College Helps Bridge Digital Divide

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, is coming to Manchester in Autumn.

22:41 23 September 2020

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, which first opened in London, is coming to Manchester this Autumn. The free-to-attend college, which provides sixth form and apprenticeship programmes, has been established mainly to help students, particularly women and those from low-income backgrounds. 

 

The college's move to Manchester is fully supported by Manchester City Council, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and key industry leaders and employers. ADA will launch its two-year Digital Innovation Apprenticeship in February 2021. The programme is aligned to the Level 4 Software Developer Standard with the optional third year of study to top up to a BSc Degree Apprenticeship. 

 

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: "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."