What BFI Vienna does

BFI Vienna (legal name: Berufsförderungsinstitut Wien der AK und des ÖGB) is a Vienna-based, non-profit vocational and continuing education institution jointly sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer Wien) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB). It operates 16 physical training locations across Vienna — including the inter-company Berufsausbildungszentrum (BAZ) — and delivers courses in three formats: in-person (Präsenz), live-online, and self-paced e-learning. Its catalog spans basic compulsory education (Pflichtschulabschluss), vocational trades, professional diplomas, technical certifications (SAP S/4HANA, KNX, welding, IFRS), university-accredited Bachelor and Master degrees, and a growing suite of AI and sustainability offerings.

The underlying technology consists of a course-catalog website with search/filtering by industry vertical, attainment level, and specialty area, integrated live-online video conferencing for remote classes, and an LMS-backed e-learning platform supporting self-paced courses and corporate full-service e-learning deployments. Course content covers nine certification types and seven training types — from intensive skilled-worker training to inter-company apprenticeship (Überbetriebliche Lehre) — and includes assessment tools for language placement and digital competency evaluation.

BFI Vienna generates revenue through three streams: individual course fees ranging from €10 (subsidized language e-learning) to €25,050 (psychosocial counseling diploma); recurring government-funded training subsidies via AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) and AK Bildungsgutschein (Chamber of Labour education vouchers); and customized corporate training services sold through a dedicated business team, including seminars, AI Act compliance training, Microsoft 365 Copilot training, and full-service e-learning deployments. It serves three roughly equal-weight segments: private individuals (career advancement, language skills, professional certifications), companies and employers (workforce training, AI Act compliance, skilled-worker/apprentice placement), and job seekers (retraining, basic education completion, career transition), with marketing concentrated in its website, email newsletter, social channels, and the annual Weiterbildungstag continuing education event.

Name

BFI Vienna

Legal name

Berufsförderungsinstitut Wien der AK und des ÖGB

Website

https://bfi.wien

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

BFI Vienna is a Vienna-based, non-profit vocational training institution jointly sponsored by the Austrian Chamber of Labour and Trade Union Federation, operating 16 locations and delivering in-person, live-online, and e-learning courses in languages, trades, professional certifications, university degrees, and corporate compliance training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

High School Equivalency (GED/HiSET/TASC) Preparation (EDANAJAG), Curriculum, Instructional Materials & Practice Testing for GED/HiSET (EDAAABAO)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Adult education programs
• Professional certification courses
• Language training services
• Corporate training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Individual course fees ranging from €10 to €25,050 depending on course type and duration. Prices vary by certification level, with basic courses under €100 and university-level programs (Bachelor, Master, MBA) costing €11,500-€25,050.
2. Government-funded Training: Training subsidized through AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice), AK (Arbeiterkammer) Bildungsgutscheine, and other public funding programs for job seekers and workers.
3. Corporate Training Services: Customized business seminars, professional development programs, and e-learning solutions sold directly to companies. Includes apprentice and skilled worker recruitment matching services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BFI Vienna (Berufsförderungsinstitut Wien der AK und des ÖGB) is a non-profit vocational and continuing education provider in Vienna offering more than 600 courses spanning basic education completion (Pflichtschulabschluss), language training, professional diplomas, technical certifications (SAP, welding, KNX, IFRS), AI/data science programs, and accredited Bachelor/Master degrees. Courses are delivered through three formats — in-person (Präsenz), live-online virtual classroom, and self-paced e-learning — to private individuals, job seekers, and corporate clients.

