OdA Igba

What OdA Igba does

OdA Igba (Organisation der Arbeitswelt für igba – Interessensgemeinschaft für die Berufe im Bad und auf der Eisbahn) is a Swiss non-profit association (Verein), founded in 1983 under the governance of SBV and IVSch and registered in the Commercial Register under CHE-100.503.425, headquartered in Zurich with 11-50 staff. Its functional role is to serve as the industry organization responsible for vocational education, training, and certification of professionals working in public and private swimming pools and ice rinks in German-speaking Switzerland, with a regulatory mandate from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) to issue the Fachbewilligung Badewasserdesinfektion and a Federal Council declaration making its Berufsbildungsfonds (BBF) generally binding since 1 January 2020. The core products are standardized curricula and examinations — including BADEKU, BAKU, and EIKU preparatory courses, the Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in (BiP), the Eidg. Fachausweis Badmeister:in, and the newer Schwerpunkt Sportanlagen apprenticeship and Berufsprüfung Fachspezialist Sportanlagen — delivered through classroom instruction and administered via the Welante course management platform.

The business model combines three revenue streams: participant-paid course fees (ranging from CHF 180 for short modules to CHF 13,120 for full Eidg. Fachausweis / Berufsprüfung tracks), mandatory BBF contributions (CHF 300-600 per facility per year) levied on all German-speaking Swiss pool and ice-rink operators under the allgemeinverbindlich declaration, and ancillary professional services such as facility audits and expert assessments. Customers are fragmented across municipal utilities, private pool and ice-rink operators, sports clubs, and individual trainees, with go-to-market routed through a network of 10 trustee associations representing employers, employees, and authorities. Operational technology is limited to standard SaaS — chiefly Welante for course administration, registration, billing, and EduQua documentation — with no disclosed AI, proprietary data assets, or differentiated technical IP; competitive defensibility rests on regulatory mandate, standardized curricula, and industry positioning rather than on technology.

Name

OdA Igba

Legal name

OdA igba

Website

https://igba.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OdA Igba is a Swiss non-profit association (Verein) mandated to deliver vocational training and certification for pool and ice-rink facility workers in German-speaking Switzerland, funded by course fees, BBF levies, and professional services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Referee, Umpire & Coach Education/Certification Academies (MPAKAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Occupational Health & Safety (EHS) Programs & Training (OSHA-style) (EDAEAKAI)

Keywords

• Vocational training courses
• Pool facility certification
• Ice rink training
• Water disinfection certification
• Swimming pool education

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Course fees: Primary revenue from course fees charged to participants. Fees vary by course (e.g., BAKU CHF 5,600 standard, Expert igba Grundkurs CHF 1,960, EIKU CHF 5,600 standard, Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in Variante A CHF 950, Fachbewilligung Grundkurs CHF 1,680, BEK CHF 720, Expert Wiederholungskurs CHF 770, Berufsprüfung CHF 2,400). BBF-rabattberechtigte courses receive a 25% reduction funded via the Berufsbildungsfonds.
2. Berufsbildungsfonds (BBF) contributions: Annual mandatory contributions from pool and ice-rink operators in German-speaking Switzerland: CHF 600/year per indoor pool site, CHF 300/year per outdoor/natural pool, CHF 400/year per artificial ice rink. These fund the vocational training system.
3. Professional services and administrative mandates: The association may provide consulting mandates and administrative services for other organizations for compensation, as per its statutes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

OdA Igba is the official educational organization for sports facilities in German-speaking Switzerland, delivering standardized vocational training, professional certification, and continuing education for staff at indoor/outdoor pools, natural swimming facilities, and artificial ice rinks. Its portfolio spans entry-level courses (BEK, EEK), comprehensive attendant training (BAKU, EIKU), the Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in (BiP) lifeguard certification, Expert igba instructor training, the legally mandated Badewasserdesinfektion Fachbewilligung, and the federal Berufsprüfung leading to the eidgenössischer Fachausweis.

