Sumo Digital Academy ‘Class of 2023’ celebrate graduation

It was cause
for celebration at the Sumo Sheffield studio this week as the Sumo Digital
Academy Class of 2023 came together for a special graduation event.

The cohort of nine
talented game programmers, who joined the Academy in 2022, have been the first
in the country to graduate on a programming apprenticeship recognised by the UK
Government – and have all secured a full-time role in the games industry.

Sumo Digital
Managing Director Gary Dunn and Sumo Group’s Director of Excellence and
Integration Darren Mills attended the graduation to give the cohort their
bespoke medals and certificates for completing their apprenticeships.

“I’d like to
take this opportunity to congratulate all our Class of 2023 graduates from the
Sumo Digital Academy,”
said Gary. “They’ve all worked so hard over the past 18 months and their
efforts have been rewarded with full-time roles among our family of Sumo
Digital studios.

“This goes to
show the importance of why we created the Academy in the first place, to offer
people the chance to break into the games industry. Best of luck to our cohort
graduates, and I look forward to seeing their talents grow even further in
their careers.”

The Sumo Digital
Academy was founded in 2020 to serve as a talent development programme creating
new pathways into the games industry – opening the door to graduates looking to
make their first career move, those skilled in different industries and those
seeking a career change.

The recent graduates,
as well as the latest cohort still with the Sumo Digital Academy, were given
the opportunity to develop and launch Zool: Redimensioned – a reimagining
of the classic Amiga action platformer from 1992 – which this week has been nominated
for two accolades at the upcoming TIGA Games Industry Awards.

“I’m very
proud of our amazing apprentices,” said Dr Jacob Habgood, Director of Education Partnerships at Sumo
Digital. “It’s not easy being the first to face the unknowns of a brand-new
qualification, but this group’s calm determination has always brought them
through. It’s been a pleasure working with such a focused and hard-working
cohort.”

Applications for
the Academy’s 2024 Game Programmer Apprenticeship Programme are currently open
until 22nd September – for more information visit https://www.sumo-academy.com/game-programmer-apprenticeship