SBB Kompetenz

What SBB Kompetenz does

SBB Kompetenz gGmbH is a Hamburg-based, non-profit vocational education and training provider and wholly owned subsidiary of Stiftung Berufliche Bildung (SBB Foundation for Professional Education). The organization serves unemployed adults, migrants, long-term unemployed individuals with complex barriers, and career changers in Hamburg, delivering AZAV-certified programs including vocational retraining (Umschulung in trades such as hairdressing and culinary), continuing education (Fortbildung), German language courses (A1-C2 with telc certification), coaching, and career orientation. It operates from 13 locations across Hamburg's districts, led by a headquarters in Hamm-Süd, and supports employer matching via a bi-weekly Job-Café.

The technical platform centers on the proprietary iCademy learning management system (hosted at icademy.reteach.io), which delivers hybrid and online content alongside in-person instruction at the district locations. Supporting infrastructure is conventional web tooling: Google Analytics 4, Cookiebot consent management, and Google Ads/AdSense for digital marketing. Sub-brands such as beautyacademy (hairdressing retraining) and KreaStart (creative orientation for long-term unemployed with multiple barriers) extend the portfolio.

Revenue is overwhelmingly government-funded: the majority of participants arrive via Bildungsgutschein and AVGS vouchers issued by Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit, with supplementary support from Hamburg's Weiterbildungsbonus program and a self-pay option with installment plans. As a gGmbH non-profit, SBB Kompetenz operates on a cost-recovery basis rather than a profit-maximization model, and revenue is not publicly disclosed. Sales motion is referral-led via employment agencies, augmented by owned digital channels (TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, XING, SBB Podcast), a public lecture series, printed brochures, and an in-person Kundencenter for walk-in and self-pay enrollment.

Name

SBB Kompetenz

Legal name

SBB Kompetenz gGmbH

Website

https://sbb-hamburg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SBB Kompetenz gGmbH is a Hamburg-based non-profit vocational training provider serving unemployed adults, migrants, and career changers with AZAV-certified retraining, language, coaching, and orientation programs, funded primarily through Bildungsgutschein and AVGS vouchers from Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

Keywords

• Vocational retraining
• Continuing education
• Language courses
• Career coaching
• Employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training (Bildungsgutschein): The primary revenue stream comes from government-funded vocational training programs. SBB Kompetenz delivers AZAV-certified training courses that are financed through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) issued by Jobcenter and Arbeitsagentur. This covers the majority of participant costs including course fees, travel, and childcare support. The organization is a certified training provider under the German AZAV quality standard for employment services.
2. Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (AVGS): Short-term coaching, orientation, and job placement services funded through AVGS vouchers issued by employment agencies. These cover activation and placement programs for unemployed individuals.
3. Self-Pay / Private Funding: Individuals without government funding can pay for courses privately. The organization offers installment payment options for self-paying participants.
4. Weiterbildungsbonus Hamburg: Additional funding support through the Hamburg Weiterbildungsbonus program, which provides subsidies for continuing education for Hamburg residents and workers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SBB Kompetenz gGmbH is a Hamburg-based vocational education provider that delivers AZAV-certified retraining (Umschulung), continuing education (Fortbildung), German language courses (A1–C2 with telc certification), career orientation, and individualized coaching services to unemployed adults, migrants, and career changers. Training is delivered in-person across 13 Hamburg locations and through the proprietary iCademy digital learning platform, and is primarily funded by Bildungsgutschein and AVGS vouchers issued by Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit.

