Interactive Ontario Work Placement Program for Black Youth & Emerging Professionals

Whether you’re looking for your dream role or your dream employee, we connect top talent with opportunities to diversify the industry.

For Career Seekers

Are you looking to enter the Interactive Digital Media industry?

The video game/immersive interactive digital media sector in Ontario is made up of hundreds of motivated companies, employing thousands of immensely talented individuals, and we want you to be one of them!

Register for Resume Database to provide your information and resume. Your profile will be made available to our registered member studios looking to employ diverse talent this coming year.

To be eligible for registration, you must self-identify as Black, be between the ages of 19 – 35 years old and a resident of Ontario.

Please note that we differentiate Black from Person of Colour and only Black participants are eligible.

All 18 work placement positions that had been made available this year have now been filled. However, all registered employers have access to the database at any time. By registering now you still increase your chances to be selected for their future hiring consideration and needs. The next round of work placement is expected to be renewed in Spring of 2025.

Get Prepared

Bring your best foot forward by taking courses with our industry experts.

Ever wondered how to approach compensation negotiations? Then you’re in the perfect place! From research to strategy, here is everything you need to know about compensation. This module takes 12 minutes to complete. Start Module
Don't know where to start designing a portfolio? You're in luck! Our insider expert, Kurston, will share key elements that employers will look for in your portfolio. This module takes 10 minutes to complete. Start Module
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Career Profiles

Interested in a career in the Interactive Digital Media Industry? Explore the Career Profiles and learn from industry professionals.

Venessa Nyarko Senior Producer – The Coalition at XBOX Venessa Nyarko is a Producer at The Coalition who previously managed the animation, world life, and mission-giver systems at Ubisoft Toronto for Far Cry 6 and cinematics for Far Cry 6 DLC. Venessa began in the industry as a Marketing Manager for Xbox before transitioning into production in early 2018. After spearheading initiatives such as Women in Gaming and...
Shiann Nias Shiann Nias – Freelance Animator Shiann Nias is a surreal animator and artist based in Toronto. She is a holder of a New Media Bachelor of Fine Arts. She specializes in 2D surreal animation, digital illustration, and creative coding. She is the owner and creative director of anarchist galaxy where she does commissioned illustration and animation, as well as designs her own work.
Indigo Doyle Creative Lead – Pushing Vertices Indigo Doyle is a 3D Artist and Game Designer. She founded her game studio, Pushing Vertices, in early 2022 and is working with her team on their Adventure-Narrative game RollerGirl. She also worked with several other Indie Game studios to create great games! In 2018, she created The Indie Mixer, a speed networking event based in Toronto that focuses on helping Indie Game...
Javon Swaby Game Community Manager – Gameloft Javon Swaby is a Game Community Manager at Gameloft Toronto for the well-established hit mobile tycoon game, Disney Magic Kingdoms. Starting off as a Social Media Manager and independent content creator for Todotoronto and his own brand, Javon is now one of the faces of the game and uses his strong passion for content creation and ideation to increase effective communication...
Rob Elsworthy Game Developer/ Director – Resistr Interactive Rob Elsworthy is a highly accomplished professional in the media industry, with an impressive career spanning two decades. With over 15 years of experience in the Games industry, he has worked on a variety of acclaimed projects, including Metal Gear Solid, Max Payne, Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead Redemption, bringing his expertise as an Animator, VFX Artist,...
Roderick Nevers Software Engineer – Snowed In Studios Roderick is from Ottawa, Ontario Canada, where he works as a Software Engineer at SnowedIn Studios. He has 12 years of experience in the games industry. He has had many roles over his career, such as QA Analyst, Content Manager, Game Designer and Software Engineer. In his spare time, he enjoys prototyping game ideas, playing new board games, escape rooms and playing...
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For Employers

Are you looking to increase your talent pool? Register to our Resume Database and receive exclusive access to over 100+ resumes.

All IO members are eligible to register for access to our Resume Database, which is a free searchable web based platform with all of our career seekers resumes for you to see. The registered career seekers learned about this program through IO’s previous virtual Career Fair or through their Ontario universities, colleges and community partners.