North Holland's TechCourt helps career changers land jobs in tech within 12 weeks
TechCourtNH in Zaandam offers a free 12-week program to help career changers, school leavers, and others enter the technical sector. With hands-on training, job coaching, and Dutch language support, participants quickly transition into work or work-study programs, addressing the region's tech labor shortage.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | TechCourtNH |
| Location | Zaandam, North Holland |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Frequency | 3 days a week |
| Focus Areas | Installation and electrical engineering, safety, Dutch technical terms |
| Target Group | Career changers, school leavers, people re-entering the workforce |
| Partners | Werkontwikkelbedrijf Werkom, Techlands, IW NoordHolland, UWV, WSP |
| Funding Source | Province of North Holland |
| Program Launch | April 2025 |
| Goal | Reduce technical personnel shortage, promote inclusivity |
The province of North Holland plays a key role in funding and initiating programs like TechCourtNH to address labor market shortages and promote workforce development. By collaborating with educational institutions and employment agencies, the province ensures that residents gain access to training and job opportunities in high-demand sectors.
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Participants in TechCourt quickly find their way to work or work-study programs
Publication date: March 20, 2026
Last modified: March 20, 2026
TechCourtNH supports anyone looking to enter the technical sectors in North Holland. In a practical learning environment, participants gain a solid foundation in installation and electrical engineering.
Participants receive free practical lessons in installation and electrical engineering in Zaandam, for 12 weeks, three days a week. This includes job coaching and guidance toward employment or a work-study program. “This preparatory program offers a great stepping stone to technical education,” says Wiebe Terpstra, Director of Technology at Talland College.
The approach focuses on orientation, inspiration, activation, and guidance, with attention to safety, skills, and learning Dutch technical terminology. This month, career changers, school leavers, and people who have temporarily stepped aside can start the program at TechCourt. “These candidates formed great groups where collaboration and learning were already taking place. With TechCourt, we create an additional valuable route to a job or work-study program,” says Bas van Drooge of Werkontwikkelbedrijf Werkom, a partner of TechCourtNH.
In April 2025, TechCourt North Holland launched in the IW electrical and installation technology workshop at Talland College in Zaandam. The approach is simple and effective: learning in practice (three days a week), skills-oriented, with intensive job coaching. This allows participants to quickly find their way to work or a work-study program. This works excellently for career changers and people for whom learning and working are not self-evident. With this project, all involved parties contribute to reducing the shortage of technical personnel, in an inclusive and results-driven manner.
“It’s great to see that, thanks to the expansion of workshop spaces, even more people now have a chance at a job in the technical sector,” says Maurice Klaver, Director of the regional training company for electrical and installation technology IW North Holland, a partner of TechCourtNH.
The province of North Holland has made resources available for this program because this preparatory program aligns well with the goals of the Manifesto Working and Developing 2030 North Holland. This gives career changers opportunities to work in the technical sector. The program also promotes inclusivity, as even without a suitable prior education or with limited Dutch language skills, you can get started.
Rethinking and looking at what people can do: who are you and what do you bring? That is the starting point for developing technical and professional skills.
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TechCourtNH Zaandam is an initiative of the province of North Holland, which also funds the project. Werkontwikkelbedrijf Werkom implements the programs, in collaboration with partners including Techlands, IW NoordHolland, UWV and WSP (education, guidance, and job coaching), Labor Market Region Zaanstreek/Waterland, EntreeNH (development of TechCourt in North Holland), Talland College, Pact Zaandam Oost and Wij Techniek (contribution to educational costs).
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