Product overview

SBB Kompetenz is a Hamburg-based educational provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational retraining (Umschulungen), continuing education (Fortbildungen), language courses, coaching, and orientation services for adults seeking career change or professional development. The core offerings include hairdressing (beautyacademy/Friseur:in), kitchen operations (Fachkraft Küche/Koch), and cosmetics programs, supported by specialized services like the Betriebliche Einzelumschulung and KreaStart. The company operates through multiple Hamburg locations and provides digital tools including the iCademy learning platform and a searchable Kursfinder. Services are primarily funded through education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) and activation/placement vouchers (AVGS), with AZAV certification and telc examination center accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KreaStart: A creative coaching program for long-term unemployed people to discover new experiences and pathways back to work.
• beautyacademy
• iCademy

Products and services

• Umschulungen (Vocational Retraining) Vocational retraining programmes for adults seeking to enter or change careers, leading to a recognised professional qualification (Berufsabschluss) through Handwerkskammer or Handelskammer examination. AZAV-certified and funded via Bildungsgutschein.
• Fortbildungen (Continuing Education) Professional development courses designed to expand participants' existing expertise and improve labour-market attractiveness, AZAV-certified and financeable via education vouchers.
• Sprachkurse (Language Courses) German language courses at all CEFR levels (A1–C2), including integration courses and professional language courses (A1–C1), with telc certification exams available on site.
• Coaching Individual coaching for career reorientation, strengthening self-perception and supporting the job-search process, financed through Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (AVGS) vouchers.
• Orientierung (Career Orientation) Career orientation programmes including profiling, competency assessment, job-specific tasks, and preparation for subsequent retraining or further education pathways.
• Friseur:in (Hairdresser Retraining) Vocational retraining programme to become a licensed hairdresser, offered full-time (24 months) or part-time (36 months), concluding with the Handwerkskammer examination under § 45 para. 2 HwO.
• Fachkraft Küche (Kitchen Specialist) 16-month retraining programme for kitchen operations, preparing participants for the Handelskammer certification as Fachkraft Küche.
• Koch/Köchin (Chef) 24-month full-time retraining programme for becoming a licensed chef, with comprehensive culinary training and chamber-recognised certification.
• beautyacademy Specialised retraining programme for becoming a hairdresser/stylist, offered as a branded programme within SBB Kompetenz with hands-on training and Handwerkskammer certification.
• Betriebliche Einzelumschulung (Company-Based Individual Retraining) Two-component retraining support consisting of a preparation course (Ziel Umschulung) followed by accompaniment during company-based training, providing holistic support throughout the retraining process.
• KreaStart 52-week programme supporting long-term unemployed individuals with creative approaches (music, art, theatre, coaching, health activities) to develop new experiences, build confidence, and return to employment.
• Umschulungsbegleitung (Retraining Accompaniment) Support service for participants undergoing company-based retraining, offering remedial teaching, exam preparation, and professional and language skills development.
• Berufseinstieg Kosmetik (Career Entry Cosmetics) 12-week practical introduction to cosmetics and skincare careers, providing foundational knowledge and skills testing for entry into the field.
• Friseur Kompakt (Compact Hairdressing) 16-week continuing education course for refreshing hairdressing skills, with optional specialisations in colour, shape, or cutting techniques.
• Vorbereitung auf die Externenprüfung im Friseurhandwerk (Hairdressing External Exam Preparation) 24-week preparation course for the external examination under § 45 para. 2 HwO in the hairdressing trade, providing intensive exam training and language coaching.
• Job-Café Bi-weekly in-person networking event connecting job seekers with employers and placement specialists, held every other Wednesday from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Wasserkante room.
• Kursfinder (Course Finder) Searchable online database of all courses eligible for education or activation/placement vouchers, with filtering by course type, professional field, location and schedule.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants receive recognized Berufsabschluss through chamber examinations (Handwerkskammer or Handelskammer)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universität HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for the 'Wissenschaft und Praxis im Dialog' lecture series. University of Hamburg faculty members deliver lectures on migration, labor market integration, and educational topics. The partnership creates dialogue spaces between academia and vocational practice.
• Johannes Gutenberg-Universität MainzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for the lecture series. Prof. Dr. Marion Grein from Mainz contributes expertise in neurodidactics and German as a foreign language.
• Universiteit van Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for EU migration policy lectures. Prof. Dr. Jeroen Doomernik contributes expertise on refugee policy and European asylum systems.
• Aberystwyth University WalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for 'Creating Safer Space' lecture. Prof. Bliesemann de Guevara presents research on civilian protection without weapons and community-based security approaches.
• Helmuth Schmidt Universität HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for gender and society lectures. Prof. Dr. Katharina Liebsch contributes expertise in microsociology.
• Weiterbildung Hamburg e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBB Kompetenz is a member of the Weiterbildung Hamburg association, which ensures quality standards are maintained in Hamburg's continuing education sector. The association provides participant protection (Teilnehmer:innenschutz) and quality assurance.
• Fakultät für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften der Universität HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for financial markets lecture. Prof. Dr. Rolf von Lüde contributes expertise on financial markets and their societal impact.
• Deutsche BahnminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a cooperation partner (Kooperationspartner:innen). Nature of cooperation not specified in detail.
• TEDiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a cooperation partner (Kooperationspartner:innen). Nature of cooperation not specified in detail.
• Home InsteadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a cooperation partner (Kooperationspartner:innen). Nature of cooperation not specified in detail.
• PReLog PersonalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a cooperation partner (Kooperationspartner:innen). Nature of cooperation not specified in detail.
• beautyacademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized partnership for hairdressing retraining programs. Operates as a branded program within SBB Kompetenz's vocational training offerings.
• KreaStartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreative orientation program operating as a specialized division of SBB Kompetenz. Has its own website (kreastart.de) and Instagram presence. Focuses on creative approaches to reintegration for long-term unemployed.
• telc gGmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationSBB Kompetenz is a certified telc examination center for German language proficiency testing. Offers examinations for levels A1-C2 and the 'Leben in Deutschland' test.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: The education arm of TÜV Rheinland provides AZAV-certified vocational training, language courses, and continuing education across Germany, competing for the same Jobcenter-funded participants and offering similar chamber-recognized certifications.
• DEKRA Akademie: A larger, established commercial education and training arm of DEKRA offering AZAV-certified retraining, language integration, and continuing-education courses for unemployed individuals through Jobcenter-funded vouchers — operates at national scale where SBB is Hamburg-concentrated.

