IT Academy Noord-Nederland

What IT Academy Noord-Nederland does

IT Academy Noord-Nederland is a non-profit professional education institution operating under Stichting Hanze (Hanzehogeschool Groningen) since 2016, providing IT courses, certifications, and academic programs to working professionals in the Northern Netherlands provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. Founded in 2014 by Hanze, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, IBM, and Samenwerking Noord, the academy delivers a portfolio spanning short professional courses (Data Analyse, Generatieve AI voor organisaties, AI Governance, Microsoft Power Platform, Informatiebeveiliging, Scrum Master, Java Development, Ethisch Hacken), vocational training (Vakopleiding Functioneel Beheer, Functioneel Beheer & AI), academic degree pathways (HBO-ICT deeltijd, Master Digitale Technologie), and structured retraining trajectories (Make IT Work, Certified Data Traineeship).

Its business model combines three revenue streams: course fees from open enrollment (€1,145-€2,995 per program), tailored incompany training delivered at client organizations, and government/EU subsidies — most notably a €1.6 million Just Transition Fund grant awarded in November 2025 for the Make IT Work reskilling program. Underlying technology for instruction includes Microsoft Power Platform low-code tools, Python and R for data science, and standard machine learning frameworks; courses teach applied AI, predictive analytics, generative AI tooling, and Dutch/European regulatory compliance (AI Act, GDPR, NIS2, Woo). Programs are co-developed with regional employers, knowledge institutions, and government bodies, with co-development partners including Waker Cyber Security, IDDI-Lab, CUMLAUDE.AI, and YER.

The academy operates with a small core team (1-10 employees) from its headquarters at Zernike Campus in Groningen, achieving a 10-year track record of 4,805 alumni trained across 389 organizations, including municipal, provincial, and national government agencies (Gemeente Groningen, Provincie Fryslân, DUO, DICTU, RDW, RVO), and private-sector references (Gasunie, Rabobank, Certe, Axians). Distribution is hybrid: direct website enrollment, incompany sales, the Samenwerking Noord channel network, and a 60+ employer Make IT Work placement pipeline that links reskilled trainees to regional IT vacancies with reported 95% graduation and 97% IT-retention rates.

Name

IT Academy Noord-Nederland

Legal name

Stichting Hanze

Website

https://itacademy.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IT Academy Noord-Nederland is a non-profit professional education institution under Hanzehogeschool Groningen, providing IT courses, certifications, and reskilling programs to working professionals and government organizations across the Northern Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional IT Education and Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs (BPAEANAB), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ), Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)

Keywords

• Professional IT training
• Data science education
• AI training programs
• IT reskilling programs
• Cybersecurity training

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course fees (open enrollment): Professionals pay for individual courses and training programs. Prices vary by program length and type, ranging from €1,145 for 2-day training to €2,426 annual tuition for degree programs plus materials.
2. Incompany training: Tailored training programs delivered at client organizations. Customized curriculum based on organizational needs. One of two service categories under Hanze general terms and conditions.
3. Government subsidies and grants: Make IT Work program received €1.6 million from Just Transition Fund (JTF). Initial EFRO subsidy supported program launch in 2019. Subsidies enable affordable/reskilling with job guarantee for participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IT Academy Noord-Nederland is a non-profit educational institution that delivers professional IT training programs, certifications, part-time academic degrees, and reskilling trajectories for working professionals and organizations in Northern Netherlands. Its offerings span data science and AI, functional management, information security, generative AI training, and leadership development, delivered through open-enrollment courses and customized incompany training, with the Make IT Work retraining program providing job-guaranteed career transitions into IT.

Product overview

IT Academy Noord-Nederland is a professional ICT education institution under the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, offering a comprehensive portfolio of training programs and retraining trajectories for working professionals in Northern Netherlands. The portfolio includes data-focused programs (Data Science en AI, Data Analyse, Data- en Informatiehuishouding, Certified Data Traineeship); AI programs (AI Governance, Generatieve AI voor organisaties, AI-gedreven Data Professional); functional management courses (Vakopleiding Functioneel Beheer, Functioneel Beheer & AI); the Make IT Work retraining program with job guarantee; technical programs (Informatiebeveiliging, Java Development, Ethisch Hacken); agile and leadership training (Scrum Master, Strategisch en Digitaal Leiderschap); and academic pathways (HBO-ICT deeltijd, Master Digitale Technologie). Programs are developed in collaboration with regional businesses, knowledge institutions, and government organizations to ensure market relevance and practical applicability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Make IT Work: A reskilling and upskilling trajectory offering career change programs for professionals without an IT background to transition into IT careers, with job placement guarantee. Operates under IT Academy Noord-Nederland and is part of Hanzehogeschool Groningen.

