---
title: Kickstart your Career – Apply for free Skills Bootcamps in Animation, Games & Unreal
description: Launch your career in animation, games, or virtual production with free 16-week Skills Bootcamps. Funded by the West of England Combined Authority.
image: https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hubfs/WECA%20Blog%20Post%20Header.png
---

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 2 min read

# Kickstart your Career – Apply for free Skills Bootcamps in Animation, Games & Unreal

[![Picture of Ben Rust](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) Ben Rust](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/author/ben-rust) :  29/07/2025, 12:46

[Bootcamps](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/tag/bootcamps)

![Kickstart your Career – Apply for free Skills Bootcamps in Animation, Games & Unreal](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hubfs/WECA%20Blog%20Post%20Header.png)

Looking to launch your career in animation, games, or virtual production? Our free, 10 to 16-week Skills Bootcamps are now open for applications! They’re designed for those with existing technical skills to get you job-ready with expert guidance, career coaching, and industry feedback.

Delivered by NextGen RISE, in partnership with [TechSPARK](https://techspark.co/) and [A Productions](https://aproductions.co.uk/), these intensive part-time programmes are ideal for recent graduates, career changers, or self-taught creatives who want to sharpen their skills and step into industry.

 

### **What are Skills Bootcamps?**

 

Skills Bootcamps are flexible, government-funded courses that help adults build sector-specific skills employers are looking for. They’re part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and are designed to fast-track people into employment or new roles. These Skills Bootcamps are funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Our Skills Bootcamps offer:

✅ Specialist, tutor-led training  
✅ Remote and in-person sessions  
✅ Portfolio-building briefs and feedback  
✅ 1-to-1 career coaching and job search support

All at no cost to the learner.

 

---

### **Choose Your Path: The Skills Bootcamps**

#### **Skills Bootcamp in 3D Animation ![(12) Unity Bootcamp Video - YouTube - Google Chrome 2025-03-31 13-22-05.00\_00\_07\_14.Still001](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hs-fs/hubfs/(12)%20Unity%20Bootcamp%20Video%20-%20YouTube%20-%20Google%20Chrome%202025-03-31%2013-22-05.00_00_07_14.Still001.png?width=325&height=183&name=(12)%20Unity%20Bootcamp%20Video%20-%20YouTube%20-%20Google%20Chrome%202025-03-31%2013-22-05.00_00_07_14.Still001.png)**

Perfect for aspiring animators looking to build a portfolio and work in a studio-style environment. This course focuses on animation techniques, storytelling, and industry workflows.

✅ Supported by leading animation studio A Productions  
✅ Includes a four-week shadowing opportunity on a new series that A Productions are developing for *Terrific Television*  
✅ Learn from expert tutors and receive feedback from working animators

This bootcamp starts in late September 2025.

##### [🔗 Apply for the Skills Bootcamp in 3D Animation](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/skills-bootcamps)

 

---

 

#### **Skills Bootcamp in Game Development ![Flux\_D8\_1700-2220.00\_02\_09\_08.Still002](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flux_D8_1700-2220.00_02_09_08.Still002.png?width=325&height=183&name=Flux_D8_1700-2220.00_02_09_08.Still002.png)**

A practical course designed for those with some coding experience who want to break into the games industry.

✅ Build and refine prototypes using Unity and C#  
✅ Learn from experienced developers and complete real briefs  
✅ Gain career coaching and portfolio support

This bootcamp starts in early October 2025.

##### [🔗 Apply for the Skills Bootcamp in Game Development](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/skills-bootcamp-in-game-development)

 

---

 

#### **Skills Bootcamp in Unreal Engine ![Flux\_D8\_1700-2220.00\_00\_49\_09.Still001](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flux_D8_1700-2220.00_00_49_09.Still001.png?width=325&height=183&name=Flux_D8_1700-2220.00_00_49_09.Still001.png)**

Aimed at those with a technical or creative background looking to specialise in virtual production, VFX, or immersive media.

✅ Focus on lighting, rendering, and VFX in Unreal  
✅ Build cinematic portfolio-ready projects   
✅ Work with industry mentors in a simulated studio environment

This bootcamp starts in early October 2025.

##### [🔗 Apply for the Skills Bootcamp in Unreal Bootcamp](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/skills-bootcamp-in-unreal-engine)

 

---

### **Alumni Spotlight**

Graduates of our Skills Bootcamps have gone on to work at leading studios including **Auroch Digital** and **Lively Studios**.

> *“The Skills Bootcamp in Game Development was life changing! I’m grateful for such an organised, informative and fun learning experience.”*
> 
> **Sonya Bleiph**, Junior 3D Artist, Skills Bootcamp graduate

 

---

### **Are you eligible?**

 

To apply, you must:

- Be aged 19+
- Live in (or have serious intent to move to) the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Region (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset)
- Have some prior experience in your chosen field

**Don’t miss out – applications close Sunday 17 August**

[![Check out the work from our last Skills Bootcamp in Unreal Engine!](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hubfs/Flux_D8_1700-2220.00_00_49_09.Still001-1.png)](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/check-out-the-work-from-our-last-skills-bootcamp-in-unreal-engine)

#### [Check out the work from our last Skills Bootcamp in Unreal Engine!](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/check-out-the-work-from-our-last-skills-bootcamp-in-unreal-engine)

![Picture of Ben Rust](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) [Ben Rust](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/author/ben-rust) : 30/07/2025, 15:16

📷 Header image by Tanja Langgner

[Bootcamps](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/tag/bootcamps)

[Read More](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/check-out-the-work-from-our-last-skills-bootcamp-in-unreal-engine)

[![Check out the work from our last Skills Bootcamp in Unity Programming](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hubfs/2025%20Cohort%20Image.png)](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/check-out-the-work-from-our-last-skills-bootcamp-in-unity-programming)

#### [Check out the work from our last Skills Bootcamp in Unity Programming](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/check-out-the-work-from-our-last-skills-bootcamp-in-unity-programming)

![Picture of Ben Rust](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) [Ben Rust](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/author/ben-rust) : 07/08/2025, 13:56

📷 Header image by Jodie Swepson

[Bootcamps](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/tag/bootcamps)

[Read More](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/check-out-the-work-from-our-last-skills-bootcamp-in-unity-programming)

[![How RISE Bootcamps can help Further Education meet Ofsted’s proposed 2025 updates](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_234477017.jpeg)](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/how-rise-bootcamps-can-help-further-education-meet-ofsteds-proposed-2025-updates)

#### [How RISE Bootcamps can help Further Education meet Ofsted’s proposed 2025 updates](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/how-rise-bootcamps-can-help-further-education-meet-ofsteds-proposed-2025-updates)

![Picture of Ben Rust](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) [Ben Rust](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/author/ben-rust) : 07/04/2025, 14:07

How RISE Bootcamps can help Further Education meet Ofsted’s proposed 2025 updates

[Education](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/tag/education) [Bootcamps](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/tag/bootcamps) [Ofsted](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/tag/ofsted)

[Read More](https://nextgenriseplatform.com/blog/how-rise-bootcamps-can-help-further-education-meet-ofsteds-proposed-2025-updates)

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