Commercial Vocational School Wetzikon

What Commercial Vocational School Wetzikon does

Gewerbliche Berufsschule Wetzikon (GBW) is a public vocational school operated by the Canton of Zurich, founded in 1863 by the local trade association (Gewerbeverein) with approximately 50 learners from the construction industry. It delivers theoretical education as part of Switzerland's dual vocational training system, where apprentices in trades such as automotive, electrical, construction, garden/landscape, wood, and facility maintenance attend school one to one-and-a-half days per week while completing practical training at partner training companies (Lehrbetriebe). The school operates across three campus locations in Wetzikon (Switzerland) with approximately 210 teaching staff (~180 full-time plus ~30 occasional) organized into four departments (Bau/Holz, Auto/Elektro, Garten, Betriebsunterhalt), serving the Oberland region of Canton Zurich.

The school's core products are 3-4 year EFZ (Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis) and EBA (Eidgenössisches Berufsattest) apprenticeship programs spanning eight trade areas, complemented by a continuing education (Weiterbildung) division anchored by the Hauswart/-in federal professional examination program (~60 participants per year, ~471 lessons) and the Hausmeister/-in federal diploma pathway, plus short courses in CAD (Cadwork 2026, SEMA), 3D printing, ECDL/ICDL, cleaning technology, and Berufsmaturität preparation. Technology-wise, GBW runs a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program, in place since 2014, with trade-specific device requirements (Windows 11 or macOS), and provides students free Microsoft 365 access including 1 TB OneDrive storage and SharePoint-based collaboration. Specialized trade software includes Cadwork and SEMA for woodworking, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign for architecture design modules, and Microsoft Teams for remote IT support. Cross-cutting support services include a free Lernatelier tutoring studio, Nachteilsausgleich (disadvantage compensation) for students with disabilities, bilingual German-French instruction for automotive mechatronics, and a formal student delegation system with statutory representation in the Schulkommission and Konvent.

GBW's revenue model is bifurcated: basic vocational education is primarily funded through Leistungsvereinbarungen (performance agreements) with the Canton of Zurich under the publicly funded Swiss vocational education system, while continuing education courses generate fee-based revenue with reduced rates for Canton Zurich residents and out-of-canton surcharges (e.g., Hauswart course CHF 12,115 + CHF 330 materials + CHF 1,597 textbooks + ~CHF 2,200 exam fee; ECDL/ICDL CHF 1,400 + CHF 130 textbooks + CHF 369 tests). Swiss Federal subsidies cover 50% of higher vocational education costs upon passing federal exams. The school holds ZEM CES external school evaluation certification (last evaluated June 19, 2026) and eduQua continuing education certification (last recertified November 4, 2025). The customer base is structurally diversified across individual apprentices, training companies that host practical training, and working professionals seeking continuing education, with no individual revenue concentration.

Name

Commercial Vocational School Wetzikon

Legal name

Gewerbliche Berufsschule Wetzikon

Website

https://gbwetzikon.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1863

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Gewerbliche Berufsschule Wetzikon is a public Canton of Zurich vocational school, founded 1863, delivering theoretical education for ~210 teaching staff across 8 trades under Switzerland's dual education system, plus continuing education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronics Technician Training (Analog/Digital) (EDAOABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Apprenticeship training
• Continuing education
• Trade education
• Dual education system

Headquarters

HQ city

Wetzikon

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Cantonal Funding: Funded by the Canton of Zurich through Leistungsvereinbarungen (performance agreements). Basic vocational education is publicly funded.
2. Continuing Education Course Fees: Professional development courses charge fees per course, with reduced rates for Canton Zurich residents and additional fees for out-of-canton participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Public vocational school providing initial vocational education (EFZ and EBA apprenticeships) and continuing education courses across the trade areas of Auto, Elektro, Bau, Holz, Garten, and Unterhalt, alongside Allgemeinbildung and Sport, delivered through Switzerland's dual education system.

