Work Placement Program for Black Youth & Emerging Professionals
Interactive Ontario is excited to announce the renewal of the paid Work Placement Program for Black Youth & Emerging Professionals ages 19 – 35. With the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism’s continued support, this initiative provides a pipeline of Black talent to Ontario IDM studios that can offer meaningful short-term employment and training opportunities in the IDM sector. We currently have over 100 resumes collected and we expect more to be added soon. Please email victoria@interactiveontario.com for details on how to register your studio for consideration of this opportunity. There are a limited number of work placement positions available.
And Many more!
For Employers
Are you looking to increase your talent pool? Register to our Resume Database and receive exclusive assess to over 100+ resumes.
All IO members are eligible to register for access to our Resume Database, which is a free searchable web based platform with all of our career seekers resumes for you to see. The registered career seekers learned about this program through IO’s previous virtual Career Fair or through their Ontario universities, colleges and community partners.
Employers currently registered to review the resume database include:
For Career Seekers
Are you looking to enter the Interactive Digital Media industry?
The video game/immersive interactive digital media sector in Ontario is made up of hundreds of motivated companies, employing thousands of immensely talented individuals, and we want you to be one of them!
Consider registering to our Resume Database to provide your information and resume. Your profile will be made available to our registered member studios looking to employ diverse talent this coming year.
To be eligible for registration, you must self-identify as Black, be between the ages of 19 – 35 years old and a resident of Ontario.
Get Prepared
Prepare yourself for the a work placement by completing the training modules to refresh your skill set.
Training Modules
Bring your best foot forward by taking courses with our industry experts.
Watch and learn from the online career readiness training modules available to help you in your job search.
Learn from industry experts
Career Profiles
Learn about the career paths of experienced industry professionals and how they found their way to success in the interactive digital media industry.
Click a career profile to learn more!
Venessa Nyarko
Senior Producer, The Coalition at XBOX
Shiann Nias
Freelance Animator
Indigo Doyle
Creative Lead, Pushing Vertices
Javon Swaby
Game Community Manager, Gameloft Toronto
Rob Elsworthy
Game Developer/Director –
Roderick Nevers
Software Engineer, Snowed In Studios
Joann Pollard
Global Brand Manager, Electronic Arts
Shaun Jennings
Technical Art Director, Ubisoft
Career Coach
Ibiyemi Balogun
Recognized as Talent Egg’s 2020 Career Coach of the Year, Ibiyemi Balogun is a Career Consultant who passionately provides career development services with clientele from an extensive background. She has worked with clients in Technology, Financial Services, Digital Media, Retail, Post-secondary, Nonprofit, Government, Telecommunications, Entrepreneurship, and everything in between.
With an extensive background in HR, Career Services, and Business Development, Ibiyemi has over 9 years of experience in Recruitment and 10+ years in coaching.
Program Information
This is a paid internship placement program for Black Youth and Emerging Professionals between the ages of 19 – 35 who is an Ontario resident looking to enter the interactive digital media industry.
Work placements are based on a minimum of 20 hours per week for up to 14 weeks. The details of the scheduling depend on the employer and intern’s arrangements.
In addition to a placement at an Ontario IDM studio, the participants will be provided professional development resources including access to free online career readiness training modules and tailored one-on-one coaching (3 sessions over the course of the period of the program).
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