ZAL

What ZAL does

ZAL Zentrum Aus- und Weiterbildungs GmbH is a privately held, AZAV- and ISO 9001-certified vocational education provider serving the Berlin/Brandenburg region of Germany from two Bildungsstätte facilities in Ludwigsfelde and Brandenburg an der Havel. The company delivers four core product lines — Verbundausbildung (cooperative training across multiple SME partners), Berufliche Weiterbildung (vocational continuing education), Umschulungen (retraining programs yielding IHK-recognized qualifications in mechatronics, electronics, metal, and logistics), and Firmenspezifische Weiterbildung (customized corporate training) — supplemented by the Servicestelle Verbundausbildung hub that mediates apprenticeship placements and by youth programs including PraxisBO, BvB-Reha, and BaE-Reha. Infrastructure includes modern physical workshops, TÜV Rheinland-authorized welding course facilities (TR aSK), and Siemens Schulungspartner credentialing, with service delivery led by approximately 50 trainers.

The business model combines three funding sources: government-funded training via Agentur für Arbeit Bildungsgutscheine, corporate-paid customized training programs, and EU/State-subsidized vocational initiatives (notably the Servicestelle Verbundausbildung co-funded by the European Social Fund and Land Brandenburg). Go-to-market is sales-led with direct phone, email, and in-person consultation at both locations, augmented by community-led brokering through the Servicestelle and event-driven engagement (workshops, company visits, downloadable course catalogs). Customer segments span regional SMEs lacking training infrastructure, individuals pursuing retraining or career change, youth including those with disabilities, and larger enterprises (including Siemens) seeking credentialed technical training. ZAL does not disclose pricing publicly; contracts are quote-based, typically multi-year, and pricing depends on program type, duration, and funding source.

Operations are regional and stable, with no disclosed parent, funding rounds, acquisitions, or leadership transitions. The company is differentiated primarily through regulatory credentials (AZAV and ISO 9001), third-party authorizations (TÜV Rheinland, Siemens), and the consortium-based training model that structurally distributes apprenticeship responsibilities across SME partners in metalwork, electronics, logistics, automotive, and skilled trades.

Name

ZAL

Legal name

ZAL Zentrum Aus- und Weiterbildungs GmbH

Website

https://zal-bildung.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ZAL is a Berlin/Brandenburg-based, AZAV- and ISO 9001-certified vocational training provider delivering IHK-recognized retraining, cooperative apprenticeships, and corporate training across two Bildungsstätte locations. Its ~50 trainers serve regional SMEs, individuals seeking career change, and youth via government-funded and EU-subsidized programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding Codes, Safety & Compliance Training (AWS/ASME/OSHA) (EDAOADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Electrical & Motor Controls (EDAOAHAE), Train-the-Trainer & Instructor Enablement Services (BPAEANAL)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Apprenticeship consortium programs
• Retraining certifications
• Industrial welding training
• Workforce qualification

Headquarters

HQ city

Ludwigsfelde

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training (Bildungsgutscheine): ZAL delivers vocational training and retraining programs funded through government Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers) from the Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency). Individuals receive vouchers to pursue IHK-recognized certifications in fields like mechatronics, electronics, and logistics.
2. Company-Funded Corporate Training: ZAL provides customized training programs for companies, including employee qualification, practical and theoretical apprenticeship support, exam preparation, and staff recruitment. These services are funded directly by corporate clients.
3. EU/State-Funded Vocational Programs: The Servicestelle Verbundausbildung is co-funded by the European Union (ESF - European Social Fund) and Land Brandenburg, providing subsidized vocational training services to SMEs and youth in the region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ZAL Zentrum Aus- und Weiterbildungs GmbH is a certified vocational education and training provider in the Berlin/Brandenburg region offering practice-oriented training programs across mechatronics, electronics, metalworking, logistics, and welding. Its core offerings include cooperative apprenticeships (Verbundausbildung), certified retraining (Umschulungen) leading to IHK-recognized qualifications, vocational continuing education (Berufliche Weiterbildung), and customized corporate training (Firmenspezifische Weiterbildung), delivered at two training centers by approximately 50 experienced trainers.

