QualiTec

What QualiTec does

QualiTec GmbH der Handwerkskammer Aachen is a non-profit limited liability company (gemeinnützige GmbH) established in 2001 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Handwerkskammer Aachen, the regional public-law chamber representing skilled crafts and trades in the Aachen region of Germany. The organization specializes in commercial-technical vocational training and continuing education, delivering programs under the German dual system model that combines classroom theory with practical workplace experience. Its core product portfolio includes HWK/IHK-certified retraining (Umschulung) for adults without professional qualifications, continuing education (Fort- und Weiterbildung) leading to HWK certifications, career orientation and practical assessment programs (Berufsorientierung), supported apprenticeship services (Begleitende Ausbildung), and corporate training (Firmenschulungen). Additional offerings include the KAoA-BOP state-funded career orientation program for school students and integration services such as the Werkzeugkoffer Deutsch language pilot for employed refugees.

The business model is predominantly government-funded. Revenue flows primarily through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) issued by the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and Jobcenter to retrain unemployed and at-risk individuals, supplemented by customized corporate training contracts and international project grants from bodies such as SEQUA, the European Union (ECCP program), and BMBF. Key commissioning counterparties include Agentur für Arbeit Aachen-Düren, Jobcenter Aachen, StädteRegion Aachen, and the Ministry for Work, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia (MAGS NRW). The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified as a recognized Bildungssträger and delivers programs primarily through its Bildungszentrum BGE Aachen training center using the ILIAS learning management system, with supplementary international training projects spanning Chile, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Vietnam, as well as operational responsibility for the Welcome Center KMU Rheinisches Revier through 2028.

Operationally, QualiTec is governed by a supervisory board chaired by Marco Herwartz (President of Handwerkskammer Aachen) and managed by two Geschäftsführer: Wilhelm Grafen (Deputy CEO of the parent chamber) and Georg Stoffels (CEO of the parent chamber). Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range with one source indicating approximately 60 employees. Geographic operations are anchored in Aachen, with delivery extending through Handwerkskammer Bildungszentren, employer-site corporate training, and overseas project deployments. As a non-profit under the German chamber structure, the entity has no venture capital or institutional equity ownership; capitalization derives from public funding flows and the parent chamber's institutional backing.

Name

QualiTec

Legal name

QualiTec GmbH der Handwerkskammer Aachen

Website

https://qualitec-aachen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QualiTec GmbH is a non-profit vocational training subsidiary of the Handwerkskammer Aachen, delivering HWK/IHK-certified retraining, continuing education, and integration programs in commercial-technical trades, primarily funded through German government Bildungsgutschein and public-sector grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Continuing Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Experiential Learning & Internships/Co-ops (EDALABAG), Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA), International Student Employment & Practical Training Support (CPT/OPT/AT, work authorization guidance) (EDALANAF)

Keywords

• Vocational retraining services
• Commercial-technical continuing education
• HWK IHK certified training
• Corporate workforce training
• International dual vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training: Training programs funded through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) from the Agentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter, and other public employment services. Core funding comes from public sources for retraining unemployed and at-risk individuals.
2. Corporate/Employer Training: Customized training programs for companies (Firmenschulungen) delivered on a fee-for-service basis. Services include workforce development and skills training for business clients.
3. International Project Funding: International development projects funded by organizations such as SEQUA, EU (ECCP program), BMBF, and bilateral development cooperation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

QualiTec GmbH der Handwerkskammer Aachen is a non-profit vocational training provider delivering commercial-technical Ausbildung, Umschulung, Fortbildung, Berufsorientierung, and integration programs that lead to recognized HWK/IHK qualifications. Its portfolio is built for unemployed adults, at-risk youth, refugees, regional SMEs seeking workforce training, and international partners seeking to adapt the German dual training model. Revenue is generated through government-funded Bildungsgutschein referrals, fee-for-service corporate training (Firmenschulungen), and commissioned international development projects.

