Innovative Solutions to Qualify Gamers for Tech Jobs
The thousands of hours in college, or high school, spent playing Halo or league of Legends will soon be paying higher returns to gamers than anyone could have anticipated. Gamers who demonstrate high competence in these types of games are to be recruited for high paying jobs, when newly developed apps are imbedded into future versions, according to a New Scientist online magazine post on March 19, 2015.
An announcement from the Briefing Room of The White House, on March 19, 2015, outlined official recognition highlighting a pro-active plan for a program called TechHire, which took effect immediately. “President Obama Announced a Multi-Sector Effort and Call-to-Action giving Americans Pathways to Well-Paying Technology Jobs; making $100 Million in Grants for all income level Americans, including inner city underserved groups.” There will be training for interested individuals from online schooling in Writing-Code Boot Camp, to Jr. College and Technology school funding. Some of the courses will require only a few months of training to help people become eligible for hire in these new higher paying jobs.
According to New Scientist, this new Hot Topic of screening for new employees using game theory will replace the traditional interview, cover letter, and resume type-screening processes for high tech jobs. The Starfighter Company was launched mid-March by founder and CEO Patrick McKenzie. His firm provides special video games designed to replace traditional interviews as well as non-conventional testing requirements with complex scenarios that do not consistently test for the skills companies are looking for. In the very near future, people who have the abilities to master certain Starfighter games using their exceptional programming talents will tell employers everything they need to know about what players have the specific talents that they need.
New Start Up Company Designs Games to Test Marketable Skills
According to McKenzie, the games storylines provide players with problems they need to solve through breaking into a game software. Top players that learn the techniques they need during play can continue playing through to the game end. These learn by doing solutions are the same techniques that employees would use to protect and secure banking files and systems in the real world. New Scientist posted this quote, “Becoming a Top Starfighter is a direct path to receiving lucrative job offers from the best tech companies in the world, because you’ll have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can do the work these companies need done.”
Starfighter games are totally free for play, with no fancy graphics—only engaging, and enjoyable gaming. One of the first games available is called “Microcorruption,” by the founding group. Play involves a scenario where gamers must break into locked warehouses around the globe to collect cash. The goal is for players to use smartphone apps to break into each warehouse without knowing the codes. The firm will contact elite gamers who finish the games with information inviting the player to contact a Starfighter client who needs their particular skills.
Knack, a Palo Alto based tech company in California develops smartphone games that track gamers as they play. The app records the gamers’ abilities such as leadership skills, planning, and problem solving. These game profiles are a match-up service for employers seeking these traits in their new hires. The White House is working with Knack’s system because there is an additional advantage to using this innovative testing game system. There is no discrimination within the gaming structure leaving opportunities wide open for minorities like women and military veterans seeking tech jobs. Their high scores put all gamers on a level playing field with every other gamer playing the games. Qualifiers who finish the games are steps ahead of other candidates who have not been pre-qualified through game play. Halfteck says, “Knack has patents that cover inserting its technology into other games, too. This opens up the possibility that gamers who demonstrate high competence in Halo or League of Legends could be recruited right out of their favorite games.” This is yet another innovative solution for employers seeking better ways to build their staff.