Product overview

BFI Vienna is a vocational and continuing education provider (Berufsförderungsinstitut Wien) offering a broad portfolio of in-person, live-online, and e-learning courses organized across six industry verticals — Languages, Business | Management | Marketing, Personal Development | Social | Health, Technology | Trades | Facility, IT | Multimedia | Programming, and Logistics | Transport | Traffic — plus seven training types. The portfolio spans short workshops (e.g., Vibe Coding, AI Agents automation), certificate modules (KI im Alltag, KI von A-Z), diploma programs (Diplomlehrgang KI-Generalist:in, Künstliche Intelligenz und Data Science), university-accredited degree programs (Fernstudium Bachelor & Master), and corporate business services (E-Learning Komplettlösungen, Fachkräftevermittlung). The training types include Facharbeiter:innen-Intensivausbildung (skilled worker intensive training), Grundausbildung (basic training), Orientierung (orientation), Pflichtschulabschluss (compulsory school completion), Zusatzausbildung (additional training), and Überbetriebliche Lehre (inter-company apprenticeship). BFI Vienna also operates the Berufsausbildungszentrum (BAZ), a dedicated inter-company vocational training center, and offers assessment tools for language placement and digital competency evaluation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KI von A-Z Introductory course covering foundational artificial intelligence concepts and applications, targeted at professionals and individuals wanting AI literacy.
• Diplomlehrgang KI-Generalist:in – Daten, KI & Geschäftsprozesse Diploma program training participants as AI generalists covering data management, AI tools, and business process integration; 200 instructional units, priced at €3,790.
• AI Agents: Prozesse im Arbeitsalltag mit KI-Agenten automatisieren Short workshop teaching how to automate daily work processes using AI agents, aimed at working professionals seeking productivity gains.
• Künstliche Intelligenz und Data Science Diplomlehrgang Extended diploma program covering artificial intelligence and data science techniques for business applications, intended for professionals pursuing data-oriented careers.
• KI im Alltag: Einfach nutzen, sicher starten Beginner-friendly course helping learners use AI tools in daily life safely and effectively.
• Sprachen – Einstufungstests Deutsch und Englisch Language proficiency placement tests for German and English, enabling prospective students to be assessed and placed in appropriate course levels.
• Einstufungstest Digitalkompetenzen Digital competency assessment test helping individuals identify their current digital skills level.
• Berufsausbildungszentrum (BAZ) Inter-company vocational training center offering modern learning environments and career opportunities for youth and adults across multiple trades.
• AI Act: Schulungsangebot für Unternehmen Corporate training program helping companies prepare for and comply with EU AI Act regulatory requirements.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Trainings Corporate training on Microsoft 365 Copilot, teaching employees to use AI-powered productivity tools in their organizations.
• E-Learning Komplettlösungen (Corporate) Full-service corporate e-learning solutions including custom content development and platform delivery for businesses.
• Lehrlings- und Facharbeiter:innenvermittlung Apprentice and skilled worker placement service connecting trained individuals with partner companies.
• Fernstudium Bachelor- & Masterstudiengänge Distance learning bachelor's and master's degree programs in partnership with German-language universities, including business, engineering, psychology, and social sciences (e.g., MBA People Management €11,500, MSc Sustainable Business €12,500).
• Sozialbegleitung Social accompaniment diploma program training social care professionals, priced at €3,150.
• University Certificate Programs (CAS/Hochschulzertifikat) University-accredited certificate programs (CAS) in areas such as Financial Management (€990), International Marketing (€990), Social Media Marketing (€2,490), and Performance Marketing (€2,340).
• Technical Certification Courses Industry-recognized technical certifications including SAP S/4HANA (€890–€3,980), KNX certification (€1,370), welding certifications (€788–€14,102), and IFRS Certified Accountant (€3,250).

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Terra Institute BrixenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026Cooperation for sustainable e-learning offerings. Terra Institute Brixen provides expertise in sustainability topics for BFI Wien's educational content on environmental and sustainability topics.
• EUCAREminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025European knowledge transfer program bringing intensive care nurses from European countries to Austrian hospitals. BFI Wien provides language and cultural training as part of the integration program.
• Wiener NetzecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2024Partnership with Wiener Netze (Vienna's grid operator) to train cross-industry workers for the energy transition, specifically in smart metering and related technical fields. Initiative to fill skill gaps in the energy sector.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Udemy Business: Enterprise-focused learning marketplace offering on-demand courses across business, technology, and professional skills. Competes with BFI's corporate training packages (especially IT/Programming and Business/Management) on price and course catalog breadth.
• Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities and companies to deliver professional certificates and degree programs. Competes with BFI's online course and certificate offerings, particularly for corporate training buyers seeking scalable, lower-cost alternatives.
• LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn's professional learning platform integrated with the world's largest professional network. Competes for BFI's corporate training clients and individual upskilling learners, with bundled access to professional networking as a differentiator.

Direct peers

• Volkshochschule Wien (VHS Wien): Public adult education centers in Vienna offering language, professional, and personal development courses. Operates with similar government mandate to provide accessible adult education, competing directly for individual learners across BFI's core categories.
• WIFI Wien: Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut der Wirtschaftskammer Wien—the economic chamber's training arm offering similar business, technical, and vocational courses to companies and individuals in Vienna. Competes directly with BFI for the same Vienna-based corporate and individual learner base.
• TÜV Austria Akademie: Austrian certification and professional training provider offering technical certifications (welding, ISO, quality management). Competes with BFI's technical certification portfolio, particularly in regulated industries where TÜV brand carries additional credential weight.
• Euro-FH: European University of Applied Sciences offering accredited distance learning bachelor and master programs in German. Directly comparable to BFI's Fernstudium portfolio, including similar pricing bands (€10K-€25K) and target learner demographics.
• BFI Österreich (BFI National Network): National federation of BFI institutions across Austrian federal states. Operates the same vocational and continuing education model under the same Arbeiterkammer/ÖGB umbrella, providing the closest institutional peer and potential for cross-state collaboration or competition.

Regional players

• sgd (Studiengemeinschaft Darmstadt): Germany's largest distance learning provider, offering Fernstudium programs across vocational, technical, and business fields. Operates a similar model to BFI Vienna's German-language distance learning partnerships but at much greater scale across DACH.
• FH Campus Wien: Vienna's largest university of applied sciences offering bachelor/master degree programs in technical and applied fields. Overlaps with BFI's Fernstudium degree partnerships and competes for the same upskilling professionals seeking accredited credentials in Vienna.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bfiwien
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bfi-wien
• Xx.com/bfiWien

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 BFI Vienna