Looking Back at 2 Years of IT Verband Zuid-Holland

Over two years ago, WE-IT, IT Campus Rotterdam, the Dutch Innovation Factory and Security Delta started with one ambition: to reduce the shortage of ICT talent & cybersecurity specialist in SMEs in South Holland and strengthening the link between IT vocational education/training and the labour market. Now, halfway through the four-year ITVZH programme, the results exceed our expectations. However, the demand for ICT skills in SMEs is growing faster than the supply and is dynamic. So we are not yet finished with learning, developing and scaling successful initiatives.

The past year has been marked by VR cyberattacks to AI sessions for entrepreneurs, from hacking lessons in primary schools to a quick scan for digital maturity. Together we have laid a solid foundation and made an impact. With a new coordinator on board, we are heading towards even more impact for SMEs in South Holland.

Facts & Figures: 2 years ITVZH

In the two years of ITVZH (1 July 2023 – 31 June 2025), we have achieved significant impact:

• 2,669 industry parties were consulted
• 3,961 (potential) employees were involved
• 11,172 pupils and students were reached
• 351 teachers and researchers actively contributed.

Building on the initiatives from the first year, we have launched new projects and activities in the second year that together further strengthen our digital region.

Highlights activities in the past year 

In addition to the initiatives from the first year, we have set up new projects and activities in the second year that together contribute to a strong digital region.

Innovating together

We created new tools and spaces for knowledge and innovation:

• Developed a quick scan to measure the digital maturity of SMEs, based on the European Digital Maturity Handbook.
• Renewed the Experience Centre as a space for co-creation and experiments with SMEs.

Digitally resilient together

Companies had a unique opportunity to test their digital resilience:

• VR experience of a cyberattack at Digiwerkplaats Rijnmond, including insights into AI voice scamming.
• Start of OT Security Simulation at the Flow Center of Excellence: a realistic testing environment for OT cyberattacks and strategy development.

Developing talent together and strengthening diversity

We invested in the digital generation of tomorrow as well as diversity in IT:

• Cyber Ladies Meet-up at the HSD Campus: focus on diversity and talent development.
• 10th edition International Cybersecurity Summer School: SMEs meet new talent.
• Mainport Next: over 2,000 students explored digital innovation in the port and saw how technology is transforming work.

Sharing knowledge together

Practical knowledge for entrepreneurs was central:

• AI sessions for SMEs: from content creation to automation and target audience analysis.
• Digiwerkplaats Rijnmond Hackathon: students examined SME websites and social media, provided quick scans and improvement advice. Entrepreneurs simultaneously attended an AI workshop full of practical applications.

Collaboration as a driver for the future
Collaboration remains the engine behind our joint added value for South Holland:

• Meetup & Share sessions where project leaders exchange knowledge and experience.
• WE-IT celebrates its 5th anniversary: over 3,000 people trained as IT professionals and 850 employers assisted.

Our results are not only the outcome of projects, but also of collaboration and knowledge sharing. We continue to build a strong ecosystem, made possible by the National Growth Fund, RVO and Katapult. We are only halfway there. New projects, more talent, more results. Together we take the next step towards a better digital future for South Holland!

National Growth Fund

The Dutch government has granted 123 million euros to advance existing collaborations. The contribution comes from the National Growth Fund and is part of the Action Plan for Green and Digital Jobs. By doing so, the government aims to address the shortage of staff in technology and IT, ensuring that the Netherlands can continue to focus on the energy and digital transition. The collaborations connect education and the business community, as it is essential to train young people with the right skills for the regional labour market. Additionally, employees in regional businesses must remain employable through retraining. The innovation capacity of SMEs is also being stimulated. IT Verband Zuid-Holland is one of the 15 initiatives supported by this grant with a subsidy of 7.1 million euros.

Check out the first-year activities