Ukie appoints Blitz vet Kim Blake to new role
Next Gen talent development coordinator will aid flow of talent into the UK industry
Ukie has appointed Blitz Games veteran Kim Blake to the newly created role of Next Gen talent development co-ordinator.
The new post, which is co-funded by Ukie and Creative Skillset, will serve as a conduit between the games industry and educators as they work together to increase the flow of UK talent with experience in computer science.
Previously, Blake was the senior events and education co-ordinator at Blitz Games, a role she has held since 2005. While at Blitz, she played a key role in the company's educational outreach intiatives, particularly the Bliz Academy Open Days. Prior to that she worked at Headfirst Productions, Argonaut Sheffield and Gremlin Interactive.
"I am incredibly excited to have been given the opportunity to work with Ukie and Creative Skillset on the development and promotion of next gen skills," Blake said in a statement. "So many people are doing excellent work in this area; I'm really looking forward to working with them all to maximise awareness of the careers available, the skills needed and the opportunities that are already out there, as well as helping to foster communication between existing and new initiatives."
The UK government recently added computer science to the English Baccalaureate, which requires GCSE pupils to attain grades in core subjects. The study of computer science will now count towards a grade in the sciences - one of the key recommendations of the Next Gen Skills report.
'We are delighted that computer science has been recognised as a discipline in its own right," said Kate O'Connor, deputy chief executive of Creative Skillset. "By partnering with Ukie in creating this vital new role, we are able to offer practical support in its take up.
"Kim's experience and knowledge of the games industry, coupled with her incredible passion, make her the ideal person to drive this work forward. Helping the games industry work more closely with schools, colleges and universities will make a huge difference to producing the highly skilled work force that it needs to continue to grow."