Retraining for IT: where do you start?
Retraining for IT starts with one choice: which direction you want to go. Then you choose a route. In the Netherlands there are five: a job guarantee programme, an IT traineeship, an online programme at your own pace, a lateral-entry or part-time hbo (university of applied sciences) programme, and self-study. Depending on the route, a career switch to IT takes a few months to about a year. Below you can see which route suits you, what it costs and whether it really leads to a job.
Retraining for IT in 4 steps
1. Choose your direction
IT is broad. Do you want to build things, work with data or help people with technology? That question decides which way you go and which programme you look for. Choose your direction before you look at providers. Otherwise you choose on price or duration and not on what you enjoy. Not sure yet? Take the IT career test or see which direction suits you.
2. Choose your route
There are five routes into IT: a job guarantee programme, an IT traineeship, an online programme at your own pace, a lateral-entry or part-time hbo programme, and self-study. They differ in duration, cost, entry requirements and the amount of guidance. Which one fits depends on how much time you have and whether you want to learn alongside your job. Further down they are side by side.
3. Arrange your funding
You do not always have to pay for retraining yourself. The UWV, your employer or a regional grant can contribute. Arrange this before you start, not after. Which scheme applies to you depends on your situation: are you working now, do you receive a benefit, and do you want to learn full-time or alongside your job?
4. Start and build your portfolio
Start learning and work on real projects from the beginning. Keep what you make. A portfolio shows an employer what you can do, and that counts for a lot when you come from outside IT. Also plan fixed hours each week. That way you keep your pace, even without a timetable.
Which route suits you?
Five routes, with the same fields on every row. That way you compare fairly. Winc Academy is the third route: an online programme at your own pace. We do not offer the other four.
Job guarantee program
Yes.
A programme with a job attached. The provider guarantees you a job after you finish, usually together with an employer.
Usually a few months, in a fixed program.
People who want to start quickly and can commit to it full-time. Check the entry requirements. They differ per provider.
At the provider, often combined with the employer.
IT traineeship
You start with the job.
An employer hires you first and then trains you. You do paid work while you learn, even without an IT background.
Differs by employer.
People who have an hbo or university degree and want an employer straight away. You do choose your training and your employer at the same time.
At your workplace, at the employer that hires you.
Online training at your own pace
No. You do get career support and a network of employers.
A practical IT retraining programme that you follow fully online, without fixed class hours. You work on projects and get guidance from a mentor.
3 to 9 months, depending on the program.
People who want to learn alongside a job or family and set their own pace.
At home, online. You reach your mentor via Slack and in 1-on-1 sessions.
Lateral entry or part-time hbo
No.
A part-time programme at a university of applied sciences (hbo), alongside your job. You work towards an hbo degree.
The longest route. Expect about a year or more.
People who want a recognised degree and have time for a longer study. Admission depends on your previous education.
At a university of applied sciences, in a fixed program with scheduled classes.
Self-study
No.
You learn on your own, with online lessons, books and practice projects. No fixed programme and no guidance.
Up to you. Without structure it often takes longer.
People with a lot of discipline, a small budget and no real need for a certificate.
Anywhere, without a mentor.
How does retraining work at Winc Academy?
100% online and flexible learning
All our programmes can be followed fully online, without fixed class hours or required attendance. You decide when and where you study, so you can easily combine your retraining with your current job, family or other commitments.
Personal guidance
You are never on your own! From day one you get access to our online learning environment and guidance from experienced mentors. They follow your progress, give feedback on your assignments and are ready to answer your questions via Slack or in 1-on-1 sessions.
Practical learning
No dusty theory, but knowledge you can use straight away! Our programmes are hands-on: from the start you work on realistic projects that strengthen your portfolio. While retraining for IT you learn exactly what you need to start successfully in your new IT career.
Career support
We do not only help you learn, but also with the step to your new job. With our wide network of employers and our career support, we set you on your way to a successful start in the IT sector.
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Which IT role suits you?
Building, data or helping people? That one question points you in a direction. These are Winc's retraining programmes per direction, with the maximum duration.
Building: Programming
You build websites and apps. Choose from Front-end Development (up to 6 months), Back-end Development (up to 5 months), or Full-stack Development (up to 9 months). Web Developer is also an option. Read more about this career path under retraining as a programmer.
Data
You turn numbers into insights and help organisations make better choices. Choose from Data Analytics with Python (up to 3 months) or Business Data Analytics (up to 3 months).
Helping people: IT support
You are the point of contact between users and technology. Choose IT Service Desk Support (up to 4 months) or Functional Application Manager.
Online visibility: Digital Marketing
Prefer campaigns and reach data? Then Online Marketing (up to 3 months) is a good fit.
No idea yet? Take the IT career test, follow a free trial lesson or start with the Techstart orientation programme. Prefer to learn single topics? Look at the 60+ separate IT courses or the subscription. All retraining programmes are on one page.
Our students work at
Our popular retraining courses
Back-end Development
Data Analytics with Python
What does it cost and who helps pay?
What retraining for IT costs depends on three things: the route you choose, how long the programme takes, and whether you learn full-time or alongside your job. A long route usually costs more than a short one. With self-study you mainly pay with your time.
You do not always have to pay for it yourself. Winc Academy works with four funding routes: UWV funding (the route for IT retraining through the UWV), Employer budget (your employer helps pay), TechMeUp and Regional grants. Looking for paid IT retraining? Then you usually mean that someone else pays for your programme, such as the UWV or your employer. That also falls under these four routes.
Which scheme suits you depends on your situation. Fill in the Financing Guide, or see all funding options. Prefer to talk it through with someone? In a free advice call you discuss what your route costs and which scheme you can use.
