What VHS-Bildungswerk does

VHS-Bildungswerk GmbH is a non-profit educational services provider headquartered in Magdeburg, Germany, operating as a wholly-owned entity within the DAA-Stiftung Bildung und Beruf (DAA-Gruppe) foundation. Its core function is the delivery of vocational training, professional certification, continuing education, activation/placement services, nursing education, and child and youth welfare across three eastern German states (Sachsen-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Thüringen) via 25 physical locations and a 500+ employee workforce. Primary customer segments are job seekers receiving government support via Bildungsgutschein, companies in manufacturing/logistics/industrial sectors seeking certified equipment operators, healthcare employers and prospective nursing students, and families/children requiring social welfare and residential care services.

The core product stack comprises AZAV-certified vocational training programs (forklift and crane operator certification, warehouse logistics), continuing education and qualification programs, activation and placement coaching under §16k SGB II and AVGS (Aktivierung und Vermittlungsgutschein), two institutes for nursing professional education (Gotha and Leinefelde), and a portfolio of child and youth welfare facilities (residential groups, school social work, family counseling, daycare). The technology layer includes a self-service e-learning platform with online courses for occupational safety, fire protection, forklift recertification (DGUV V68), bridge crane annual training (DGUV V52), and child welfare; courses are priced publicly from €15–€29.50 per module and include automatic compliance documentation. Practical certifications and the externally regulated curriculum standards (DGUV, ASR A2.2, AZAV) require in-person attendance at the physical centers.

The business model combines four revenue streams: direct course fees (per-course unit pricing), government-funded programs reimbursed via Bildungsgutschein and QCG (Qualifizierungschancengesetz) for AZAV-certified retraining, customized corporate training (Firmenschulungen), and contracted child and youth welfare services billed to municipal youth welfare offices (Jugendamt) under SGB VIII. Government-funded programs represent the majority of activity per the materials ("most courses and programs are 100% eligible for government funding"). Marketing combines a website course catalog with content/SEO, an active presence on LinkedIn, Xing, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and direct referral relationships through Agentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter, and corporate clients. Certifications underpinning eligibility include AZAV (GUTcert/DAkkS), ISO 9001:2015, and recognized gemeinnütziger Bildungsdienstleister status.

Name

VHS-Bildungswerk

Legal name

VHS-Bildungswerk GmbH

Website

https://bildungswerk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

VHS-Bildungswerk is a German non-profit educational services provider delivering AZAV-certified vocational training, retraining, nursing education, and child and youth welfare across 25 locations in Sachsen-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Thüringen, primarily serving job seekers funded via Bildungsgutschein and regional employers needing certified forklift, crane, and safety instruction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Continuing Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Occupational safety courses
• Continuing education Germany
• Youth welfare services
• Nursing vocational education

Headquarters

HQ city

Magdeburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Direct course fees charged to individuals for professional certification courses. Online courses priced from €15-29.50. In-person training courses (e.g., bridge crane training at €200).
2. Government-Funded Programs: Revenue from AZAV-certified programs funded through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) from Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter. Also includes programs under Qualifizierungschancengesetz (QCG) and §16k SGB II coaching services.
3. Corporate Training: Customized company training programs (Firmenschulungen) for businesses needing employee qualification in occupational safety, equipment operation, and professional development.
4. Child and Youth Welfare Services: Revenue from childcare and youth welfare facilities operating across multiple locations, including residential groups, counseling services, and family support programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

VHS-Bildungswerk is a non-profit educational services company that delivers vocational training, retraining, continuing education, and professional certifications through both in-person training centers and online courses. Core offerings include forklift and bridge crane operator certifications, occupational safety training (fire safety, workplace safety, annual DGUV briefings), activation and placement services under §16k SGB II, nursing education, and child and youth welfare services. Most programs are AZAV-certified and fully fundable via education vouchers from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter.

Product overview

VHS-Bildungswerk is a nonprofit educational services company operating as a multi-location training provider with a diversified portfolio of educational offerings. The core offerings include vocational training programs (Ausbildung & Umschulung) such as forklift operator certification and crane operator training, continuing education courses (Weiterbildung & Qualifizierungen), and online courses (Online-Kurse) delivered through a digital learning platform. Supporting services include activation and placement support (Aktivierung & Vermittlung), child and youth welfare facilities (Kinder- und Jugendhilfe), and nursing education programs (Pflegeausbildung). The company operates across 25 locations in Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Thuringia, and offers government-funded training programs eligible for education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) through its AZAV-certified status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DAA Stiftung: Parent foundation - DAA-Stiftung Bildung und Beruf (DAA-Gruppe)

