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‘Making a positive difference’: YGAM undergraduate apprentice, Nadia Tarik, reflects on a year studying and working for social change
In 2019 23-year old Nadia Tarik made history when she was among the first students to participate in the ground-breaking apprenticeship degree course in Social Change at Queen Mary University of London. Thanks to pioneering sponsorship from Caesars Entertainment EMEA, Nadia has been able to combine a four year degree course with her work as a Development Officer at YGAM, the UK charity that works to inform, educate and safeguard young people against gambling and gaming related harms. Nadia reflects on her first year of studying and working.
The Social Change degree course attracted six times more applicants per place than Oxford University – can you explain the challenges of being accepted onto the course and what was the interview process like?
Being the first degree of its kind meant that there was very high demand for places. The recruitment process was extremely challenging and detailed to ensure that recruiters were selecting candidates that would make the most of the opportunity as well as identify those with the capabilities to impact social change. The academic requirements were very high with three As at A level in order to ensure that applicants would be academically capable of completing the course and understanding the set modules. I had to present a detailed explanation as to why I should be accepted, what I would bring to the programme and my future goals. We then had a group based interview, followed by a 2:1 interview in which I was asked multiple questions regarding my application and a full explanation of my career and work history. After several phone interviews with recruiters, I met YGAM CEO Lee Willows and Mike Wojcik the Chair of Trustees and then completed a final round interview with the CEO after which I was offered the position.
Can you describe what your post at YGAM entails and what the challenges are?
The Development Officer Apprentice role involves frequent rotations across disciplines including marketing, education and fundraising. The diversity of the apprenticeship programme has, I think, put me in an extremely favourable position with regards to the development of my career that I would not have been exposed to if I had chosen a more traditional route. The accessibility of technology resources has enabled organisations of all sizes to become digitally focused. Regarding the current pandemic crisis, many firms have had to redesign their business plan and create a virtual presence. The introduction of YGAM’s Webinars has allowed me to develop an understanding of numerous programmes such as Salesforce and WordPress. I am now able to utilise my knowledge and incorporate the software on a day to day basis, building my IT literacy and enabling me to contribute to projects such as the design of YGAM’s virtual resources and registrations. This year we’ve introduced Parental Engagement educational resources, allowing me to be part of the development of a new service right from the very start. I have particularly enjoyed working with the team to design surveys for our focus groups and I have now been given the task to create interactive animations for our new educational materials.
In many ways YGAM has been ahead of the curve, as even prior to the pandemic it has operated a remote working environment with employees spread all across the UK. Working remotely at such an early stage in my career has been a definite plus enabling me to experience the challenges of goal-setting, motivation and discipline that are so important whilst working independently.
A lot of people are put off further education due to the fear of accumulating student debt – does the apprenticeship help in that respect?
Yes, student debt is a big deterrent for many individuals especially those from challenging backgrounds. An apprenticeship programme is highly beneficial for those struggling with the decision to undertake a degree or to earn a full salary as it provides the benefits of both options. I am of course extremely grateful for the support provided by Caesars in this respect. The apprenticeship programme eliminates financial constraints by providing free intuition, the standard living wage salary or above as well as any resources required for the course. There is a big misperception that those operating in the third sector/not-for-profit do not become financially successful. The Social Change degree apprenticeship programme provides the training, resources, networks and knowledge to ensure you are on the right path to achieve personal and career goals.
Can you explain how the course operates and the split between working at YGAM and studying at Queen Mary University?
The Chartered Degree Apprenticeship in Business Management (Social Change) is a four-year programme. After completion, apprentices gain a Business Management (Social change) BSc Degree as well as a Chartered Management qualification. During university term time we operate with two full days of education and three full days of working with our employer. Outside university term time I work full time, five days a week at YGAM. Throughout the four-year programme the apprentices are required to create a portfolio which examines how we have met the KPIs for our Chartered Management qualification. Thus, challenging us to translate the skills and experiences from our workplace with the theory taught in our modules. In our final year we will undergo a six-month work project where we take on the role as project manager to showcase our skill sets and finally present it to a panel for grading.