Products and services

• Data Science en AI Professional training program for data science and artificial intelligence, covering Python programming, machine learning model building, and ethical AI aspects. Features hands-on practical assignments linked to the workplace and is targeted at professionals seeking to apply AI/data techniques in their organization.
• Data Analyse Short, practical-oriented training in data analysis for professionals who want to work on real challenges using their own organizational datasets, developing interactive dashboards for presenting insights.
• Certified Data Traineeship Two-year traineeship program organized with Samenwerking Noord and YER, consisting of three 8-month internships at different member organizations. Includes training components with recognized certifications, focusing on data and AI.
• AI Governance Two-day interactive training developed with Waker Cyber Security on responsible AI deployment, covering the AI Act, GDPR, NIS2, trustworthy AI principles, and practical governance frameworks such as DPIA, FRIA, and ALTAI.
• Generatieve AI voor organisaties Two-day training on generative AI from strategy to practice, covering LLM technology, prompt engineering, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and Robotic Process Automation. Includes building AI workflows and chatbots.
• Vakopleiding Functioneel Beheer Professional training in functional management, teaching participants to manage applications, coordinate process changes, and ensure systems meet compliance requirements. Covers practical cases relevant to organizational growth paths.
• Functioneel Beheer & AI Three-day training preparing functional managers for AI implementation, covering AI signaling, user support, process consistency, and ethical dilemma monitoring. Based on the book 'Functioneel Beheer en AI'.
• Make IT Work Quality retraining trajectory with job guarantee for MBO, HBO, and WO graduates without IT backgrounds to transition to IT careers. Includes recruitment, selection, matching with employers, retraining, and job placement by the Make IT Work team.
• Data- en Informatiehuishouding 14-week program developed with IDDI-Lab and Dutch government for information management professionals. Covers data governance, change management, AI impact, legislation, ethics, and information systems. Participants develop organizational roadmaps.
• Microsoft Power Platform One-day classroom training in Groningen on Microsoft low-code technology for business process automation. Participants build working applications using SharePoint lists, Power Automate flows, and Power Apps interfaces.
• Master Digitale Technologie Master's program in Digital Technology offered in collaboration with Hanze University of Applied Sciences. Provides in-depth academic knowledge in digital technology domains.
• ICT deeltijd Part-time HBO-ICT bachelor's degree for professionals, combining work and study. Located at Zernike Campus with evening classes.
• Informatiebeveiliging Three-day training on information security, risk management, and legislation, developed with Waker Cyber Security. Addresses outsourcing relationships, cloud security, and realistic practice-based scenarios.
• AI-gedreven Data Professional Training program designed to develop AI-driven data professionals capable of applying AI techniques to data analysis and decision-making.
• Strategisch en Digitaal Leiderschap Refreshed leadership program preparing professionals for digital transformation, focusing on strategic digital leadership capabilities.
• Scrum Master Training program for becoming a certified Scrum Master, covering agile project management methodologies.
• Java Development Programming training focused on Java development skills.
• Ethisch Hacken Training in responsible digital intrusion techniques, teaching ethical hacking methodologies and security assessment skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% graduation rate for Make IT Work participants
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Waker Cyber SecuritymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Co-developed AI Governance training program. Also delivers Informatiebeveiliging (Information Security) training. Expert trainers from cybersecurity practice contribute to curriculum.
• YERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Recruitment partner for Certified Data Traineeship. Handles sourcing and selection of recent HBO/WO graduates with strong data profiles for the 2-year traineeship program across Samenwerking Noord member organizations.
• IDDI-Lab (Hanze)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research partner for Data- en Informatiehuishouding program development. Joint initiative with Rijksoverheid for information management education.
• Rijksoverheid / I-PartnerschapmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government partner in developing leergang Data- en Informatiehuishouding. Rijksorganisaties including DICTU, RDW, DUO, RVO involved in curriculum design.
• Hanzehogeschool Groningen (Hanze)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014IT Academy is officially part of Hanzehogeschool since 2016. Hanze provides academic structure, quality assurance, and institutional backing. IT Academy falls under the Institute for Communication, Media and IT. Hanze holds legal responsibility for the website and provides administrative infrastructure.
• Samenwerking NoordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Founding partner and ongoing strategic collaborator. ICT network organization connecting businesses in Northern Netherlands. Organizes Certified Data Traineeship with IT Academy and YER. IT Academy is embedded in their ecosystem and member activities.
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Founding partner in 2014 establishment. Contributes academic expertise to programs. Faculty members serve as instructors for Data Science and other programs. Joint research initiatives through IDDI-Lab.
• IBMmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Founding partner in 2014 establishment. Contributed to initial program development. Strategic alignment with industry technology trends.
• Gemeente en Provincie GroningenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Supported initial establishment in 2014 alongside founding partners. Local government backing for regional IT talent development.
• Digital Society Hub (Hanze)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation workspace collaboration. Jointly organizes Make IT Work Masterclasses with Sopra Steria and Pubheroes. Venue for D&D masterclass and other events.
• Sopra SteriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner contributing to Make IT Work Masterclasses. Expert presenters on topics like software quality testing and non-functional testing.
• PubheroesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Make IT Work Masterclasses. Contributes to Dungeons & Dragons serious gaming events for professional development.
• CUMLAUDE.AImajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAI & Automation Experts delivering Generatieve AI training alongside Hanze instructors. Provides practical AI tooling expertise for organizational training.
• IT Hub Noord NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional innovation workspace focused on retaining digital talent in Northern Netherlands, accelerating digitization, and stimulating SME innovation.
• Connect.frlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional initiative connecting talent flows. Presents Hacklab and MKB Cyber Campus initiatives focused on digital inclusion and SME cyber resilience.
• AI Hub Noord-NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional AI initiative. Co-organizing Make IT Work Masterclass on 28 May focused on digital autonomy.
• Digitale AcademieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital skills initiative offering ~280 accessible courses on digital skills; approximately 80% free access. Addresses digital divide through awareness and education.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Global Knowledge: Large international IT training company with a strong Dutch presence, offering vendor-authorized training across all major enterprise technology stacks. Broader and larger scale than IT Academy, but directly competes for the same vendor certification demand.
• Learning Tree International: Established global IT and management training provider with enterprise offerings. Competes for corporate IT training budgets across Europe with broader course catalogs and international delivery capability.
• New Horizons Computer Learning Centers: Worldwide IT training franchise offering vendor-certified and professional development courses. Comparable in target learner (working professionals seeking certifications) and course formats, though at much larger scale and broader geography.

