27-01-2025 | Amsterdam’s privately funded Codam Coding College is pursuing ambitious expansion plans after six successful years of training programmers and software developers. The institute, which has produced hundreds of well-trained IT professionals to fill critical job vacancies, now aims to establish campuses across the Netherlands. 

The expansion is backed by Corinne Vigreux, TomTom co-founder and chief marketing officer, who has personally donated €20 million to the charitable foundation since 2018. The school distinguishes itself through its innovative “peer-to-peer” learning method, where students learn from each other through projects without traditional teachers. With the Netherlands facing an estimated 55,000 IT job vacancies—the highest percentage in Europe—Codam’s model addresses a critical skills shortage while promoting equal opportunities for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

To support the expansion, Codam has secured a substantial donation from the IMC Foundation, linked to Amsterdam-based trading firm IMC. However, founder Vigreux plans to reduce her annual contribution to under €2 million from 2026 onwards, making new partnerships essential. The institute currently trains 500 students with strict admission standards—only 30% of applicants secure a place after a four-week selection process. are highly sought after, with three-quarters finding employment during their internships and starting salaries exceeding €4,000 per month.

For full article (in Dutch), go to “Privaat gefinancierd opleidingsinstituut voor coderen mikt op expansie”