Product overview

QualiTec GmbH is a non-profit educational services subsidiary offering a portfolio of interconnected vocational training and career integration programs. The core offerings include HWK/IHK-certified retraining and continuing education programs, career orientation services, and apprenticeship support. Integration services encompass the Welcome Center for international skilled workers (WCR) and the Werkzeugkoffer Deutsch language program. The company also provides corporate training and operates international projects. The various programs share the common goal of labor market integration for unemployed individuals, at-risk youth, and refugees, often coordinated through the ILIAS learning platform and Microsoft Teams for delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Umschulung mit Ausbildungsabschluss HWK/IHK (Vocational Retraining with HWK/IHK Qualification) Vocational retraining programs leading to recognized HWK (Handwerkskammer) or IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) professional qualifications, targeting unemployed adults without a professional degree but with intermediate secondary education.
• Fort- und Weiterbildung mit HWK-Abschluss (Continuing Education with HWK Qualification) Continuing education programs that update employed professionals' technical skills to current industry standards, resulting in HWK-certified qualifications.
• Berufsorientierung und praktische Erprobungen (Career Orientation and Practical Trials) Career orientation and practical skills assessment programs helping individuals discover talents, develop abilities, and establish clear career paths.
• Unterstützung bei der Ausbildung / Begleitende Ausbildung (Supported Apprenticeship Programs) Supported apprenticeship programs providing targeted assistance from career orientation and apprenticeship search through exam preparation and daily support for youth.
• Welcome Center KMU – Rheinisches Revier (WCR) Integration Services Integration services including the Welcome Center for SMEs in the Rhenish Revier, helping businesses recruit and integrate international skilled workers, funded by NRW Ministry and European Just Transition Fund through 2028.
• Werkzeugkoffer Deutsch (Workplace German Language Integration Program) Pilot language integration project offering 100 instructional units over 20 weeks for refugees already employed in companies, covering workplace vocabulary, intercultural communication, and customer interaction skills.
• Firmenschulungen (Customized Corporate Training) Customized corporate training programs delivered with extensive experience, including international operations, tailored to specific company requirements.
• Internationale Projekte (International Training and Consulting Projects) International training and consulting projects providing vocational education and trainer qualification worldwide, with ongoing partnerships in Trinidad & Tobago, Malaysia, and Taiwan, and past projects in Chile, India, Lebanon, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss – KAoA-BOP (State-Funded Career Orientation Program) State-funded career orientation program for schools (Landesinitiative) providing potential analyses and certificate handovers for 8th-grade students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Integration of refugees into training and employment through programs like Werkzeugkoffer Deutsch and Job-Turbo initiatives
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Handwerkskammer AachencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Parent organization and sole shareholder of QualiTec GmbH. Provides institutional framework, recognition authority for HWK qualifications, and access to extensive network of member businesses across the Aachen region.
• SEQUA gGmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of German business; collaborated on Chile project (1999-2007) to strengthen small and medium enterprises in northern Chile through improved consulting and vocational training offerings.
• Solarinstitut Jülich (Fachhochschule Aachen)majorTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with QualiTec on India project (2003-2006) funded by EU ECCP program to develop practice-oriented training programs in solar technology.
• ZAWM Eupen (Zentrum für Aus- und Weiterbildung des Mittelstandes)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with QualiTec on India project for development of solar technology training programs; based in Belgium.
• TERI (The Energy Resources Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian partner in Bangalore collaboration focused on renewable energy and solar technology training development.
• GOPA InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned QualiTec to train vocational school teachers from Beirut in automotive mechatronics didactics and methodology.
• RENAC (Renewables Academy AG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned QualiTec to deliver solar technology training for Selangor Human Resource Development Center in Malaysia.
• ICON-INSTITUTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with QualiTec on Malaysia II project and Trinidad & Tobago project; engaged QualiTec to develop mechatronics training programs.
• Federation of Malaysian Skills Development CentersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned QualiTec for Malaysia III and IV projects including Train-the-Trainer programs in mechatronics and precision engineering.
• DEinternational Taiwan Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman Trade Office Taipei service unit commissioned QualiTec to evaluate Central Vocational Training Center in Taiwan.
• Rajamangala University of Technology ThanyaburiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner18 university lecturers from Thailand completed 10-week mechatronics training program at BGE Aachen.
• GENEV (German Education Network for Employability in Vietnam)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of German training providers including QualiTec developed and tested dual vocational training implementation in Vietnam (2009-2012) supported by BMBF.
• Welcome Center KMU Rheinisches Revier (WCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualiTec serves as operational partner in WCR initiative funded by MAGS NRW and European Just Transition Fund until 2028, helping SMEs recruit and integrate international skilled workers.
• Cámara de Comercio, Industria, Servicios y Turismo de IquiquemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry, trade, services and tourism chamber in Iquique, Chile partnered with QualiTec from 1999-2007 to strengthen regional SMEs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland Akademie provides certified vocational and continuing education in technical and commercial trades, including ISO-aligned quality training and qualification programs. Like QualiTec, it serves both publicly voucher-funded learners and corporate clients, and competes for the same skilled-trades retraining demand in the German market.
• bfz Berufliche Fortbildungszentren: bfz is one of Germany's largest networks of vocational retraining and continuing-education centers, with strong focus on publicly funded commercial-technical Umschulung programs. It is a direct competitor for Bildungsgutschein participants and operates nationwide, providing scale that contrasts with QualiTec's regional Aachen focus.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: DAA is a nationwide provider of vocational retraining, continuing education, and integration courses (e.g., ESF/BAMF-funded integration courses) across Germany. It operates as a recognized Bildungsträger with a similar Bildungsgutschein-funded business model to QualiTec and addresses overlapping populations of unemployed adults and migrants.
• Euro-Schulen (ESO Education Group): Euro-Schulen is a Germany-wide provider of language, integration, and vocational training programs, including BAMF integration courses and commercial retraining. It overlaps directly with QualiTec on integration/refugee upskilling services (Werkzeugkoffer Deutsch, BOFplus) and commercial retraining offerings.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie is one of Germany's largest private vocational continuing-education providers, delivering certified retraining and qualification programs across technical and commercial trades. It directly competes with QualiTec for both publicly funded voucher participants (Agentur für Arbeit/Jobcenter) and corporate training contracts, with overlapping delivery formats and HWK/IHK-adjacent certifications.

Regional players

• bbw Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft Berlin-Brandenburg: bbw is a regional chamber-affiliated vocational training provider offering retraining, continuing education, and integration programs funded through Bildungsgutschein. It mirrors QualiTec's chamber-affiliated model and target audience but operates primarily in the Berlin-Brandenburg region rather than the Aachen/Rhineland area.
• Handwerkskammer zu Köln: The Cologne Chamber of Crafts operates its own commercial-technical vocational training and continuing education infrastructure, serving a neighboring region to QualiTec's Aachen catchment. It represents the closest structural peer — a chamber-affiliated provider offering HWK-certified qualifications and integration services — though it is a public-law chamber rather than a separate GmbH subsidiary.

Emerging players

• COMCAVE.COLLEGE: COMCAVE is a private commercial training provider with a strong digital/blended delivery model for retraining and continuing education, often funded via Bildungsgutschein. It represents a more technology-led, private-sector competitor that competes with QualiTec for the same publicly funded adult learner pool but with a different cost and scale structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hwk.aachen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/handwerkskammer-aachen
• Instagraminstagram.com/handwerkskammer.aachen
• TikToktiktok.com/@handwerkskammer.aachen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 QualiTec