Regional players

• Springest: Dutch training comparison and marketplace platform where IT Academy's courses can be listed. Comparable as a Dutch-region channel for professional course discovery and a potential partner or competitor for learner acquisition.
• IT Hub Noord Nederland: Regional innovation workspace and IT talent initiative in Northern Netherlands — an ecosystem partner of IT Academy rather than a direct competitor, but operating in the same Noord-Nederland digital talent space.

Direct peers

• Computrain: Dutch commercial IT training provider offering open enrollment and incompany courses in data, AI, Agile, and IT management — directly overlapping IT Academy's core portfolio of professional IT certifications and skills training in the Netherlands.
• Vijfhart IT-Opleidingen: Major Dutch IT training company with a broad catalog of courses, bootcamps, and vendor certifications (Microsoft, AWS, Cisco). Competes with IT Academy in vendor-aligned certification training and corporate upskilling for Dutch professionals.
• Capgemini Academy Netherlands: Part of Capgemini's global learning arm, delivering IT, digital, and data training to Dutch corporate and government clients. Directly comparable in targeting Dutch enterprises and government agencies for data, AI, and digital transformation upskilling.
• Eduvision: Dutch IT and business training provider offering open enrollment, incompany, and traineeship-style programs for professionals — closely comparable in business model, target audience, and Dutch regional focus.

Others

• Hanzehogeschool Groningen (Hanze Centre for Applied ICT): Parent institution and academic partner of IT Academy; offers related applied ICT and data programs at HBO level. Not a competitor but the closest comparable Dutch hogeschool for applied IT education and a key ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpjz2NeUNyb3G5VgV-OFrRAcom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/it-academy-noord-nederland
• Xx.com/IT_Academy_NN
• Facebookfacebook.com/itacademynoordnederland

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IT Academy Noord-Nederland