Consider a college where digital dreams take flight. This is Ada. National College for Digital Skills. Ada is more than just a college. It is a launchpad for future tech pioneers.
Ada’s story began with Mark Smith and Tom Fogden. They saw a skills crisis brewing. They noticed a gap between education and industry needs. Mark tutored a student struggling with Computer Science. He realized the lack of good Computer Science tutors. The industry’s expectations were not met by the schools.
This inspired Mark to think big. What if there was a college focused on digital skills? It could empower students for the future. He reconnected with Tom Fogden. They had both been part of Teach First. They met in 2013 and started planning.
Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, opened its doors in 2016. It became the first new further education college since 1993. Ada is named after Ada Lovelace. She was a pioneer in computer programming. The college is committed to digital excellence. Ada wants to offer an alternative to university. They aim to be a model for career-focused education.
Ada’s curriculum is designed with industry partners. These include Bank of America Merrill Lynch and IBM. Deloitte and Gamesys also contributed. King helped to shape the programs too. The Aldridge Foundation is a founding education partner.
Ada has a campus in London Victoria. Another campus opened in Manchester Ancoats in 2023. By 2028, Ada aims to educate 10,000 young people. Ada wants to transform lives across the nation. Currently, more than a third of Ada’s learners are female. Over half come from ethnic minority backgrounds. Half of the students are from low-income households.
Ada offers several courses. These include Software Development and Data Analytics. Students can also study Tech Consultancy and Cyber Security. Business Analysis courses are also available. Ada works with over 30 employers. Salesforce and Google are among them. Sainsbury’s, Deloitte, and EY are also partners. Ada’s degree programs are validated by the Open University.
Ada wants to close the gap between education and industry. They focus on skills above all else. Ada strives to remove barriers for talented young people. The college links them with their dream employers.
Ada students develop digital portfolios. These portfolios help them stand out. They move forward with confidence and ambition. Ada helps students unlock opportunities. They find apprenticeships and jobs in start-ups. Students also join large corporations. Some go on to top universities.
Ada’s Sixth Form Computer Science results are in the UK’s top 6%. Ada apprentices earn competitive salaries. An Ada apprenticeship provides a degree for free. Students earn money while gaining experience. They make valuable contacts. Ada provides unique opportunities. It brings like-minded people together. You won’t find anywhere else like Ada.
Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, shapes the future. It empowers the next generation. Ada gives them the skills to thrive in the digital age.