Minister Julia Lopez meets the ‘cyber talent of tomorrow’ at ADA

We were delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Julia Lopez MP, Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure to ADA at Cheltenham Campus this week; supporting the town’s ambitions and progress in developing the UK’s cyber sector and ecosystem.

Organised by the Golden Valley Development, the Minister was welcomed by Principal Matthew Burgess, Vice Principal and CFO Andy Bates, MP Alex Chalk and Councillor Andrew McKinlay, to tour the £3m cyber training centre and speak to our learners, before heading up to the on-site Hub8 GC to meet with key stakeholders in the major infrastructure project led by Cheltenham Borough Council.

Minister Lopez enjoyed a demonstration of a live cyber threat map and password cracking software with our Level 3 cyber security technician apprentices, in our flagship cyber attack and defence room, before sitting down with our Level 3 Forensic Computing and Cyber Security students.

The Minister was keen to explore the views of our learners on the opportunities the growing cyber ecosystem opens up for their futures, as well as the increase in popularity of apprenticeships over the traditional university route. 

Cyber Security Technician Apprentice, Harith Khan, said: “I studied IT in college before and was leaning towards either university or an apprenticeship. In all honesty, I’m a hands-on kind of person; university just wasn’t for me. I am not the kind of person to sit in lectures all day, doing long assignments. I’d rather learn as I get on with the job. I like the practical side of my apprenticeship and learn better this way. I definitely made the right choice.”

Supported by its partnership in the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT), GC delivers a range of courses and apprenticeships that bring education and industry together; supporting employers to develop higher level skills and training employees for the jobs of tomorrow. ​

Principal Matthew Burgess said: “We are seeing a shift in perceptions of apprenticeships versus university – particularly in cyber and computing. This, is down to our links with employers and the value that working collaboratively adds; to our learners, to the businesses and the wider ecosystem. Our new T Level learners, for example, have invaluable work placements with our network of cyber employers, which will really set them apart when they progress into higher education or an apprenticeship.

“We’ve partnered with UWE Bristol because it’s got such strong cyber credentials, and now offer programmes up to degree level. We are very proud to offer the only NCSC-recognised degree apprenticeship in the country.

“ADA is about linking education with business; working closely with Hub8, Cynam and the Golden Valley Development enables us to give students access to employers and real-life industry experience they simply won’t get at school or university.”

Concluding the visit, The Rt Hon Julia Lopez MP said: “It's been great meeting the cyber talent of tomorrow and to see them firsthand gaining valuable security skills. 

"Cheltenham's Golden Valley Development is at the heart of our country's cyber sector and is playing a vital role helping us achieve the ambitious plans set out in our National Cyber Strategy."

Watch the official DCMS video of the visit:

Read the official release by the Golden Valley Development here.

For more information on ADA, visit www.gloscol.ac.uk/ada