screenshots game evaluation reports managing problems and creative thinking conflict management take initiative scheduling and time management logic and problem solving concentration and attention to detail communication techniques analytical skills

14. CITY COLLEGE BRIGHTON AND NCSOFT

15. www.skillset.org /games Chris Chilton Computer Games Manager [email_address] / 020 7520 5794