With more than 1,000 vacancies available, start a lucrative gaming career

SPENDING too much time on computer games during lockdown? Or fed up with the kids being glued to a screen?

Well, don’t be. Time spent gaming may just be the start of a successful and lucrative career.

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We spent a record £7billion on the pastime in last year, up 30 per cent on 2019, and this is fuelling a surge in jobs.

There are currently around 1,000 vacancies in the UK. Not only is this line of work well paid, with salaries averaging £40,000, it is also hugely varied.

Creative tech

Roles range from game designers and programmers and testers, to animators, software developers and even playing competitively for money.

The inaugural Games Careers Week, which runs from today until next Friday, sees 75 top firms from the industry come together to offer free online events and careers advice.

Rick Gibson, who is one of the week’s founders, says: “The games industry should be a poster-child for the UK’s export-driven knowledge economy. Most parents don’t know the UK supports more than 25,000 stable, exciting and well-paid jobs — which grew in number by over 12 per cent in 2020, right through the pandemic.

“We want to help diverse young people, their parents and their educators to learn more about why creative technology is so important for their futures.”

Employment Minister Mims Davies adds: “Gaming can traditionally be a rather challenging sector to break into, so it’s great to see the industry during Games Careers Week giving such exciting opportunities to young people.”

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ALL THE HOURS COUNT

SHOULD night workers clock on for an extra hour when the clocks go forward this weekend?

Alan Price of BrightHR says: “Although those who do not work at the weekend will be in bed when it happens, consider how this affects working hours and pay for those working in the early hours of Sunday.” Here is Alan’s advice.

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DRINK UP

The pubs NOT planning to impose vaccine passport rules on customers

BACK IN BUSINESS

Full list of businesses to reopen on Monday including outdoor pools

FRIDAY FEELING

TGI Fridays to reopen 28 restaurants for outdoor dining on April 12

NOTE THIS

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BANK CLOSURES

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BEER WE GO

This is when Boris will make vaccine passport announcement for pubs & holidays

1. Unlike when the clocks go back in October, employers do not need to be concerned about the risk of paying under the national minimum wage or breaking working-time rules. But employees will technically be working an hour less in a shift.
2. Employers and employees alike must be clear on pay expectations. Salaried workers will generally get the same amount but staff paid by the hour could get less money as they are working an hour less. Check contracts to see what you are entitled to.
3. Consider “cancelling out” the extra hour by offsetting it against the October clock change, going an hour back. Employers should ensure staff who work an hour less in March also work the night shift in October and that they do not breach minimum-wage laws.
4. If an employee is scheduled to work on Sunday morning, they should be reminded that the clocks are going forward an hour and encouraged to prepare for this. Employee lateness can be costly for a company – and employers can discipline late workers if necessary.

POWER UP POINT C

YOUR prospects could go nuclear with a role constructing the new Hinkley Point C power station.

There are 300 roles available for steel fixers, carpenters and supervisors at the site in Somerset, which is due to open in 2026.

Applicants will need a minimum NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification.

Project leader Stuart Griffiths said: “These jobs are a great opportunity to work on one of the biggest and most interesting projects in Europe. The facilities and support available are extensive and give people the chance to make the most of their career.”

WOMEN TUNING IN

CALLING would-be radio stars! Media giant Bauer is offering a new course to get more female voices on the airwaves.

Its Women In Programming scheme will give freelancers training via evening classes. And the firm’s dance radio station Kiss is launching a summer school to give female talent aged 16 to 24 a start in radio.

Presenter Swarzy Macaly said: “I can’t stress enough how great this programme is, giving women and girls the training they need to start and progress their careers in audio and radio. Whether you’re a freelancer wanting to learn new skills or a young woman trying to get your foot in the door, I’d encourage you to get in touch.”

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk