Sparks: Game Changers Now Open for Applications
Posted: 22nd January 2026
Ardán and Code Coven, with the support of Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland through the Digital Games Portfolio, are delighted to announce Sparks: Game Changers, a pilot introductory career development course for people of underrepresented genders in the Irish games industry.
Sparks: Game Changers is an online practice-led professional development programme designed to strengthen the soft skills that most directly affect career progression in the games industry.
This course will be hosted online, and focuses on confident communication, self-advocacy, and job-hunting readiness, particularly for people navigating early or transitional career stages in an industry shaped by bias, power imbalances, and high-pressure decision-making.
What programme participants will learn:
Rather than technical or production-based learning, Sparks: Game Changers centres on the human skills required to:
- Speak with clarity and confidence
- Advocate for needs, boundaries, and value
- Navigate interviews, negotiations, and career transitions with preparedness
The goals of this pilot initiative are to:
- Increase participants’ confidence and clarity in professional communication
- Equip participants with practical tools for self-advocacy and negotiation
- Improve interview readiness and job-hunting strategy
- Support participants in navigating biased or high-pressure environments
- Test a scalable, cost-effective delivery model for future iterations
Who we want to hear from for this course:
This programme is designed for people working toward, or navigating within, the games industry, including:
- Early-career professionals and recent graduates
- Career switchers entering games from adjacent fields
- Developers preparing for pitching, networking, job searches, interviews, or role transitions
- Individuals seeking greater confidence in advocating for themselves at work
Sparks: Game Changers participants will be expected to:
- Commit approximately 3 hours per week to the programme, including live sessions, preparation, and reflection or practice tasks between sessions.
- Attend all scheduled live sessions, including both concept-led workshops and implementation/practice sessions.
- Actively participate in discussions, peer feedback, and practice exercises, recognising that the programme is highly interactive.
- Come prepared to engage in reflective and professional development work related to communication, self-advocacy, and career readiness.
- Maintain a respectful, supportive environment in line with the programme’s code of conduct.
What participants will need to take part:
- Participants must have reliable internet access. The programme is delivered over video conferencing, and participants may occasionally need to share their screens to demonstrate their work.
- Our courses require real-time communication through audio and text. Therefore, participants must have a working microphone on their computer or phone used during Program sessions.
- Primary communication will occur over email and Circle.so. Students must regularly check these platforms throughout the course to receive critical announcements and updates and communicate with their instructors. Invitations to the relevant platforms will be sent to all students upon acceptance into the course.
How to apply for this programme:
To apply to take part in this programme, please complete this application form by Sunday, February 8th, 2026, at 11:59pm (GMT). Shortlisted applicants will be notified by February 23rd, 2026. All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview before being offered a place on the programme. Sparks: Game Changers – Application Form
Sparks: Game Changers is a pilot programme facilitated by Ardán and Code Coven with the support of Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland through the Digital Games Portfolio.
If you have any questions about this programme, you can contact sparks@codecoven.co
Find out more about Ardán here www.ardan.ie
Find out more about Code Coven here www.codecoven.co