Ada, the National College for Digital Skills has announced it is coming to Manchester this Autumn.
The free-to-attend college, named after 19th century British computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, first opened in London in 2016 and provides sixth form and apprenticeship programmes.
Focused on using digital skills as a tool for social mobility, the college’s mission is to work with industry to deliver an education that empowers students, especially women and those from low-income backgrounds, to progress into high-skilled digital roles.
The college will launch a new ‘hub’ in the city with support from Manchester City Council and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, along with key industry figures and employers.
Its first cohort of apprentices will start their training in February 2021, on its Digital Innovation Apprenticeship, a two-year programme aligned to the Level 4 Software Developer Standard with the optional third year of study to top up to a full BSc Degree Apprenticeship.
Ada’s new base has been backed by Manchester-headquartered Godel Technologies, having donated to the institution to help kick-start its work in the North and replicate the success of its London college.
Ada chief executive Mark Smith said: “We’re very proud of what we have achieved over the last four years and look forward to building on this in Manchester.
“There is so much local talent that we are keen to nurture and develop, creating and supporting a pipeline of tech-talent for the North - we’re really excited to start this next chapter.”
Lou Cordwell, co-chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership, said it was “particularly excited” to see Ada in Manchester.
“They have a proven track record and will make a key contribution to digital skills development in the region, supporting our goal to be a leading digital city region.
“Initiatives like Ada are vital for our ambition to Build Back Better in Greater Manchester - it’s more important than ever that young people are supported to access opportunities in the growing tech sector.”
The college, based on Oxford Road, will be launched officially on Ada Lovelace Day - October 13.
Neil McMurdo, chief executive at Godel, said: “We think it’s really important to help young adults develop their skills in all walks of life.
“At Godel, we are proud to offer apprenticeships within various departments at our Manchester HQ. Being a tech-centric company, we understand the importance of helping to diminish a future skills gap in the tech sector here in the UK, which is ultimately why we are really proud to be able to pledge our support to the Ada college”.