Regional players

• VHS Hamburg (Volkshochschule): Hamburg's municipal adult education center delivers integration and German language courses (A1-C2) and general continuing-education programs in the same city, partially overlapping SBB's language and orientation services funded through similar public channels.
• IHK Bildungszentrum Hamburg: The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce's training arm delivers Handelskammer-certified vocational programs and continuing education in the same Hamburg market, including courses that lead to the same chamber-recognized Abschluss qualifications referenced in SBB's offerings.
• Handwerkskammer Hamburg Bildungszentrum: Hamburg's trades chamber administers Handwerkskammer-certified retraining (e.g., Friseur:in) and external examination preparation — directly overlapping the certifications SBB Kompetenz prepares students for and the geographic market SBB serves.

Direct peers

• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: Large adult-education non-profit offering AVGS coaching, integration courses, language training, and certified retraining programs across Germany — overlapping directly with SBB's coaching, language, and re-employment service mix.
• bfw Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft: National vocational education provider running retraining and continuing-education courses funded by Agentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter, with a strong footprint in trade and commercial occupations directly comparable to SBB's Umschulung portfolio.
• BBQ Bildungswerk e.V. A German non-profit vocational training provider delivering AZAV-certified Umschulungen, Fortbildungen, and activation/coaching programs primarily funded through Bildungsgutschein and AVGS — the same government-voucher revenue model that SBB Kompetenz operates under.
• SBH Südost Bildungsgesellschaft mbH: A regional Bildungsgesellschaft delivering AZAV-certified retraining and employment activation programs funded by German employment agencies — structurally a near-identical business model to SBB Kompetenz in its target regions.

Emerging players

• pluss Werkstatt GmbH (Pluss): A German HR services and qualification provider delivering AZAV-funded activation, coaching, and retraining services to Jobcenter-referred participants — a direct adjacent competitor overlapping SBB's coaching and reintegration service line.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sbb-kompetenz
• Instagraminstagram.com/sbbkompetenz
• TikToktiktok.com/@sbb_kompetenz
• Facebookfacebook.com/SBB.Kompetenz

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 SBB Kompetenz