Ada Coaching Programme

Transform a student’s life through mentoring

What is the Ada Coaching Programme?

At Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent.

The Ada Coaching Programme pairs volunteers with an Ada student for one-to-one coaching throughout their sixth form journey. By sharing your experience and insights, you can play a meaningful role in helping a young person prepare for a successful career in the digital sector.

As a coach, you’ll support a student by sharing your career journey, offering real-world industry insight, helping them develop essential professional and communication skills, and building their confidence and professional networks so they feel they belong and can thrive in the workplace.

Coaching is a rewarding experience for both students and volunteers. You’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to a young person’s future while developing your own mentoring and leadership skills.

How does this benefit students?

– Develop key employability skills.

– Build confidence and self-belief.

– Set meaningful goals and create action plans.

– Recognise and understand their strengths, skills and areas for development.

– Make informed decisions about their post-Ada pathways and future career options.

Applications are now open!

We’d love to welcome you as an Ada coach. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the application form below.

What happens next?

Once you submit your application, we’ll:

– Request a professional reference.

– Arrange your enhanced DBS check, fully funded by Ada.

– Invite you to a coach training and safeguarding session in October.

– Match you with a student to begin your coaching journey.

Time commitment

We recommend around six coaching sessions per academic year, although this can be adapted to suit both you and your student. Your coaches will take the lead in arranging the sessions at mutually convenient times.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact coaching@ada.ac.uk.

Application deadline: 28 September 2026

Ada Coaching Application

Ada is a unique and supportive environment which bridges the gap between education and employment. The Coaching Programme is an integral part of that.

Ada’s coaching team will provide guidance throughout the application process and the programme.
If you have any questions please contact coaching@ada.ac.uk.

Coaches are eligible upon completion of the following:
Completion of this application form, including confirmation of your availability for one of the dates listed below.
Provide an employer referee, including their email address. Please notify your referee that Ada will contact them directly to complete the reference.
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Ada will organise and cover the cost).
If you would like to become an Ada Coach, please complete the application below.

URL

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Email Address(Required)

Full Name(Required)

Company(Required)

Job Title(Required)

Your referee's full name (should be your current employer/line manager)(Required)

Your referee's email address(Required)

Is your current employer aware of and in support of your wish to be a coach at Ada?(Required)

Yes

Other

Describe…

Help us call you by the right pronouns(Required)

She/Her

He/Him

They/Them

Other

Describe…

Is it your intention to live in the UK until April 2028?(Required)

Yes

Please indicate which training and matching session you will be able to attend at Ada (in person, 2:00 – 4:00PM). If you are unable to attend please email coaching@ada.ac.uk.(Required)

Session 1: November 5th 2026

Session 2: November 12th 2026

Please let us know if you have any requirements to support you in this volunteering role, such as accessibility, communication or mobility needs.

Which college location would you like to coach at? (Please note that you must be able to attend the training session in person.)(Required)

London, 1 Sutherland St, SW1V 4LD

Manchester, 16 Blossom Street, Ancoats, M4 5AW

Thank you for applying to be an Industry Coach at Ada Manchester!

This is an exciting time as you will be supporting the first ever Sixth Form Cohort at Ada Manchester. The learners at Ada Manchester will be undertaking the Digital Software Development T Level. This T Level has been developed in partnership with top employers such as ARM, BBC, BT, Cisco, and CompTIA, ensuring learners gain the precise knowledge and skills that are highly sought after in the industry. It offers a rigorous combination of specialised academic learning in computing, delivered by expert teachers, and extensive hands-on experience in the workplace. By the end of the two-year program, learners will be well-equipped to transition into a Digital Apprenticeship Degree or a University Computer Science Degree, setting the stage for a thriving career in the digital sector. Read more here: https://www.ada.ac.uk/sixth-form/london-curriculum/developer-pathway-2/digital-software-development-t-level/

Do you have any hobbies or interests you would like to share with us?

If you would like to be paired with a specific learner, please write their name below:

Please provide your LinkedIn Profile (or send your CV to coaching@ada.ac.uk and write "emailed" below)(Required)

Thank you for applying to be an Industry Coach at Ada London!

The following information helps us match you with students whose chosen pathway best aligns with your professional experience and interests. Find out more about the pathways here: https://www.ada.ac.uk/sixth-form/london-curriculum/

Creator Pathway (Computing & Graphics): Focuses on creative technology, UI/UX, and digital design.

Developer Pathway (T Level in Software Development): A highly technical, vocational software engineering pathway.

Innovator Pathway (Computing & Business): Centers on the intersection of tech and commerce.

Pioneer Pathway (Computing & Advanced Maths): Emphasizes academic rigor and theoretical foundations.

Foundation Year (Post-GCSE Transition): Dedicated to building core technical confidence and academic readiness, with the outcome being preparation for Level 3 / T Level success.

Based on the pathway/s descriptions, which pathway do you feel best aligns with your interests and/or expertise, please click all that apply(Required)

Creator

Developer

Innovator

Pioneer

Foundation

Are you a returning coach?(Required)

Optional: Share Further Information

Ada is committed to supporting a diverse community of students who have varied backgrounds and needs. If you have a particular interest in working with a student with special educational needs or a student from a specific background, please include details in your response.

If you have the capacity and would be willing to support two students through the coaching programme, please confirm below.(Required)

Note: You will coach both students in separate, individual sessions, not as a pair.

Yes, I would be interested in coaching two students

No, I would like to be paired with one student

Next steps:

After completing this application and after we receive your reference, you will be invited to complete a DBS Check via carecheck. Please complete this as soon as possible as it can be a lengthy process. You will also be invited to your specified training and matching session in November 2025. (in person at our sixth form campus 1, Sutherland St, Pimlico, London SW1V 4LD)

Ada is committed to the safeguarding of all students who study at the college. Please read the following information carefully to understand the impact of this.

If you would like to make a disclosure, either regarding a criminal conviction or disciplinary procedures that may be disclosed either through your reference or a DBS check, please send an email to coaching@ada.ac.uk. Please note that a disclosure does not automatically mean that your application will not be considered; disclosures will be considered on a case by case basis.