GFBM

What GFBM does

GFBM – gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für berufsbildende Maßnahmen mbH is a Berlin-based non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH) founded in 1992 that delivers vocational education, German language instruction, career coaching, and labor-market integration services. The organization operates more than ten Bildungszentren (education centers) across Berlin districts and a twelfth site in Strausberg (Brandenburg), supported by specialized facilities including the historic Sägewerk Grunewald woodworking workshop with an attached Makerspace and the 118-bed Gästehaus Schwanenwerder guest house on the Havel. Its product portfolio spans vocational retraining (Umschulung) in trades such as electronics, carpentry, office management, hairdressing, cooking, and textile/tailoring; German language courses from A1 through C1, including BAMF-funded Integrationskurse and Berufssprachkurse for healthcare workers; medical and nursing qualification preparation including Fachsprachprüfung Pflege B2; coaching funded through AVGS vouchers and §16k programs; youth career programs (GSWD, Jugendberufshilfe); and modular Teilqualifizierung pathways developed with the Tischler-Innung Berlin. A telc/DTZ examination center operates in-house.

GFBM operates a sales-led go-to-market model in which the majority of revenue is generated through government contracts and AVGS vouchers issued by the Agentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter, and BAMF for eligible job seekers, refugees, and migrants, supplemented by fee-based course enrollment for self-pay participants (typically 30% upfront with the balance due 14 days before course start). Enterprise partnerships with Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe (BSR, 23 years), Berliner Wasserbetriebe (10 years via EQ Horizonte), Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund, and WISAG provide workplace training placements and co-funded qualification pathways. The technology stack is conventional — PortUNA for appointment booking, Microsoft 365 and Zoom for remote training, Nextcloud for document management, CleverReach for email automation, and Connectoor for applicant tracking — with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. The organization is led by two Managing Directors (Geschäftsführer), Silke Gmirek and Dirk Joneck, and has no parent company, external investors, or venture backing.

Name

GFBM

Legal name

GFBM – gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für berufsbildende Maßnahmen mbH

Website

https://gfbm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GFBM is a Berlin-based non-profit (gGmbH) founded in 1992 that delivers vocational retraining, German language courses, career coaching, and labor-market integration programs across more than ten education centers, primarily funded by German public employment agencies (Agentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter, BAMF) via AVGS vouchers and government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Vocational retraining
• German language courses
• Integration training
• Career coaching
• Medical language exams

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded training programs: GFBM receives funding from German public employment services (Agentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter) for vocational training, retraining, and integration programs. These government contracts cover course fees for eligible participants, representing the primary revenue stream.
2. Course fee revenue: Fees charged for language courses, seminars, and professional training programs not covered by government funding. Course fees are typically paid 30% upfront upon registration and the remainder 14 days before course start.
3. AVGS-funded coaching services: Individual coaching services funded through Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (AVGS) vouchers issued by employment agencies, at no cost to eligible job seekers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

GFBM is a Berlin-based non-profit educational company that delivers publicly funded and fee-based vocational training, German language instruction, and career integration services through eleven Bildungszentren. Its core offerings are vocational retraining (Umschulung) in trades, German language courses from A1 to C1 including BAMF integration courses and professional Berufssprachkurse, medical and nursing qualification and language exam preparation, AVGS-funded career coaching, and youth career assistance programs.

Product overview

GFBM (Gesellschaft für berufsbildende Maßnahmen mbH) is a non-profit educational company based in Berlin, established in 1992, offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational training and integration services. The organization operates multiple Bildungszentren (education centers) across Berlin and Strausberg. Core offerings include Umschulung (vocational retraining) programs in trades such as electronics, hairdressing, office management, cooking, textile/fashion, carpentry, and woodworking; Deutschkurse (German language courses) from A1-C1 including integration courses and Berufssprachkurse (professional language courses); Qualifizierung Plus (Q+) practical qualification programs; Medizin und Pflege (medical and nursing) preparation courses; Coaching services including AVGS-funded programs; and Schulabschluss programs. GFBM also operates specialized facilities including Sägewerk Grunewald (a historic woodworking workshop with Makerspace), the Gästehaus Schwanenwerder (guest house with up to 118 beds), LasCafé and WerkFit social enterprises, and a telc/DTZ examination center. The organization runs various projects for youth (GSWD, Jugendberufshilfe), refugees (Bridge), and immigrants (AOKM, EQ Horizonte). Seminar offerings include certified chainsaw courses (Motorsägenkurse) and part-qualifications in carpentry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sven Walter Institut (SWI): Specialized institute operating under GFBM umbrella
• Zukunftswerkstatt
• Sägewerk Grunewald
• LasCafé
• WerkFit

Products and services

• Vocational Retraining (Umschulung)

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully placed participants through AVGS-funded coaching programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