Where do you find the amount?
What a programme at Winc Academy costs is on the page of the programme itself, in the block "Investing can be done in these ways". There you can also see whether you pay in one go or in instalments. Choose the programme you want to follow above under "Our popular retraining programmes", or see all retraining programmes.
Funding: learn without worries!
We understand that the cost of a programme is an important consideration when you are thinking about a career switch or improving your skills. That is why at Winc Academy we have worked hard on partnerships with various funding partners that make your IT course accessible.We understand that the cost of training is an important consideration when thinking about changing careers or improving your skills. That's why at Winc Academy, we've worked hard on collaborations with various funding partners to make your IT course accessible.
UWV funding
Do you have unemployment benefits? The UWV supports retraining to promising professions such as IT. As a contracted training institution, we can help you apply for this funding.
Employer budget
Many employers like to invest in developing their employees. Ask about the options for a training budget or training appointment.
Tech MeUp
Start your education immediately thanks to an interest-free loan especially for IT courses. This way, you can spread the costs and start your new career right away.
Regional subsidies
Subsidies are also available at regional level. Do you live in the Haaglanden region? Then you may be eligible for the Haaglanden Leert Door training voucher, which can reimburse you up to €3,500 in training costs.
Curious what our students say about us?
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Thank you
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Does it really lead to a job?
Honest answer: sometimes yes, sometimes no. And that rarely comes down to the certificate alone. These four things decide your chances the most:
Which role you choose.
Not every IT role has as much room for starters. Choose a role where companies hire and train juniors, and not only the role that sounds the most exciting.
Whether there is a junior entry level.
As a career switcher you start at junior level. That is normal. Look for a role with a clear first step and grow from there.
What you can show.
A portfolio with real projects tells an employer more than a list of certificates. Build it from day one.
Whether the route includes a workplace.
An internship, work experience placement, or assignment for a real company makes the step to your first job smaller. Ask about this before you choose.
About retraining for IT with a job guarantee: that is a specific product. Some providers in the Netherlands offer a programme where a job is attached to the training. That is the first route in the overview above. Winc Academy's programmes are not that.
What we do offer: career support and a network of employers. You learn with a mentor, build a portfolio and get help with the step to your first IT job.
Want to know what this looks like in your situation? Book a free advice call.
Frequently asked questions about switching to an IT career
How do I retrain for a job in IT?
First choose a direction: building, data or helping people. Then choose a route that fits your time and budget, and arrange your funding before you start. Then start learning and build a portfolio from day one. The five routes and who they are for are described above under "Which route suits you?".
What do you earn in IT?
It depends on the role. What you earn depends on the job you choose, whether you are junior or senior, the sector and the region, and whether you work full-time or part-time. As a career switcher you start at junior level and grow from there. Want a realistic picture for your situation? Discuss it in a free advice call.
What does retraining for IT cost?
That depends on the route you choose. With self-study you mainly pay with your time. A part-time hbo programme runs over several years and costs more accordingly. An online retraining programme sits in between. At Winc Academy the price is on the page of the programme itself, in the block "Investing can be done in these ways", and you pay in one go or in instalments. You do not always have to pay the full amount yourself: there are four ways to get your programme funded, namely through the UWV, through your employer's training budget, with an interest-free loan from TechMeUp and through a regional training budget. See all funding options.
Can the UWV pay for my IT programme?
Yes, if you receive a WW benefit (Dutch unemployment benefit). The UWV pays for retraining towards an in-demand profession, and several IT roles qualify. If your application is approved, the UWV pays for the full programme and you pay nothing yourself. The application takes four steps: you write a motivation, you choose a programme with good job prospects, you discuss the application with your UWV work coach, and after approval you start. The decision lies with the UWV, not with Winc Academy. If your application is rejected, Winc looks at whether your motivation can be made stronger or which other funding fits. Read how UWV funding works.
Who pays for my retraining if I do not receive a WW benefit?
Then there are three other routes. Your employer can contribute from its training budget. TechMeUp provides an interest-free loan that you repay once you are working. And there are regional training budgets, including Groei Vooruit, Haaglanden Leert Door, the Scholingscheque regio Twente, the Scholingsvoucher regio Achterhoek and the Scholingsbudget regio Rijnmond. Which scheme suits you depends on where you live and work. You can also pay for the programme yourself, in one go or in instalments. Discuss your situation in a free advice call.
Is it possible to retrain for IT later in life?
Yes. Age is not a requirement to start. What usually gets in the way is time: a job, a family, other commitments. That is why at Winc Academy you learn fully online, without fixed class hours and at your own pace. That way you combine retraining with your current life. A mentor supports you via Slack and in 1-on-1 sessions.
Is there IT retraining with a job guarantee?
Yes, it exists. In the Netherlands there are programmes where the provider guarantees you a job after you finish, usually together with an employer. That is the job guarantee programme in the route overview on this page. Winc Academy's programmes are not part of that. Winc offers career support and a network of employers, not a job guarantee.
Take the first step towards your future in IT now!
Ready to give your career a new direction? Start your retraining for IT today:
✓ Take our IT career test: find out within 2 minutes which IT direction suits you. You can also always join our free webinars to see whether retraining for IT suits you.
✓ Book a free advice call: our education advisers are happy to think along with you.
✓ Check the funding options: find out how you can pay for your programme.
✓ Start your programme: begin your new future in the IT sector!
We are happy to help!
Our education advisers are ready to help you.
Of course, you can also call us via +31 (0) 88 16 60 316 or mail to welkom@wincacademy.nl
