Case Study

Ingeus is levelling up opportunities for computer gamers to turn their passions into professions by teaming up with specialist skills provider, Game Academy. Working together for the first time with a group of unemployed participants on the Restart Scheme in London is ensuring that valuable gaming skills like creativity, strategic thinking, and problem solving are put to good use in tech industry roles. 

 

The six week Play Games, Build Careers experience ran at the end of 2025. Delivered online with input from almost 20 games industry speakers and employers, the course gave insights into a wealth of in-demand skills and career options, including self-employment. Transferable skills were developed and strengthened with employability advice, while projects gave participants a taste of real-life cyber collaborations, wrapping up with a career progression event in collaboration with games, marketing, and cyber security employers. 

 

Not merely a side quest for hobbyists, the initiative supported learners, aged from 19 to 61, intent on developing careers in digital industries. All 27 participants who completed the course gained a Level 2 IT User Skills qualification, with 80% stating they felt more confident about getting a job. 

 

Founded by gamers, for gamers, Game Academy is a social impact venture that offers personal development and employment support to gamers. Founder and CEO, David Barrie says: 

 

“People acquire all sorts of skills from playing computer games and what games they play influences what skills they develop. Gaming can be frowned upon in many households, seen as a waste of time, but these learnt abilities – like logic, leadership, spatial reasoning, and data management – are very valuable and transferable skills.”  

 

Budget from the Performance Fund gave Ingeus an opportunity to offer this new and innovative programme. Game Academy provided materials designed to appeal to gamers while Ingeus vetted and inputted to the course content, strengthening links with recruiting employers. Once described to Ingeus’ Restart Scheme advisors, it quickly prompted applicants from across Central and West London. 

 

David adds: “The knowledge the Restart Advisors had of their participants was exceptional. They were excited for the chance to offer this and the quality of the people referred reflected that. We were able to step up a level in terms of the types of jobs and employers we were highlighting. 

 

“From the very start, Ingeus had the confidence and imagination to truly partner with us to get this right.” 

 

Tarik from Hackney was impressed with the practical knowledge he gained from the course. He’s struggled to break into the industry he loves and hopes to find a full-time role as a narrative designer or set up as an independent games designer. 

 

He said: “The Game Academy course gave me real industry knowledge. We worked on a live group project and had great guest speakers – all completely different and with varied roles. I learnt a lot about networking and developing my online presence too, which is already paying off.”  

 

With all participants stating that the programme had developed their skills and confidence, we can’t wait to see where in the digital world it takes them.