Product overview

ZAL Zentrum Aus- und Weiterbildungs GmbH is a certified education and training provider (ISO 9001, AZAV certified) offering a portfolio of interconnected vocational education services. The core offering consists of four main product lines: Verbundausbildung (cooperative training combining multiple partners to deliver complete apprenticeship content), Berufliche Weiterbildung (vocational continuing education in commercial-technical fields), Umschulungen (certified retraining programs with IHK-recognized qualifications), and Firmenspezifische Weiterbildung (company-customized training programs). These are complemented by the Servicestelle Verbundausbildung service module providing intermediary support between companies and trainees, and youth programs including PraxisBO, BvB-Reha, and BaE-Reha. Additionally, specialized projects like INNOVET+ KIEFER and WILA focus on competence-oriented development and workplace learning concepts. The offerings are delivered across two locations (Ludwigsfelde and Brandenburg an der Havel) with approximately 50 experienced trainers and modern workshops, with EU ESF funding support for certain programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Verbundausbildung (Cooperative Apprenticeship Training) A form of vocational training in which multiple partner companies collaborate to deliver the full content of an apprenticeship, designed for SMEs that cannot independently cover all required training content. ZAL coordinates the consortium and provides workshop-based instruction.
• Umschulungen (Certified Retraining Programs) Certified retraining programs in mechatronics, electronics, warehouse logistics, and metalworking combining theoretical foundations with intensive practical phases and leading to IHK-recognized qualifications. Targeted at individuals seeking a career change.
• Berufliche Weiterbildung (Vocational Continuing Education) Continuing education courses for professionals who want to develop within their profession, specialize, or explore new fields, providing technical knowledge in commercial-technical areas with practical orientation.
• Firmenspezifische Weiterbildung (Company-Specific Customized Training) Customized training programs for companies covering employee qualification, practical and theoretical training of apprentices, exam preparation, and support with funding applications.
• Servicestelle Verbundausbildung (Cooperative Training Service Center) A service center acting as intermediary between companies and young people in the Berlin/Brandenburg region, providing support with setting up cooperative training positions, identifying suitable candidates, conflict moderation, and developing individual training plans. Co-funded by the European Social Fund and Land Brandenburg.
• PraxisBO – Praxislernen in Werkstätten (Practical Learning in Workshops) Practice-based learning program delivered in ZAL's workshops for youth career orientation and preparation for vocational training.
• BvB – Reha (Vocational Preparation for People with Disabilities) Disability-specific vocational preparation measure for young people with special needs, providing supported pathways into apprenticeship and employment.
• BaE – Reha (Out-of-Company Initial Training for People with Disabilities) Outside-company initial training program for young people with rehabilitation needs, providing supported transition from school into vocational training.
• Projekt INNOVET+ KIEFER Competence-oriented Individual Development project focused on individualized competence development under the framework of Flexible – Excellent – Reflective learning.
• Projekt WILA (Wirksames Lernen im Arbeitsprozess) Effective Learning in the Work Process project developing competence-based and environment-related further education concepts in the field of household management in the state of Brandenburg.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates receive IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) recognized qualifications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Siemens AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZAL is an official Siemens training partner (Schulungspartner), authorized to deliver technical training programs aligned with Siemens standards and equipment. This partnership provides credibility and access to industry-relevant curricula for vocational education in mechatronics and electronics.
• Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) refers eligible individuals to ZAL's training programs, with costs covered through government-issued Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers). This partnership enables access to publicly-funded vocational training and retraining programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WBS TRAINING: WBS TRAINING is a German vocational education provider (part of WBS Group) delivering AZAV-funded retraining and continuing education with strong digital and classroom offerings. Comparable to ZAL on IT/technical retraining funded through Bildungsgutscheine.
• Eckert Schulen: Eckert Schulen is a large German private vocational school group offering technical and trade training including welding, mechatronics, and industrial apprenticeships. Comparable to ZAL's continuing-education and retraining portfolio across multiple technical disciplines.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA's training division delivers AZAV-accredited vocational retraining, continuing education, and welding/technical certifications across Germany. Closely comparable offering portfolio to ZAL, including government-voucher-funded programs and corporate reskilling in mechatronics and metal trades.
• IBB (Institut für Berufliche Bildung): IBB is one of Germany's largest private vocational education providers, AZAV-certified, with nationwide programs in commercial and technical retraining. Competes directly with ZAL on Umuschulung and continuing education funded by Agentur für Arbeit.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland's training academy arm offers welding certifications and technical vocational training with nationwide coverage in Germany. Directly competes with ZAL's TÜV-authorized welding facility (TR aSK), but also represents a partner/issuing body for ZAL's welding credentials.
• FAW (Fortbildungsakademie der Wirtschaft): FAW is a major German vocational training and retraining provider, AZAV-certified, delivering Umschulung and continuing education in technical trades. Direct competitor for voucher-funded learners and corporate reskilling programs in the same industries ZAL serves.
• BBQ Berufliche Bildung (BBQ Bildung): BBQ is a nationwide German provider of AZAV-accredited vocational retraining (Umschulung) and continuing education funded by Bildungsgutscheine. Competes with ZAL in mechatronics, electronics, logistics, and metalworking retraining with similar IHK-recognized qualifications.

Others

• Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency): The German Federal Employment Agency administers Bildungsgutscheine and refers eligible individuals to AZAV-certified training providers like ZAL. It functions as the primary customer-acquisition channel and funding source for ZAL's voucher-funded programs.

Regional players

• IHK Berlin / IHK Potsdam: The regional Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue the recognized qualifications that ZAL's programs lead to and also coordinate apprenticeship examinations. They are both regulators and indirect participants in vocational training delivery within Berlin/Brandenburg.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Professional Education: Siemens operates its own professional education and apprenticeship programs globally, including dual-study and mechatronics certifications. As ZAL's training partner it is simultaneously an enabler and a potential competitor for technical training market share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZALAusundWeiterbildung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zal-zentrum-aus-und-weiterbildung-gmbh-ludwigsfelde-luckenwalde

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZAL