Ubisoft 2014 Annual Report Download - page 25

Management Report
2014
20
1.4.2.3 SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Ubisoft recruits talented people who are passionate and proud of their brands and have the technical
skills and expertise required for the specific characteristics of the video game industry. Responsibility,
initiative, innovation and creativity are the skills sought.
Training
03/31/2014
03/31/2013
% of payroll spent on training (1) (2)
0.98%
0.96%
Training expenditure
€3,660,357
€3,242,176
Total number of employees trained
4,405
4,322
of which employees trained in health and safety
126
126
% of average headcount trained
48.82%
54.78%
Total number of training hours
96,283
103,186
Average duration of training (in hours) per employee trained
21.86
23.87
E-learning
03/31/2014
03/31/2013
Number of internal e-learning modules accessible to all employees
98
86
Skill-sharing between sites through personal visits
03/31/2014
03/31/2013
Number of international visits (short- or long-term assignments)
201
204
Monitoring of skills development
03/31/2014
03/31/2013
% of total headcount given an annual appraisal
79.5%
71.7%
(1) Total expenditure on training as a percentage of payroll
(2) Does not include virtual training, which forms an integral part of the Group’s training opportunities
1.4.2.3.1 A training policy adapted to the challenges of the sector
In a sector where continuous innovation, staying on top of technological advances and developing
expertise are key, naturally, all forms of training are a top priority. Huge changes have been taking
place in the sector for several years. New technologies allow for a direct connection with the consumer
and the Group’s business activities are becoming increasingly digitalized. The training policy aims to
support this transformation. Ubisoft provides its teams with training to help them develop the new
digital skills they need to reap all the benefits offered by connected platforms.
As a true entertainment Company, Ubisoft is also developing its teams in new areas including comic
books, book publishing, toys and figurines of our characters, movies and TV series. Links between
Ubisoft and related industries (music, film, television, publishing, etc.) are being developed and
exchanges with experts in these industries are encouraged.
The development of several games for the new generation of consoles (Wii U™ from Nintendo, XBOX
One from Microsoft, PS4 from Sony) gives our teams the opportunity to master the most advanced
technologies on the market today. Video gaming is a relatively new business compared with other
entertainment industries, and adapted training courses are provided, for the most part within the
Group, which particularly complement on-the-job training. That is why Ubisoft has endeavored to
develop its employees by setting up specific training courses that are created in-house and focused on
technical fields linked to the video game industry. These training courses can be given on-site by the
subsidiary or internationally at the Ubisoft Academies, which provide demanding, high-level training. In
the 2013/2014 financial year, 80 employees benefited from these courses, which makes it possible to
develop the key skills of employees in line with operational requirements and the complexity and
development of the profession. Ultimately, this training provides genuine opportunities for our in-house
talented staff from different backgrounds to share and discuss their ideas and experiences.