NextGen Games, Animation and Visual Effects Employer Skills Academy
The NextGen Games, Animation and Visual Effects Employer Skills Academy provides students with the opportunity to develop specialist technical and creative skills while connecting directly with professionals from the games, animation and visual effects industries. Supporting students studying Level 3, the academy enhances learning through industry engagement, masterclasses and real-world experiences that help prepare students for careers in the creative digital sector. Through this partnership, students gain valuable insight into industry practices, emerging technologies and the skills required to succeed in highly competitive creative industries.
About NextGen Games, Animation and Visual Effects Employer Skills Academy
The NextGen Games, Animation and Visual Effects Employer Skills Academy has been designed to support students who are passionate about pursuing careers in games design, animation, visual effects and wider creative digital industries. Developed in partnership with NextGen Skills Academy, the programme combines academic study with direct access to industry expertise, helping students develop both the technical and professional skills needed to succeed.
Throughout their studies, students have the opportunity to engage with leading industry professionals through specialist workshops, masterclasses and employer-led activities. These experiences provide valuable insight into industry workflows, creative processes and current trends, allowing students to understand how their skills can be applied within professional studios and creative organisations.
The academy also gives students opportunities to showcase their work, receive professional feedback and build connections with employers across the games, animation and VFX sectors. By engaging with industry experts and real-world projects, students develop confidence, creativity and career-focused skills that support progression into employment, apprenticeships, higher education or freelance creative careers.
Students will develop knowledge and skills in areas including:
-
Games design and development
-
Animation techniques and production
-
Visual effects (VFX) for film and games
-
Digital storytelling and creative content creation
-
Industry-standard software and workflows
-
Project planning and collaborative working
-
Portfolio development and professional presentation
-
Employability skills and industry networking
Latest News
NextGen Skills Academy is delighted to be a partner in one of Sheffield College’s new employer skills academies. We look forward to the academy providing even better opportunities for Sheffield students to join the next generation of talent in the games, animation and VFX industries.
Julian Cabrera
About our Employer
NextGen Skills Academy is a nationally recognised programme that brings together education and industry to help develop the next generation of talent within the games, animation and visual effects sectors. Working with selected colleges across England, NextGen provides students with access to industry-informed learning experiences that reflect the needs and expectations of employers within the creative industries.
Developed in collaboration with leading industry organisations, the programme helps ensure students are learning relevant skills that align with current industry practices. Through employer-led masterclasses, industry events, live projects and specialist workshops, students benefit from direct engagement with professionals working at the forefront of creative digital technology and content creation.
NextGen works with a range of well-known industry partners, including organisations from the games, animation and technology sectors. Through initiatives such as the annual NextGen Showcase, students have the opportunity to present their work to employers, gain valuable feedback and build professional connections that support their future careers. By partnering with The Sheffield College, NextGen helps students develop the knowledge, confidence and industry awareness needed to thrive within creative and rapidly evolving digital industries.