What modules do you study at Queen Mary?
It is a really comprehensive course covering marketing, the law, accounting, leadership, ethics, governance, social responsibility, fundraising management, mentoring and coaching. The course is varied and provides opportunities to deep dive into specialist interests.
Is it difficult combining work and education?
It can be demanding, especially during exam periods. Communication is very important, I have found that being able to liaise with fellow apprentices on my course extremely beneficial. Moreover, having open communication with my line manager relieved any stress I may have had. Management is very understanding and flexible with our work demands during assessment periods.
Can you provide some background – did you go to school in London and do you live in London?
I was born and raised in the London Borough of Bromley whilst living in a traditional Moroccan household. Growing up I spent a lot of time abroad in Holland and Morocco visiting family for extended periods of time. In terms of education I always studied in my local area so I was excited to attend Queen Mary’s University which is situated in the heart of East London. I love the fact that I can now explore a new area of London and experience a whole fresh wave of cultures.
Reflecting on your first academic year as an undergraduate apprentice – what have been the high points?
There have been a lot of high points, not least featuring in an article which was published in The Guardian newspaper which I think demonstrates how ground-breaking and different this course is. The ability to get hands-on experience in a real and relevant work environment, being able to participate in important initiatives and to contribute to the objectives and goals of YGAM are all really significant take outs from my first year. Currently I am part of a team developing interactive animations for our Parental Engagement resources – this is a new and exciting opportunity that allows me to hone into my creativity. It’s been a hugely exciting year of growth and impact at YGAM and I’m proud to be part of it.
If you hadn’t succeeded in being accepted on the apprenticeship degree course what do you think you would be doing?
My lifelong ambition has been to dedicate my career to the third sector. Equally, I am fascinated by the world of business so I think I would have followed a traditional business-related degree, whilst continuing to volunteer until I was able to merge both passions. I feel fully motivated and grateful to YGAM, Queen Mary and Caesars knowing that I am working for an organisation that is making a positive difference and impacting social change – which is exactly what I want to achieve in my career.
Saroca Reimagines Leadership Development for the Gaming Industry
Saroca, a leader in professional development for the gaming industry, is proud to announce its Transformational Leadership Program, launching February 2025. Building on the success of the 2024 LeadHERship Program—a pioneering initiative for women in gaming—the new program expands its reach with two distinct cohorts: one exclusively for women and another open to all genders.
The Legacy of LeadHERship
The 2024 LeadHERship Program achieved an exceptional Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 90, with participants citing transformative growth. With participants like Clemence Dujardin citing it as a “game-changer”. Confidence in leadership abilities rose by 46%, resilience increased by 27%, and imposter syndrome diminished by 39%.
Participants praised the program’s focus on emotional resilience, feedback mastery, executive presence and communication all in a supportive community.
Leadership Development: A Game-Changer for Gaming
In a rapidly evolving and diversifying industry, strong leadership is essential. Saroca’s programs go beyond skill-building to foster resilience, trust, and inclusivity—key traits for thriving in the global gaming market.
“We believe leadership is not about hierarchy—it’s about transformation,” said Emily Leeb, CEO of Saroca. “The Transformational Leadership Program reflects our commitment to cultivating leaders who will shape the future of gaming.”
Transformational Leadership Program Highlights
The program builds on the proven curriculum of its predecessor, featuring:
- Two Cohorts: A women-only cohort and a new all-gender cohort to enrich perspectives.
- Eight Modules: Covering topics such as emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, and radical candor.
- Community and Growth Tracking: Strengthening connections and measuring individual progress.
Registration Now Open
The Transformational Leadership Program begins in February 2025, with limited spots available. Scholarships are also offered to ensure accessibility. For more information, visit Saroca’s website or contact [email protected].
About Saroca
Saroca is a leader in leadership development for the gaming industry, committed to empowering professionals through inclusive, high-impact programs that drive personal and professional growth.
