The desire to attract young, aspirational talent and bring them into its many creative studios, makes Sumo Digital one of the leading voices in driving skill diversity within the game development ecosystem. 

We want to ensure that the next generation of video game developers, programmers, artists, designers and QA testers are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to create truly amazing games, right here at Sumo Digital. 

Back in September 2020, we launched the Sumo Digital Academy, focusing on training people in game programming and software development at our Sumo Sheffield studio. Since then, the Academy has welcomed two cohorts through its doors, eager to learn their trade and become fully fledged members of the industry. 

If you’ve heard about the Sumo Digital Academy and want to find out more, we’ve put together a brief introduction to what it’s all about, and how it’s helping to shape future game dev superstars. 

EXPERT LEADERSHIP: A Wealth of Experience 

At the helm of the Sumo Digital Academy you will find Dr Jacob Habgood, Sumo’s Director of Education Partnerships. Dr Habgood helps lead the apprenticeship training scheme, uncovering passionate new candidates from all walks of educational and employment backgrounds. 

With over a decade of experience as a professional programmer and technical lead making console games, as well as being the former Director of the Games Britannia Festival, Dr Habgood brings a wealth of experience to the Academy and all its apprentices. 

OFFICIAL RECOGNITION: Leading the Way 

Sumo Digital Academy is the first of its kind in the UK to offer a games industry programming course recognised by the UK government and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. The Academy offers opportunities to graduates from areas outside of games who wish to adapt their skill set and make the leap into the games industry. 

The Academy is not just aimed at graduates though. Anyone looking for a career change, has transferrable skills or can demonstrate the ability to adapt to a completely new workplace, can also enter the programme. 

MADE THE GRADE: Education with an Impact 

Those who have joined the Sumo Digital Academy have gone on to join Sumo Digital in a full-time role. This not only highlights the benefits of having an award-winning company at the Academy’s roots but also reinforces Sumo’s dedication to the academies core philosophy. One example is Emma Rogers, a Sumo Digital Academy 2021 graduate who is now a Programmer at Sumo Sheffield. 

DIVERSITY AWARENESS: Skill Up, Branch Out 

We, like many other companies in the video games industry, always strive to do more to be more diverse and attract a talented people from any background. The Sumo Digital Academy is no exception, as we also offer a Diversity Internship Training Programme. 

This programme is specifically aimed at giving people from under-represented groups the opportunities to receive training and mentoring in games programming, to gain insight into what it would be like as a career. 

BACK TO SCHOOL: Always Learning, Always Improving 

Even before reaching graduate level, the Sumo Digital Academy aims to help inspire young people encouraging them to join the games industry in a professional capacity. The Academy collaborates with schools and colleges with outreach activities, to help nurture the next generation of developers. So far we have delivered on-site workshops, presentations, digital programmes and in-person collaboration with teachers. 

The Sumo Digital Academy has a clear goal – to build a new generation of talent to make the games of the future. So, if this sounds like something that you’d be interested in, please visit the Sumo Digital Academy website for more details.