After the summer holidays, the Software Developer course has started in the H20 esports campus. This is a course offered by Horizon College in Purmerend in close collaboration with Bit Academy, an initiative aimed at better linking ICT education to the job market. The students learn from seniors and coaches how to deal with the rapid developments within this field in a different way. They work on realistic assignments from the business world. The partnership with Bit Academy fits in perfectly with the aims of the PurmerValley foundation. The foundation recently received a 2.5 million subsidy to develop and accelerate ICT projects in the Purmerend region.
During the Software Developer course, young people are trained to develop software for various applications such as websites, games and mobile apps. The H20 esports campus is also home to several young technology companies in order to stimulate cross-fertilisation between education and business.
The field has grown enormously due to the technological revolution of the past decades. The need for well-trained ICT personnel is therefore many times greater than the supply. New techniques and frameworks appear every month, which means that students must learn to deal with rapid changes. This requires a different form of education. One that revolves around learning and collaboration.
LEARNING AT YOUR OWN PACE
Students can choose their own direction and pace within the programme. The majority of the time, the student is busy with assignments from the business world, so they already get acquainted with it. Coaches from the business world with up-to-date experience guide the students and give workshops on current developments. Also 'in time learning' has been introduced: students have to investigate by themselves by trying things out. In doing so, they run into problems and are more open to absorbing material about the required method of working. Another important pillar is cooperation: you learn together instead of individually. Students are not only making assignments together, but also coaching each other, giving feedback and asking each other for help. By working together with Bit Academy, we expect to be able to help more young people develop their talents to meet the need for well-trained ICT staff in our region,' says Patrick Colli, ICT training manager at Horizon College.
BIT ACADEMY
The collaboration with BIT Academy is one of the initiatives to interest young people in training and a job in ICT. The PurmerValley Foundation, a partnership between the regional business community, education and the municipality of Purmerend, recently received a EUR 2.5 million subsidy to strengthen and enrich ICT education in the Purmerend region. The collaboration with Bit Academy contributes to this.