Work experience is difficult to come by whether you are at degree level or not. Game studios often do not offer work experience placements due to the development cycles and confidentiality of thier games.
Of the few training programmes that exist, many are tied directly to individual universities. Some of the most prominent include;
- Ndreams Academy: https://ndreams.com/academy
- Ubisoft Internship programme - https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/careers/interns-graduates
- Ustwo Internships - https://ustwogames.co.uk/internships/
- Double 11 - https://double11.com/join-us/early-careers/
If you are under 18, or at an early stage a great option is the nDreams Virtual Work Experience (VWEX), available through U-Explore: https://www.u-explore.com/page/ndreams-vwex. It’s a studio-backed, online programme designed to give students a real look into how game development works — from design and prototyping to teamwork and production. Because it’s virtual, he can take part from home, making it an ideal fit for his age group.
Alongside that, it can be really valuable to gain experience in adjacent sectors that use similar skills and ways of thinking. These could include:
- Digital or creative agencies often involve design and project work.
- Software or tech companies, where coding, testing, or QA skills are relevant.
- Film, animation, or media studios, which provide insight into production processes.
- Even retail or customer-facing roles, which can help him build communication and teamwork skills that are highly valued in the games industry.
Combining something structured like the nDreams VWEX with experience in these kinds of environments will help him develop a strong foundation, both technically and personally, for a future in games.