Products and services

• Online Courses (Online-Kurse) Flexible e-learning courses delivered online covering workplace safety, fire protection, forklift operation, and bridge crane safety for individuals and organizations.
• Bridge Crane Training (Brückenkranausbildung) One-day qualification program for bridge and portal crane operation in Gotha, with theoretical and practical instruction per DGUV 309-003, ending with a competency certificate.
• Annual Forklift Recertification (Jährliche Unterweisung für Gabelstapler) Annual online mandatory safety briefing for forklift operators satisfying DGUV Vorschrift 68 requirements with legally compliant documentation.
• Annual Bridge Crane Recertification (Jährliche Unterweisung Brückenkran) Annual mandatory online safety training for bridge crane operators covering DGUV Vorschrift 52 with revision-secure documentation.
• Vocational Training and Retraining (Ausbildung & Umschulung) Professional vocational education programs covering forklift operator certification, crane operator certification, and warehouse logistics qualifications, with options for recognized certifications.
• Continuing Education and Qualification (Weiterbildung & Qualifizierungen) Professional development courses and qualification programs for career advancement, including certified programs and state-subsidized training options.
• Activation and Placement Services (Aktivierung & Vermittlung) Job placement support services, including coaching funded under §16k SGB II, AVGS activation and placement vouchers, and integration assistance programs.
• Child and Youth Welfare Services (Kinder- und Jugendhilfe) Child and youth welfare services including social group work, residential groups, crisis intervention, family counseling, youth counseling, and school social work across multiple facilities.
• Nursing Education (Pflegeausbildung) Vocational training programs for nursing professions, including preparation courses for nursing care exams and professional development for nursing staff.
• Fire Safety Training (Brandschutzunterweisung) Online fire safety instruction courses compliant with ASR A2.2 standards for workplace safety compliance.
• Workplace Safety Training - Office (Arbeitsschutz im Büro) Online office workplace safety training covering ergonomic setup, hazard prevention, and legal compliance requirements for office environments.
• Child Welfare in Kita (Kindeswohl im Blick) Online course for daycare professionals covering child welfare protection, children's rights, and professional responsibilities in childcare settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most courses and programs are 100% eligible for government funding via Bildungsgutschein

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DAA Stiftung (Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie Stiftung)coreOthersParent organization and foundation. VHS-Bildungswerk is part of the DAA Group (DAA-Gruppe), which provides a whistle-blower reporting system (Meldestelle) for compliance and anti-discrimination purposes. The organization operates under the umbrella of this educational foundation.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner providing education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) to unemployed and job-seeking individuals who are referred to VHS-Bildungswerk's AZAV-certified programs for vocational training and retraining.
• Jobcenter (Employment Centers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional employment centers that provide funding for training programs through Bildungsgutschein and support coaching services under §16k SGB II for Bürgergeld recipients.
• Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ)minorOthersFederal Ministry that supports family, youth, and social welfare programs. VHS-Bildungswerk operates child and youth welfare facilities alongside its training programs.
• Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)minorOthersFederal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy supporting economic development and vocational training initiatives.
• Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)minorOthersFederal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs overseeing labor market policies and training programs that VHS-Bildungswerk participates in.
• Thüringer Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit, Familie und Frauen (MSGAF)minorOthersThuringia State Ministry supporting social welfare and family services in the region where VHS-Bildungswerk operates.
• Landesamt für Arbeitsvermittlung Brandenburg (BBB / Bildungsverband)minorOthersBrandenburg State employment and education agency providing regional support and funding for training initiatives.
• Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Energie, Klimaschutz und Umwelt Brandenburg (MWAEK)minorOthersBrandenburg State Ministry supporting environmental and energy-related training programs in the region.
• Regio Aktiv Sachsen-AnhaltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional economic development initiative in Saxony-Anhalt supporting local businesses and training providers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Euro-Schulen (ESO Education Group): ESO operates vocational schools, language training, and continuing education programs across Germany, including government-funded retraining. Comparable to VHS-Bildungswerk in adult continuing education and AZAV-funded reskilling.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA's training division offers occupational safety, forklift, and crane operator certification programs across Germany. Directly comparable to VHS-Bildungswerk in core vocational safety training and corporate upskilling offerings, though at broader national scale.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland's training arm provides certified professional development, occupational safety courses, and technical qualifications across Germany. Directly competes with VHS-Bildungswerk in workplace safety certifications and corporate compliance training.
• Kolping Bildungswerk: Kolping Bildungswerk delivers vocational training, continuing education, and youth welfare services across Germany through a non-profit association structure. Closely comparable to VHS-Bildungswerk's combination of education and social services under a non-profit umbrella.
• bfw (Berufsförderungswerk): bfw provides vocational rehabilitation and retraining services across Germany, with strong overlap in AZAV-certified reskilling programs. Comparable mission and funding structure, particularly in serving unemployed individuals transitioning back to work.
• Grone Bildungszentrum: Grone operates vocational training, retraining, and activation/placement services across Germany with AZAV certification. Directly comparable business model targeting job seekers and corporate training clients.
• bfz (Berufliche Fortbildungszentren der Bayerischen Wirtschaft): Part of the bbw-Gruppe, bfz delivers AZAV-certified vocational retraining, continuing education, and activation/placement services across Germany. Highly comparable business model, funding mix, and target customer base to VHS-Bildungswerk.
• BBQ Bildungszentrum: BBQ is a vocational training and continuing education provider with AZAV certification and Bildungsgutschein acceptance. Overlaps directly with VHS-Bildungswerk in occupational retraining and corporate qualification services.

Broad incumbents

• IHK Bildungszentren: Chambers of Industry and Commerce operate training centers delivering vocational qualifications, exam preparation, and continuing education. Overlaps with VHS-Bildungswerk's certification offerings but is part of a broader public-chamber mandate and infrastructure.
• DAA-Stiftung Bildung und Beruf: Parent foundation of VHS-Bildungswerk and broader DAA-Gruppe network, operating vocational training and continuing education nationally. Provides group-level context and shared infrastructure, but operates at broader scale across multiple subsidiaries.

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxNNmJbTwiB9OLY9200SQ1w
• Facebookfacebook.com/vhs.bildungswerk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vhs-bildungswerk-gmbh/mycompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/vhs.bildungswerk

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 VHS-Bildungswerk