The Sumo Digital Academy has expanded, now introducing an apprenticeship for aspiring technical artists.
The Sheffield-based academy focused on creating new pathways for programmers into the games industry has seen success with its Level 7 Game Programmer Apprenticeship Programme, with 100% of its graduates obtaining roles in the industry after 18 months.
Now, the academy is turning its attention to another key discipline for video games in the hopes of acquiring talented individuals.
“It has emboldened everybody to believe they’re part of something unique and relevant.”
Dr Jacob Habgood, Director of Education Partnerships at Sumo Digital, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new tech art cohort to the Sumo Digital Academy and see our learning community grow.
“The Sumo Digital Academy is all about creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and we’re excited to see what both cohorts will create from what they’ve learnt in the next 18 months.”
The new five-person technical art cohort is being led by Sumo Digital Academy Art Director David Wilson, a former Subject Group Leader Games Design for Sheffield Hallam University.
David said: “Teaching technical programming skills to artists empowers them to take on the most exciting creative challenges of a constantly evolving industry.
“The Sumo Digital Academy is all about creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and we’re excited to see what both cohorts will create from what they’ve learnt in the next 18 months.”
“Bringing them in alongside the existing programme allows for valuable interactions between coders and artists which cannot be engineered in a classroom. It has emboldened everybody to believe they’re part of something unique and relevant.”
The Academy, the first in the UK games industry to be recognised by the government and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, sees apprentices learning vital industry skills as well as having the opportunity to participate in work placement within Sumo’s family of studios.
For more information on the Sumo Digital Academy and how to apply, visit www.sumo-academy.com
