Nyva turned something difficult into something beautiful with the LTAP training
July 04, 2025
"It's a bit of a strange story how I ended up at Summa College for the Team/Department/Project Management (LTAP) course," says Nyva van der Aalst (19). Like many of her fellow students, she found it difficult to immediately choose a course that suited her.
I was looking for a program that matched my strengths and qualities. Because I had to take charge of my own life at a young age, and that energized me, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in management or leadership. The study choice tool led me to this unique opportunity. Summa College offers the Level 4 Team/Department/Project Management program in one year, supplementing the MBO level 3 program you're currently enrolled in.
LTAP in a nutshell
LTAP stands for Team/Department/Project Manager. But leadership is a very broad concept. You might think of your manager at your part-time supermarket job or at the hospitality company you work for. Managers exist in every organization. This makes it a very broad program. That was one of the reasons why this program appealed to Nyva.
I see the LTAP program as a supplement to what you already know. Personally, I mainly found it a way to orient myself, because you can intern at almost any company. I looked for an interesting company and experienced during the internship whether it was truly a good fit for me. If it's not for you, that's okay. You're not committed to anything.
Brainteasers
A good mix of theory and assignments is important. That's why students work on several brainteasers during the program. Nyva particularly remembers the assignment where they had to establish a city.
We broke into groups and started establishing a city. A mayor and a minister had been appointed, all of whom were preoccupied with their own affairs and couldn't seem to agree on anything. Meanwhile, we had to work on the city's layout. We considered sufficient housing, a hospital, a police station, elderly care, and much more.
I was especially surprised at how difficult it can be to get everyone on the same page. The mayor didn't take any initiative, and we started to drift apart. Our teacher taught us the best words to say in different situations. We quickly realized that communication can really make a difference in getting everyone on the same page.
Lots of freedom
Taking responsibility and taking ownership is crucial as a manager. Nyva experiences a great deal of freedom during the program and admits that it's not for everyone. "At LTAP, you can really work ahead. If you finish your assignment, you can take the exam early and be exempted from the remaining classes in that subject. Teachers let you know when the exams are open, and then you decide when to register. I'm also very happy with the support I receive from the school. It's really excellent, so I've already finished all my courses and only need to complete my internship."
Ready for a higher vocational education
LTAP is a level 4 program that takes one year to complete. This means you can immediately start working in the professional field after this year, or you can continue on to a higher professional education program. Nyva is only 19, so she's far from finished learning.
At home, I found myself in a position where I had to take initiative to get things done. This was tough, but I discovered that I also draw strength from it. The LTAP program allowed me to develop this further, and I learned new communication skills that will be useful in my further studies. I want to pursue a career in consulting. You need to be confident, be persuasive, and have expertise.