Product overview

Gewerbliche Berufsschule Wetzikon (GBW) is a vocational and continuing education institution operated by the Canton of Zurich. Its offering consists of two integrated pillars: initial vocational education (Grundbildung) providing EFZ (federal certificate) apprenticeships in 8 trade areas lasting 3–4 years, and a comprehensive continuing education (Weiterbildung) division offering federally recognized certification programs, freifach elective courses, and support services. The vocational programs span automotive, electrical, construction, garden, wood, and building maintenance trades, with students attending one to one-and-a-half days per week at school while training with employers. The continuing education arm is anchored by the Hauswart/-in (federal professional examination) program and the Hausmeister/-in (federal diploma) pathway, supplemented by short courses in CAD (Cadwork, SEMA), 3D printing, cleaning technology, gardening, and ICT certification (ECDL/ICDL). Cross-cutting support services include a free Lernatelier tutoring studio, Nachteilsausgleich disadvantage compensation measures, bilingual instruction options, and a structured BYOD technology program providing Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and SharePoint to all students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Initial Vocational Education (EFZ/EBA Apprenticeships)

Quantifiable outcome

• Students achieve recognized Swiss Federal certifications (EFZ/EBA)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Various Training Companies (Lehrbetriebe)coreOthersPartnership with numerous companies in Canton Zurich providing practical apprenticeship training. Students receive hands-on training at these companies while attending theoretical classes at GBW. This dual education system is fundamental to Swiss vocational training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Berufsschule Aarau: Cantonal vocational school in Canton Aargau offering similar trade apprenticeships (Auto, Elektro, Bau, Holz, Garten) under the same Swiss dual education system. Comparable institutional scale and dual-program structure to GBW but serves a different canton.
• Allgemeine Gewerbeschule Basel (AGBS): Major cantonal vocational school in Canton Basel-Stadt delivering apprenticeship programs across multiple trades under the same Swiss dual education system. Comparable in scale and scope (multi-trade vocational offerings, basic + continuing education), but operates in a different Swiss language region and canton.
• Gewerbliche Berufsschule St. Gallen (GBS SG): Cantonal vocational school in Canton St. Gallen providing comparable trade apprenticeships (Auto, Elektro, Bau, Holz) under the same Swiss vocational framework but serving a different geography. Operates similar ZEM CES/eduQua quality certifications and Leistungsvereinbarungen-style funding model.

Broad incumbents

• SFIVET (Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training): Federal-level institution overseeing the quality, research, and teacher training for Switzerland's vocational education system. Not a direct competitor for apprentices but is the apex body that defines the regulatory and pedagogical framework within which GBW operates; relevant peer for understanding funding dynamics and policy direction.

Emerging players

• Careum Bildungszentrum: Continuing education provider in Canton Zurich offering health and social-care vocational programs with recognized federal certifications. Comparable to GBW's Hauswart/Hausmeister continuing education arm in structure (multi-semester courses preparing for federal exams) and cantonal regulatory environment.
• EB Zurich (Eidgenössische Berufsmaturitätsschule): Specialized federal school in Zurich providing the Berufsmaturität (vocational baccalaureate) track that complements apprenticeship programs like those at GBW. Comparable in regulatory and funding environment, and GBW's own BMS Preparation Courses (Freifach) feed into this complementary pathway.

Direct peers

• Baugewerbliche Berufsschule Zürich (BBZ): Another major cantonal vocational school in Canton Zurich delivering apprenticeship programs in construction-related trades (Bau, Holz, related fields). Operates under the same Leistungsvereinbarungen framework and SBFI/eduQua regulatory regime as GBW, serving overlapping apprenticeship candidates in adjacent trade areas (construction drafting, carpentry).
• Berufsbildungsschule Winterthur (BFS): Cantonal vocational school serving Winterthur and the eastern part of Canton Zurich, offering trade apprenticeships (Auto, Elektro, and other trades) under the same Swiss dual education system as GBW. Directly competes for training companies and apprenticeship candidates in the same canton.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gewerbliche-berufsschule-wetzikon
• Instagraminstagram.com/gbwetzikon

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Commercial Vocational School Wetzikon