IT Verband Zuid-Holland Submits €17 Million Application National Growth Fund for IT (Security) Talent

A consortium of organisations including WE-IT Zuid-Holland, Dutch Innovation Factory (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, mboRijnland and municipality of Zoetermeer) , IT Campus Rotterdam and Security Delta (HSD) has submitted an application to the National Growth Fund (through Katapult) for public-private initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of IT (security) talent in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The application covers a budget of approximately €17 million in public-private investments, and the outcome is expected to be announced around summer '23.

The shortage of IT security talent is a growing concern for SMEs in the Netherlands, and the consortium's application aims to scale up public-private initiatives to address this issue. The application to the 'We are Katapult' via RVO call is part of the Province of South Holland, Economic Board South Holland, and Metropoolregion Rotterdam-The Hague's efforts to encourage innovation and economic growth in the region.

The consortium's application includes a range of initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of IT (security) talent, including education and training programmes, research and development projects, and collaboration between SMEs and educational institutions. If successful, the application will provide much-needed support for SMEs in the region and help to address the growing demand for IT (security) talent.