11 Dec Codam’s Managing Director argues why we must embrace new forms of education
11-12-2024 | Maarten Naaijkens, managing director of coding school Codam, argues that the Netherlands is losing its pioneering spirit by failing to embrace new forms of education. While companies consider relocating abroad due to staff shortages, particularly in IT, Codam demonstrates that innovative education works. Their peer-to-peer learning model without traditional teachers trains students to become high-quality IT professionals within two years, with virtually all graduates finding immediate employment.
Despite proven success, Codam faces bureaucratic obstacles: students cannot access study financing and their diplomas are not officially recognized by the government. This hinders both students and the progress the Netherlands desperately needs. Other countries like France have fully integrated similar innovative educational models, leaving the Netherlands behind in educational innovation.
Naaijkens warns that the lack of courage to deviate from traditional norms costs the Netherlands not just jobs, but also innovation capacity and competitive advantage. He calls for reclaiming the Dutch pioneering spirit and recognizing institutions like Codam as essential solutions to labor market problems. The Netherlands must dare to trust new ideas and models to secure its future as a knowledge economy.
For full article (in Dutch), go to “Als we goede IT’ers willen blijven opleiden, moet Nederland nieuwe vormen van onderwijs durven omarmen“