Product overview

OdA igba is a training and certification organization for sports facilities, offering a modular curriculum for pool and ice rink operations. The portfolio includes: Badangestellten-Einstiegskurs BEK (entry course), Badangestelltenkurs BAKU (comprehensive pool attendant training), Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in with variants (pool lifeguard certification with modules for swimming technique, lake rescue, river rescue, and renewal), Expert igba (instructor training), Fachbewilligung Badewasserdesinfektion (water disinfection certification with basic course and continuing education), Eisangestelltenkurs EIKU (ice rink attendant training), and Berufsprüfung (federal professional examination). Most courses are BBF-rabattberechtigt, offering 25% reduction through the Berufsbildungsfonds. The organization also offers Berufsbildungsfonds contributions to support employers in the German-speaking Swiss pool and ice rink industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Badangestellten-Einstiegskurs BEK Two-day introductory course for new employees and career changers in the pool industry, covering daily business operations, hygiene, and river/lake rescue basics.
• Badangestelltenkurs BAKU Comprehensive four-week course for experienced pool attendants covering safety, communication, hygiene, building technology, water treatment, and group work. BBF-rabattberechtigt (25% reduction funded through Berufsbildungsfonds).
• Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in (BiP) Grundkurs Swiss-wide branch certification for pool lifeguards covering pool supervision, water rescue, BLS-AED, and extended first aid. Available in Variant A (3 days) and Variant B (2 days) for those with prior SLRG certification.
• Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in – Modul Seerettung Half-day module for lake rescue competency, teaching specific conditions in lake baths and practical rescue techniques with board and underwater search.
• Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in – Modul Flussrettung Half-day module for river rescue competency, covering specific conditions in river baths and practical rescue techniques with throw bag and rescue line.
• Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in – Schwimmtechnik Swimming technique optimization course preparing participants for practical exams including 500m swimming under 13 minutes, 20m diving, 3-5m depth diving, performance course, and plate diving.
• Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in – Wiederholungskurs One-day renewal course for maintaining Brevet validity, covering pool supervision, patient stabilization, and rescue measures. Valid for 2 years from exam date.
• Expert igba – Grundkurs Five-day instructor training course qualifying participants to independently organize and teach Brevet courses. Covers pedagogical expertise, lesson planning, and practical rescue instruction.
• Expert igba – Wiederholungskurs Two-day renewal course for Expert igba certification, covering methodological/didactic competencies and professional skills in BiP subjects. Extends certification by 2 years.
• Fachbewilligung Badewasserdesinfektion – Grundkurs Four-day course meeting BAG requirements for water disinfection certification in public pools, covering legal basics, toxicology, occupational safety, and water treatment technology. Leads to BAG-issued Fachbewilligung.
• Fachbewilligung Badewasserdesinfektion – Weiterbildung One-day continuing education for water disinfection certificate holders, refreshing knowledge on water treatment and chemical handling according to current TBDV and SIA 385/9 requirements.
• Eisangestelltenkurs EIKU Four-week ice rink attendant course providing theoretical knowledge and practical skills for ice facility operations, leading to the GSK-recognized Brevet EIKU. BBF-rabattberechtigt (25% reduction).
• Eisangestellten-Einstiegskurs EEK Entry-level introductory course for new employees and career changers in the ice rink industry.
• Fachperson Badeanlagen mit eidg. Fachausweis – Vorkurs zur Berufsprüfung Eight-week preparatory course for the federal professional examination, covering safety, leadership, hygiene, building technology, water treatment, and operational management. 50% federal subsidy available (up to CHF 6,560).
• Berufsprüfung Fachmann/Fachfrau Badeanlagen