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

• Tischler-Innung Berlin (Carpenters Guild Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025First official partnership in Berlin enabling partial qualification programs (Teilqualifizierungen) for carpentry. Four TQ modules (6 months each) developed jointly and officially approved. Enables externenprüfung (external examination) pathway to Gesellenprüfung (journeyman certification).
• Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe (BSR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016GSWD (Gemeinsam schaffen wir das!) youth career program partnership. BSR provides workplace training placements and sponsorship. Project entering 23rd consecutive year in 2026/2027 school year. Collaborative program with Loschmidt-Oberschule and WISAG supporting youth transition from school to employment.
• Berliner WasserbetriebecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016EQ Horizonte partnership providing vocational qualification and integration programs. Celebrating 10-year anniversary in 2026. Berliner Wasserbetriebe (4,836 employees) is Berlin's largest water utility company, offering workplace training opportunities for participants.
• Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (DRV)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Long-standing cooperation providing professional language courses (Berufssprachkurse) within qualification programs. DRV funds vocational rehabilitation and qualification measures for insured individuals.
• PlischkaminorOthersListed among GFBM's cooperation partners on website homepage.
• GEWOBAGminorOthersListed among GFBM's cooperation partners on website homepage. GEWOBAG is a Berlin housing association.
• Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe (BSR)minorOthersListed among GFBM's cooperation partners on website homepage.
• BEAG ElektrominorOthersListed among GFBM's cooperation partners on website homepage.
• ApleonaminorOthersListed among GFBM's cooperation partners on website homepage.
• Berliner WasserbetriebeminorOthersListed among GFBM's cooperation partners on website homepage.
• WISAGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GSWD youth career program alongside BSR and Loschmidt-Oberschule. WISAG provides workplace training and employment opportunities.
• Loschmidt-OberschulemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool partnership in GSWD youth career program. Provides educational continuity and student referrals for the work-integrated qualification program.
• Sozialpädagogisches Institut (SPI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation project providing language courses for healthcare professionals within adaptation training programs. SPI operates nursing schools.
• C. Wendt Bio-ErzeugerbetriebminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organic producer partnership at Sägewerk Grunewald. Bio market stand on the historic grounds, supporting regional sustainability initiatives.
• Ökowerk BerlinminorOthersCommunity partnership in Grunewald. Joint events such as Bloom Up environmental education program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VHS Berlin (Volkshochschulen): Berlin's adult education centers offer German language courses, integration courses (Integrationskurse), and continuing education, often with public subsidies. Compete directly with GFBM for German language learners and integration course participants in the Berlin market.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie is a large vocational training and certification provider operating across Germany with AZAV accreditation, government-funded retraining, and integration course offerings. Highly comparable in scale, funding model, and target participant base to GFBM.
• Euro-Schulen Organization (ESO): Euro-Schulen is a German education provider specializing in language courses (Integrationskurse, Berufssprachkurse), vocational retraining, and AVGS coaching. Competes directly with GFBM for AVGS voucher holders and BAMF-funded integration course participants.
• Berlitz Deutschland: Berlitz operates language schools in Berlin offering German and English courses including professional/business language. Competes with GFBM's Deutschkurse and Berufssprachkurse programs for individual and corporate language learners.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: DAA is a major German non-profit vocational education provider offering Umschulung, AVGS coaching, and integration courses nationwide with similar AZAV-certified, government-funded model. Direct competitor for the same Agentur für Arbeit/Jobcenter participant pool across multiple German regions.
• bfw (Berufsförderungswerk) Unternehmengruppe: bfw is one of Germany's largest vocational training and rehabilitation providers, offering Umschulung, AVGS coaching, and qualification programs with AZAV certification. Direct competitor serving the same public employment agency funding ecosystem with multiple centers.
• GLS Sprachenzentrum Berlin: GLS is a Berlin-based language school offering German and other language courses for individuals and corporate clients. Direct Berlin competitor for fee-paying language course participants, though smaller scale than GFBM.

Broad incumbents

• IHK Berlin (Industrie- und Handelskammer): IHK Berlin is the regional chamber of commerce offering vocational training, certification, and Weiterbildung programs. Serves overlapping employer-driven training demand in Berlin, particularly for office management and commercial apprenticeships where GFBM also offers Umschulung.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland operates a broader portfolio of certification, testing, and training services but its Akademie division offers vocational retraining and qualification programs funded through German employment agencies. Larger incumbent with similar government-funded training programs but broader geographic and service scope.

Regional players

• bbw Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft: bbw is a major non-profit vocational education provider in Bavaria with similar government-funded programs but operates in a different German region. Structurally and operationally comparable to GFBM in mission and funding model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xxing.com/companies/gfbmggmbh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBaUzL3D90yV0kyu5lylDuw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Bildung.die.Sie.weiterbringt
• Instagraminstagram.com/gfbm_berlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gfbm

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 GFBM