NCsoft is piloting the UK’s first Apprenticeship in Quality Assurance and Games Production, in partnership with City College Brighton, PartnerTrans and Skillset.

The course focuses on games testing and improving the general gaming experience.

Four trainees have been enrolled onto the Apprenticeship and have entered into the QA team at NCsoft in Brighton for a year-long work placement supplemented by regular college training at the City College Brighton.

Computer games and animation manager at Skillset Chris Chilton said: “Skillset’s Apprenticeship in QA and Games Production is a key part of the games industry’s skills strategy. It offers a structured entry point outside of the games industry’s traditional academic routes.

“The Apprenticeship is led and delivered by the games industry, with the trainee spending the majority of the time with a company being mentored by an experienced practitioner. NCsoft support has been vital in Skillset’s development and piloting of the scheme and in offering trainees the opportunity to work in this exciting sector whilst earning a recognised qualification.”

QA manager at NCsoft Europe Sam Watts added: “Being involved in the shaping of the future Apprenticeship and mentoring the candidates allows me to pass my experience on to potential future full-time employees; or just be happy in the knowledge that they are able to gain employment elsewhere with a sound understanding of the fast-paced games industry.”