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% federal subsidy on Berufsprüfung Vorkurs costs (up to CHF 6,560) for all participants regardless of exam outcome
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Welante GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2020Welante GmbH, based in Solothurn, Switzerland, provides the welante course administration software used by OdA Igba for address management, reservation management, and course administration. OdA Igba captures participant data through this platform via registration forms, email, and phone.
• cyon GmbHcoreTechnology or Integrationcyon GmbH (Brunngässlein 12, 4052 Basel) provides web hosting and technical platform operation for the OdA Igba website (igba.ch). Server infrastructure is located in Switzerland. Processing occurs under OdA Igba's instructions within a data processing agreement under Swiss data protection law.
• dctrl — studio for creative technologyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnerdctrl (Konradstrasse 17, 8005 Zürich) is responsible for the design and code of the OdA Igba website. OdA Igba credits dctrl in its impressum.
• VHF – Verband Hallen- und FreibädercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVHF (employer association of indoor and outdoor pools) is a founding trustee of OdA Igba. It holds two guaranteed Vorstand (board) seats and is a co-developer of the Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in. VHF recommends the Brevet to its member facilities.
• GSK – Gesellschaft Schweizerischer KunsteisbahnencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSK (employer association of artificial ice rinks) is a founding trustee of OdA Igba and holds one guaranteed Vorstand seat. It co-developed the EIKU ice facility qualification and has been involved in the ice sports training concept since 2012.
• SBV – Schweizerischer Badmeister-VerbandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBV (Swiss swimming pool master association) is a founding member and trustee of OdA Igba. It holds one guaranteed Vorstand seat. SBV co-developed the Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in and originated the igba association in 1983.
• ARMB – Association Romande des Maîtres de BainscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARMB (French-speaking Swiss swimming pool master association) is a trustee of OdA Igba with one guaranteed Vorstand seat. ARMB participates in curriculum development for pool qualifications across language regions.
• ASSA-ASSS – Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schweizer SportämtercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSA-ASSS (working community of Swiss sports offices) is a trustee of OdA Igba and holds one guaranteed Vorstand seat. It represents municipal sports authorities who operate many public pool and sports facilities.
• APAR&T – Association des patinoires artificielles romandes et tessinoisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAR&T (association of artificial ice rinks in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland) was admitted to OdA Igba's trusteeship in October 2020. Plans include developing a comprehensive Swiss-wide ice facility training program.
• SFB – Schweizerischer Fachverband BetriebsunterhaltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFB (Swiss specialist association for facility management) collaborates with OdA Igba to deliver the new Schwerpunkt Sportanlagen apprenticeship (Fachmann/Fachfrau Betriebsunterhalt EFZ) launched in August 2023.
• SVG – Schweizerische Vereinigung für Gesundheitsschutz und UmwelttechnikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVG (Swiss association for health protection and environmental technology) is a trustee of OdA Igba with one Vorstand seat. SVG contributes expertise in water hygiene and disinfection standards.
• Aqua SuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAqua Suisse is a trustee association of OdA Igba, contributing expertise in pool and water treatment standards.
• Swim SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwim Sports is a trustee association of OdA Igba, contributing expertise in swimming sports and aquatic education.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• SBV Schweizerischer Badmeister-Verband: SBV is the Swiss Swimming Pool Master Association, the founding organization of OdA Igba in 1983, holding one guaranteed board seat and originating the igba association. It is a deep ecosystem partner representing pool professionals and co-developer of the Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in curriculum.
• VHF Verband Hallen- und Freibäder: VHF is the employer association of indoor and outdoor pools in Switzerland, a founding trustee of OdA Igba holding two guaranteed board seats. It is an ecosystem partner rather than competitor, jointly developing the Brevet Schweizer Badmeister:in and recommending it to member facilities, making it an essential adjacent organization for understanding the Swiss pool industry's training demand.
• Aqua Suisse: Aqua Suisse is the Swiss water treatment and pool technology association, a trustee of OdA Igba contributing expertise in pool and water treatment standards. It is an adjacent enabling organization that shapes the regulatory and technical standards informing OdA Igba's Badewasserdesinfektion and pool operations curriculum.
• GSK Gesellschaft Schweizerischer Kunsteisbahnen: GSK is the employer association of artificial ice rinks in Switzerland, a founding trustee of OdA Igba holding one guaranteed board seat and co-developing the EIKU qualification since 2012. As the principal counterpart representing ice rink operators, it is an indispensable ecosystem partner shaping EIKU curriculum and ice-rink training demand.

Broad incumbents

• J+S Jugend und Sport: J+S is the federal Swiss youth sports program offering coach and leader education across many sports disciplines. It is broadly comparable as a federal-state-sponsored sports education incumbent with overlapping curriculum domains (lifeguarding, sports instruction) but operates at a national scale across all sports, not specializing in facility operations like OdA Igba.
• Swiss Olympic: Swiss Olympic is the umbrella organization for Swiss national sports federations, providing broader sports education and federation coordination. It overlaps with OdA Igba on the federation-driven education mandate and industry coordination but operates at a much wider national scope across all Olympic sports.

Direct peers

• SLRG Schweizerische Lebensrettungs-Gesellschaft: The Swiss Lifesaving Society is the most direct peer, providing complementary lifeguard and aquatic rescue certification in Switzerland. SLRG Plus Pool certification is even required as a prerequisite for OdA Igba's BiP Variant B, confirming the closely intertwined offering and target customer base across the Swiss pool training market.
• Swiss Swimming: Swiss Swimming is the national federation governing aquatic sports in Switzerland and is a trustee of OdA Igba. It is directly comparable in its focus on the Swiss aquatic ecosystem, instructor certification (Swim Sports), and federation-led education mandate, overlapping in target customers and curriculum domain.
• Swiss Snowsports: Swiss Snowsports operates as a comparable industry-mandate OdA structure for ski and snowboard instructor education in Switzerland, mirroring OdA Igba's role for sports facility workers. It is directly comparable in its federation-driven vocational education model, certification authority, and revenue mix of course fees plus employer contributions.
• SFB Schweizerischer Fachverband Betriebsunterhalt: SFB is the apprenticeship-partner federation for the Betriebsunterhalt EFZ program, including the new Schwerpunkt Sportanlagen launched with OdA Igba in August 2023. SFB operates in the same vocational education category and shares the federally recognized training mandate model, making it a directly comparable federation-driven training organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 OdA Igba