As Australians continue to spend billions of dollars annually on the gaming industry, one TAFE NSW St Leonards student is working to develop online workshops that aim to educate and promote a healthy gaming lifestyle.

Martin Nguyen worked in hospitality for three years before realising his heart wasn’t in the job.

He had always had a passion for gaming and decided to enrol in a Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games at TAFE NSW St Leonards, where he could explore the different career paths in the gaming industry.

Mr Nguyen said, “Gaming had always been a part of my life and with so many different uses for it I decided I wanted to learn more about it and explore the different career paths within the gaming industry.”

Securing a job at a startup gaming company, The Viva Organisation, Mr Nguyen now works to provide people who are unsure about technology with a better understanding of the how the gaming industry, which Australians spent $3.23 billion on in 2017[1], works.

“The creative industry for planning games is very competitive, which is why I decided to move into a different area in the gaming industry. I joined a startup that works to develop short online workshops, giving insights into how healthy gaming should look. Our aim is to promote a healthy gaming lifestyle.”

Heading back to TAFE NSW St Leonards to study a Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games on 22 July, Mr Nguyen is excited to expand on the skills he has already harnessed.

“The things I learnt during my time at TAFE NSW really helped me develop the knowledge and understanding I needed to successfully work in the gaming industry as part of a development team.

“My TAFE NSW teachers were fantastic and really had a thorough understanding of the industry. It also helped that the equipment and facilities we used were exactly what you use in the industry, making my transition from a classroom to the workforce seamless.”

With a dream to expand The Viva Organisation and eventually move into creating gaming tournaments that promote the responsible use of gaming, Mr Nguyen is well on his way to making his mark in the gaming industry.

To find out more about Interactive Media, 3D Animation and Games at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601

Media contact: Emma Cawley, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, emma.cawley1@tafensw.edu.au, mobile 0412 478 415.