The post Saroca Unveils the Transformational Leadership Program for 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Introducing Magawa vs Mines, the debut game from Slammer Studios – a fresh new player in the industry. With the launch of this vibrant 7×7 slot, the studio is kicking things off in style. Inspired by the legendary Magawa, a rat whose life-saving landmine detection skills have earned worldwide acclaim, this game pays tribute to this incredible hero. With Magawa vs Mines, players get to honour the courage of an extraordinary rat, reliving his daring missions through high-energy gameplay.
Spinomenal has added Zeus Unchained Hold & Hit to its marvellous Mythology series. Zeus Unchained Hold & Hit presents a grid framework of 5×3 and is set at 25 fixed lines. Once the action is underway, players join Zeus, the ancient Greek god of sky and thunder for a battle on the reels. A powerful soundtrack heightens the anticipation as players look for Wild symbols on screen.
Betsoft Gaming brings players to the heights of Mount Olympus with Coins of Zeus – Hold & WinTM, an engaging video slot with a 3×3 grid and 5 paylines set in a stunning Ancient Greek theme. From immersive visuals to thrilling gameplay features, Coins of Zeus – Hold & WinTM brings mythology to life, delivering divine entertainment and win potential.
BGaming is helping players hunt for ancient treasures in its latest release Catdiana. Boasting two purr-fect bonus games, the gameplay is further enhanced through cat-themed scatters, coveted coins and high-value gem symbols. The 5×3 reel action unfolds deep within a mystical cat temple where Catdiana goes on the prowl, performing as a wild to guide players to hidden treasures and big wins.
Tom Horn Gaming, a leading igaming software supplier, has unveiled its latest game, Wild Snowfakes, just in time for the winter season. A winter-themed slot transports players to a serene snowy wonderland filled with excitement and rewards. This medium-to-high variance game is played across a 5×3 gaming grid, populated with frosty fruit symbols and snowflakes, which act as wilds.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has revealed its latest immersive slot, Dolce Dreams, offering a sweet twist on the classic Italian café culture, with the experience designed for high engagement and substantial win potential. Set against the backdrop of a charming streetside cafe, Dolce Dreams features stacked Wilds in the form of waffle ice creams, which substitute for other symbols to maximise winning combinations.
Relax Gaming is taking players on an exhilarating snowy adventure with the launch of Winter Champions, a sports-themed slot that propels players through the mountain tops in pursuit of golden victories. At the heart of Winter Champions is the innovative Sliding Respins mechanic, ensuring the reels remain active as long as winning combinations continue to land, adding a layer of non-stop excitement to the gameplay.
Nolimit City is serving up a twisted carnival treat in Munchies. Step into the fair grounds as Nolimit’s latest Labs game released following the release of Outsourced: Slash Game. As a Labs title, expect a fresh and experimental spin on the classic Nolimit style. In the heart of the carnival tents lies a curious attraction: Fluffers—a cute, cuddly, but oh-so-smelly creature that’s causing quite the commotion among visitors. Some may say it’s the attraction of the year!
Thunderkick has unveiled Split Happens, the latest addition to its product portfolio that combines a quirky bowling theme with Walking Wilds and respins to provide a unique and compelling gaming experience. The action takes place across a classic 5×3 grid, where winning combinations can be formed both ways to help unlock 3,000x maximum wins.
Amusnet has released its latest video slot, 10 Bulky Fruits. It is not an ordinary fruit slot but a dazzling, energetic and exciting game. This is a 5-reel, 10-fixed paylines video slot that offers vivid gameplay, epic sound effects and a variety of features. Keep an eye out for the Clover Wild Symbol and its great rewards – it appears on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th reel. The Star and the Dollar are the shiny Scatter symbols boosting the winnings.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Booming Games are getting in the spirit early with the November arrival of their fresh, festive game, Holly Jolly Bonanza 2. ‘Tis the season for snowy slots, and just like Santa Claus himself, Holly Jolly Bonanza 2 delivers in style. This sparkling sequel is a sure-fire Christmas classic, a 5×6 game with cascading reels, introducing new features to the festive game.
How deep do you dare to descend in Yellow Slotmarine by Twin Win Games – the exciting new slot where cash prizes can be accumulated and collected on any base game spin, but three bomb symbols are always lurking to potentially blow players out of the water. Utilising just three reels and one row of symbols, Yellow Slotmarine introduces a completely new mechanic where every character that lands contributes towards a specific cash pot.
