Wates has started refurbishment works at Ada’s new London Victoria campus, transforming a former secondary school into a National College for Digital Skills.

Established in Tottenham in 2016 to address the talent shortage and lack of diversity in the digital industries by creating a diverse pipeline of talent, Ada is a pioneering college and charity for young people aged 16-24, with 97% of its alumni working in tech or studying advanced degrees.

The project, carried out for the Department of Education (DfE), involves upgrading the building with the latest digital technology education facilities. The Wates project will ready for teaching to start at Ada’s new campus for the Autumn 2023 term.

Workshops will be converted into IT suites for the college’s core computing qualifications and lecture theatres will replace traditional classrooms. Plans also include a cafe, sports hall, gym and roof terrace with views over London.

Ada is working to remove the glass ceiling for women and encourage individuals from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds into the tech industry. Students benefit from a diverse curriculum, opening doors into a variety of careers in fields such as cybersecurity, animation and data analytics.

Ada has reached its capacity due to the number of students wanting to enrol and take their first step towards an exciting career in the tech sector. The new Victoria location not only offers more in terms of facilities, it also provides a wider geographical reach for future learners and employer partners. The new building will also allow Ada to double their learner numbers in the coming years.

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