Liverpool City Region: Innovation & Digital Careers

Sessions in this event were designed to build students’ employability skills and knowledge in preparation for the working world. Industry experts from Ramboll, NHS England, Liverpool Media Academy (LMA) and LYVA Labs introduced learners to a variety of digital roles through hands-on workshops, illuminating pathways to exciting careers!

All schools were invited to an apprenticeships session focused on roles in the Liverpool City Region. Students left the event fully informed on the opportunities apprenticeships offer and how to search and apply.

GameChangers: Console to Career

GameChangers is an initiative that brings together game developers, educators and industry organisations to pave the way for the next generation of video game creators.

This event was a fantastic opportunity for learners to discover how their talents can be a perfect fit for the games industry. Throughout the day, GameChangers, including PlayStation, Lucid Games, Avalanche Studios, CI Games and Skyhook Games led students in interactive activities to build employability skills, confidence and knowledge.

There are so many amazing game studios in the Liverpool City Region with roles that aren’t just about coding. The industry is a great field for young people interested in administration, human resources, office management, project coordination, marketing and more. There are roles available for all!

“Events like these are a fantastic example of how collaboration between education and industry can truly inspire and empower the next generation.  By bringing together passionate employers, educators and students, they help bridge the gap between the classroom and the world of work, offering valuable insight into the exciting and diverse opportunities within the digital and gaming industries across the Liverpool City Region.

Through hands-on workshops and engaging career talks, learners gain a clearer understanding of the wide range of roles available – from coding and innovation to marketing, project coordination, HR and beyond.  These sessions shine a light on career paths students may not have previously considered, showing that there is a place for every skill set in this thriving and growing sector.

At the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, we’re proud to support opportunities that build confidence, raise aspirations, and help young people take meaningful steps towards bright and successful futures.” – Gill Walsh, Strategic Careers Hub Lead, Liverpool City Region Careers Hub

“It has been a pleasure to continue our work with the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub and deliver two more inspiring experience of the workplace events. Following the success of our previous events, it was brilliant to see students again given the opportunity to take part in modern work experience with some amazing local employers from who use digital skills for innovation – including the games sector. We were able to showcase how important digital skills are and show that they will be essential for our young peoples careers in the future.

We know that more opportunities for modern work experience like this will be needed to help achieve the 10 day guarantee and we’re excited to keep working with employers in our region to make them even more meaningful”. Jemma Grindlay, Employer Project Manager, All About Futures

Making a Difference

“The day was absolutely amazing! I enjoyed getting insight into what the play testers at PlayStation look out for when processing a game, experimenting with some hands-on foley and designing a video game character with Lucid Games. Personally, I enjoyed the character design with Lucid and overall, it was my favourite activity.” – Student, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School 

“Our Year 8 students took part in an inspiring Careers in Gaming day. PlayStation led an engaging session on trademarks and the importance of protecting gaming brands. Lucid Games explored how characters are created to drive stories and player connection. CI Games introduced students to the growing role of AI in job applications and the gaming industry. Avalanche Studios gave insight into sound engineering and how audio creates atmosphere and impact. Skyhook Games wrapped up the day with an exciting talk on marketing in gaming, showing how games are promoted to global audiences. A fantastic look into gaming careers!” – Belvedere Academy 

“Myself, my colleague and our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the day and each session was superb. In my Computer Science curriculum, I will be able to talk more about innovation and creativity within industry and the types of careers that I observed on the day.” – Teacher Feedback 

“The creativity shown was inspiring and imaginative. We were blown away!” – Lucid Games

“A fantastic event bringing together local students and video game professionals! The day was incredibly well organised, engaging, and full of energy. It was a fantastic learning experience for the students as they walked away with new skills, fresh ideas, and a real sense of excitement for the industry.” – PlayStation 

“An amazing event on digital and innovation careers! Team Ramboll hosted multiple workshops with secondary school students from across the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, exploring the impacts our every day activities like phone use have on the places we live. We tasked the groups with plotting where they would locate a data centre considering access to energy, water, transport, etc. With ideas from floating data centres, to reusing industrial sites and planting gardens on and around the centres, we were blown away by the innovative ideas of the different groups, and their passion in finding the best solution for the area. The whole day ran seamlessly with the organisation from All About Futures / All About STEM, thank you for your hard work! Thanks also to all of the brilliant Ramboll colleagues who ran the sessions with me. I can’t wait to get involved again in future!” – Ramboll 

“As part of our updated programme of ‘modern work experience’, a selection of Year 8 students were invited by our partners, All About Futures, to attend Hope University for a series of workshops hosted by companies linked to the innovation/digital sector. The employee-led workshops gave a great insight into the creative thinking required to succeed in this sector, and our students excelled, using their problem-solving skills and teamwork to produce some spectacular solutions to the challenges/scenarios they were set. As data and AI usage increases, innovation/digital has become an expanding and varied jobs market, with Liverpool City Region well placed to embrace the opportunities being created.” – Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust 

Illuminating Careers

Following the events:
83.6% of students reported an increase in their knowledge around the games industry
100% of students were able to name 3 jobs in games (vs 59% pre-event)
99% of students were able to name 3 skills involved in games (vs 46% pre-event)
93% of students said the event allowed them to use at least one SkillsBuilder essential skill

The GameChangers programme is delivered by All About Futures on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, a part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Selena Ledgerton
Web, Media and Marketing Manager
All About STEM – All About Futures