Government Stats Confirm Game Dev Talent Shortage
Back-handed admission
Posted 2 Jun 2009

Blame Canada?
The USA and E3 are attracting all the attention right now but real life continues. Hidden inside a recent question and answer session inside the UK's Houses of Parliament was a tacit admission that the country's video game development community is indeed draining away to shores more tax-pleasant.
Labour MP David Drew asked Minister of State, Phil Woolas, the following: "...what occupations in her Department's most recent shortage occupation lists relate to job titles in the software industry."
Woolas replied, "The Government's latest shortage occupation list, which was announced on 13 May, contains roles within visual effects and 2D/3D animation for film, television or video games, R and D software and software engineer."
Certainly this can be seen in terms of a super-healthy industry that can't employ enough talented professionals due to the sheer amount of output. The more likely scenario, however, is that without government support, talent is bleeding overseas.
Labour MP David Drew asked Minister of State, Phil Woolas, the following: "...what occupations in her Department's most recent shortage occupation lists relate to job titles in the software industry."
Woolas replied, "The Government's latest shortage occupation list, which was announced on 13 May, contains roles within visual effects and 2D/3D animation for film, television or video games, R and D software and software engineer."
Certainly this can be seen in terms of a super-healthy industry that can't employ enough talented professionals due to the sheer amount of output. The more likely scenario, however, is that without government support, talent is bleeding overseas.
Comments
This is a case of those in seats of power totally overlooking what the games indusstry brings into the country. While they've been busy worrying about their expenses, devs are upping stick and rolling out, and who can blame them. It so like or government, they'll only act and give those much wanted tax breaks, when its far too late.
As for promoting talent in these fields, the government again does a poor job, because they do not do their homework or know how to advertise for these fields. If they were wise, they'd include people from each of these sectors in the creation of such campaigns. Perhaps then there would be more success.
Options for education in these fields have to come from a secondary/high school level, because there are many people for whom that will be their last brush with education. Beyond that its really only universities that offer these focused courses. ICS courses should also offer another option for learning these fields. ICS do have a game design and development course, but at 2k for a four year course, I don't know. Its an option but isn't advertsed well at al and you can't select an area, like game art. You might be better off joining a MOD/XNA community, where learning is free and you can select your field.
Expensive uni isn't only the option.Those in the U.K industry should put their heads together and tackle this, before the U.K talent pool runs dry.
As for promoting talent in these fields, the government again does a poor job, because they do not do their homework or know how to advertise for these fields. If they were wise, they'd include people from each of these sectors in the creation of such campaigns. Perhaps then there would be more success.
Options for education in these fields have to come from a secondary/high school level, because there are many people for whom that will be their last brush with education. Beyond that its really only universities that offer these focused courses. ICS courses should also offer another option for learning these fields. ICS do have a game design and development course, but at 2k for a four year course, I don't know. Its an option but isn't advertsed well at al and you can't select an area, like game art. You might be better off joining a MOD/XNA community, where learning is free and you can select your field.
Expensive uni isn't only the option.Those in the U.K industry should put their heads together and tackle this, before the U.K talent pool runs dry.
Those in power are going to HAVE to start worrying about where the money comes from. Britain as an economic powerhouse of financial services lies in tatters. We do not manufacture anything of note. It's time they started putting in place some real strategy for knowledge based industry, and other potential growth industries like green energy.
They won't, of course.
They won't, of course.
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This might be good news for people like me as there might be more jobs for software engineers. That usually means more pay as companys fight for potential employees with certain skill sets. But is damaging to the development of the software industry in the UK.