A LACK of qualified applicants for jobs in the games industry remains a challenge for developers, according to a new report.

Trade association TIGA has just published a study, Games Businesses, Education and Skills, which found that 43% of developers found it difficult to fill vacancies.

Although this figure has eased from 65%in 2008, TIGA said this was because job losses in the games industry over the last two years have temporarily suppressed, but not eliminated, skill shortages.

Almost all of the developers suffering from skill shortages believe that the main reason is a shortage of applicants with the required skills, experience or qualifications.

Richard Wilson, chief executive of TIGA, said: “Skill shortages remain a problem for UK games developers, although the problem is less acute than in 2008.

“Vacancies for programmers, designers, managers and project managers are particularly hard to fill.

“However, games businesses are ameliorating the problem by adopting new recruitment methods, outsourcing work, making internal promotions and redefining job roles.”