The National Gaming Academy (NGA) is a consortium of three UK Further Education colleges which are working together to design and deliver training tailored to the needs of the gaming industry. The Gaming Academy has had a superb year, celebrating both regional and national success in the prestigious National Training Awards scheme.

The Academy at the College has worked in collaboration with Nottingham based Gala Coral Group to train Gala’s staff in Casino Operations. The collaboration won the East Midlands category as well as the UK National Training Award for Partnership and Collaboration.

The Academy is currently working with Crown Leisure on the roll-out of the Level 2 Gambling Operations NVQ (Gaming Machine) for over 40 of their machine technicians. Crown Leisure is the first company in the gaming sector to take advantage of the Government’s Train to Gain initiative for the roll-out of the new NVQ.

NGA is also running NVQ programmes in College for new entrants into the casino and gaming machine sector. On completion of the NVQ, students are equipped with the necessary skills to secure employment in the sector and are helped to secure job interviews. Those over 21 are given the opportunity to apply for a job onboard one of the Carnival Corporation’s ship-based casinos.

Where to Study

Blackpool and The Fylde College

• Blackpool and The Fylde College, Ashfield Road, Bispham, Nr Blackpool, Lancashire, FY5 5HZ

London Gaming College

• London Gaming College, The West Stand, Charlton Athletic Football Club, SE7 8BL

North Warwickshire and Hinckley College

• North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, Hinckley Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6BH

The geographical locations of the partners was imperative in the NGA being able to deliver a curriculum to the majority of the UK and bosses are confident that the three locations are perfectly positioned to do this