Gaming Corps is proud to announce the release of Wet and Wild Beavers. This charming new slot game also marks the debut of the exciting new A-MAZE-CADES™ mechanic. This playful adventure takes players down to the river, where a team of ingenious beavers plot their daring escape by the riverbank. Follow Red Rocket, Old Blue and Yella Fella as they utilise a series of creative bonus features to escape the dam and get their hands on wins of up to 10,000x the player’s stake.
Explore a prosperous underwater world and harness the power of the formidable Greek God of the Sea Poseidon in Stakelogic’s latest release, Trident of Legends. This enchanting aquatic adventure invites players to tap into the awe-inspiring power of the mythical Poseidon as they embark on a quest for fortune. With Poseidon’s legendary Trident in hand, players can trigger enticing bonuses while playing for wins of up to 10,000x their stake.
Play’n GO invites players to join the Wilde family in Wildest Gambit, a globe-trotting 5×3 slot that combines adventure, mystery, and massive win potential with an x20,000 Multiplier. Wildest Gambit unites the legendary Wilde family – Rich, Cat, and Uncle Gerard – in an epic journey across four unique destinations. From the golden sands of Egypt to the dense jungles of South America, players will experience a dynamic blend of Expanding, Sticky, and Multiplier Wilds.
The post Week 47/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
EGT Digital is proud to be among the finalists in the impressive 5 categories of BEGE Awards 2024. This year’s edition of the prestigious annual competition will be held on November 27 at Black & White Club, Palms Royale Sofia Complex. For the 15th consecutive year, the event will recognize individuals and companies for their outstanding contribution to the gaming and entertainment industry.
Burning Hot Instant, one of the newest offerings in EGT Digital’s ever-growing portfolio of games, is among the shortlisted titles in the Online Game of the Year category. It is also one of the latest additions to the top performer Clover Chance. Although it debuted only 2 months ago, Burning Hot Instant immediately became players’ favorite with its mystery jackpot and numerous rewards.
X-Nave, EGT Digital’s in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform, is a contender in the Online Platform of the Year category. The product earned the nomination thanks to the fact that it provides operators with the technology and tools they need to build and maintain a successful online business. The X-Nave platform includes 4 main modules: Sport Product, Gaming Aggregator, CRM Engine, and Payment Gateway. Each module can be part of the complete solution or function independently, allowing seamless integration with developments of third-party providers.
Another prestigious nomination for EGT Digital is in the Online Provider of the Year category, recognizing its wide range of iGaming products and services. The company’s games are extremely popular in a number of markets around the world, where players appreciate their fascinating design, high winning chances, and many attractive bonus features. The X-Nave platform is becoming the preferred choice for an increasing number of operators who want to guarantee their business’ long-term success and sustainable development.
The company is a finalist in the Sports Betting Platform of the Year category as well. EGT Digital’s Sportsbook solution, part of X-Nave’s Sport Product, offers everything operators need to secure a competitive bookmaker position. It includes advanced betting, in-depth statistics, different bet types, back-office tools, a variety of jackpots, and 24/7 technical and trading support. It is provided with powerful management tools that allow betting sites to create personalized content and increase player engagement.
The last category for which EGT Digital has been nominated is Innovative Product of the Year, with its 360-degree retail betting solution. This product covers both software and hardware aspects of the business, including the design and management of devices, the company’s omnichannel solution, sports betting, lottery games, vouchers, online deposits, and commissions. Constantly evolving, EGT Digital’s 360-degree retail betting solution continues to add new tools and options for improving user experience.
The post EGT Digital is shortlisted in 5 categories of BEGE Awards 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Saroca Unveils the Transformational Leadership Program for 2025
Week 47/2024 slot games releases
EGT Digital is shortlisted in 5 categories of BEGE Awards 2024
EGT is a finalist in several categories of BEGE Awards 2024
EGT’s latest innovations to shine at the 15th edition of BEGE Expo
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