BWK

What BWK does

BWK BildungsWerk in Kreuzberg GmbH is a Berlin-based, privately held vocational education and training provider founded in 1984 and operating under CEO Nihat Sorgec (Dipl.-Ing.). The company delivers AZAV-certified retraining (Umschulung), apprenticeship (Ausbildung), continuing education (Weiterbildung), German language instruction (A1–C1), career coaching, and specialized integration programs for migrants and refugees from a single integrated campus at Cuvrystraße 34 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The facility combines classrooms with purpose-built training environments (kitchen, textile and bicycle workshops, hairdressing salon) plus 84 studio apartments operated via wholly-owned subsidiary BWK-Campus GmbH.

The core technology stack is modest: an in-house Learning Management System (Onlineschule, currently flagged as temporarily unavailable) for digital course delivery, supplemented by YouTube-hosted video content. Product breadth is high — over 20 distinct programs including the AVöD public-sector preparatory track (commissioned by the Berlin Senate Administration), the BAPP-Kompakt apprenticeship placement program, BOFplus for refugees, BWK-Studienkolleg university preparation, the GPS-based JOBWalk career exploration app, and a bicultural cross-media journalism program delivered with Neue Deutsche Medienmachern.

Revenue is generated primarily through government-funded Bildungsgutschein and AVGS vouchers issued by Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenters, covering tuition, living expenses, and childcare for eligible participants. Direct fee revenue is limited to short-cycle programs (AEVO trainer course at 550 EUR, LMHV food hygiene seminar at 190 EUR, German A1–C1 package at 6,100 EUR over 40 weeks), plus ancillary canteen, catering, and event space income. With 11–50 employees and operations confined to Berlin, BWK is a mid-sized specialist within the German federally funded vocational training market.

Name

BWK

Legal name

BWK BildungsWerk in Kreuzberg GmbH

Website

https://bwk-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BWK BildungsWerk in Kreuzberg GmbH is a Berlin-based, AZAV-certified vocational education provider delivering retraining, apprenticeships, language courses, and migrant integration programs to unemployed adults, refugees, and youth, funded primarily through government Bildungsgutschein vouchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workplace & Career Integration for Immigrants (Credentialing, Job Readiness) (EDAAADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Job Readiness Training & Soft Skills Development (EDAKANAD), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Vocational retraining
• Apprenticeship training
• Continuing education
• Career coaching
• Language courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Kreuzberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training Programs: BWK operates as an AZAV-certified training provider receiving funding through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) from the German Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and Jobcenters. These cover tuition, living expenses, social insurance, and childcare costs for unemployed or at-risk individuals undergoing retraining.
2. Weiterbildungsprämie (Training Premium): Government subsidy of 1,500 EUR for passing retraining final exams, increasing to 2,500 EUR if intermediate exams are also passed. This incentivizes completion of retraining programs.
3. Direct Course Fees: Some programs charge fees directly to participants or employers, such as AEVO training (550 EUR plus exam fees) and food hygiene seminars (190 EUR).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BWK BildungsWerk in Kreuzberg GmbH is an AZAV-certified vocational education provider delivering vocational retraining (Umschulung), apprenticeship training (Ausbildung), continuing education (Weiterbildung), career coaching, and German language courses to unemployed adults, migrants, refugees, and youth in Berlin. Programs lead to IHK- and HWK-recognized qualifications in trades such as hairdressing, cooking, hotel management, textile tailoring, bicycle mechanics, and construction, supplemented by public-service preparation (AVöD), the BWK-Studienkolleg for international students, and BOFplus orientation for refugees. Revenue is primarily sourced through government-funded Bildungsgutschein education vouchers from the Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter.

Product overview

BWK BildungsWerk in Kreuzberg GmbH operates as a multi-faceted educational institution offering vocational retraining (Umschulung), apprenticeship training (Ausbildung), continuing education (Weiterbildung), career preparation programs, and coaching services. The institution provides specialized preparation programs for Berlin's public sector (AVöD), the Berliner Ausbildungsplatzprogramm (BAPP-Kompakt), and university preparation (Studienkolleg). Additional offerings include German language courses, intercultural training, and career orientation programs for refugees and migrants. The institution also operates ancillary services including a canteen, catering, event space rentals, and student apartments. An online learning platform (Onlineschule) is also available. All programs are AZAV-certified and can be financed through education vouchers from the employment agency or job center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BWK Campus Apartments: Student accommodation service offering 84 studio apartments, many configured as double studios with shared sanitary facilities
• BWK Studienkolleg
• BWK Kantine
• BWK Friseursalon
• BWK Fahrradwerkstatt
• BWK Schneiderwerkstatt
• Hotel-Apartment
• AVöD
• BOFplus
• BAPP-Kompakt
• BOP

Products and services

• Umschulung (Vocational Retraining) Vocational retraining programs offering IHK-registered qualifications in trades including hairdressing, cooking, hotel management, textile and fashion cutting, bicycle mechanics, construction (Ausbaufacharbeiter, Trockenbaumonteur), and household management. Programs typically span 16+ months and are funded through Bildungsgutschein for unemployed adults in Berlin.
• Ausbildung (Vocational Training / Apprenticeship) Apprenticeship and vocational training programs including generalist nursing (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann), commercial trades (Kaufmännische Ausbildung), and supported training models (BaE integrativ and kooperativ, AjE) for young adults.
• AVöD (Ausbildungsvorbereitung Öffentlicher Dienst) Full-time preparatory courses for careers in Berlin's public sector, including police, justice, and public administration. Commissioned by the Berlin Senate Administration (Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung).
• BAPP-Kompakt (Berliner Ausbildungsplatzprogramm) Entry phase of the Berlin apprenticeship placement program designed to help trainees find suitable training companies. Includes matching services and individual support throughout the apprenticeship search process.
• BOFplus (Berufliche Orientierung für Zugewanderte) Vocational orientation program for persons with refugee and migration backgrounds, offered in cooperation with Helmut Ziegner Berufsbildungs gGmbH. Includes a 2-week individual orientation, 12-18 week workshop days, and up to 8 weeks of workplace experience.
• BWK-Studienkolleg (University Preparation) University preparation program for international school leavers preparing them for the external Feststellungsprüfung exam within 10 months. Bundles German language training from A1 to C1 level with academic bridging content.
• Coaching and Job-Coaching Programs Individual coaching services including Auf dem Weg zum Job, Aktiv bewerben – Fit für den Markt, Perspektive Wiedereinstieg, and other AVGS-funded support programs for job seekers and career changers.
• Berufsorientierungsprogramm BOP Career orientation program for 7th and 8th grade students at Berlin secondary schools, including potential analysis and workshop days in various occupational fields.
• Praxislerngruppen Practical learning groups delivered in cooperation with Berlin integrated secondary schools (Berliner Integrierte Sekundarschulen) for students in grades 7-10, focusing on hands-on vocational exploration.
• Qualifizierungen (Short-term Qualifications) Short-term qualification programs each lasting three months covering household management (Hauswirtschaftskraft), kitchen work (Küchenkraft), and service roles (Servicekraft).
• Weiterbildung (Continuing Education) Continuing education offerings including food hygiene regulations (LMHV seminar at 190 EUR), intercultural opening modules, and AEVO trainer qualification course (550 EUR plus exam fees).
• Modulare Nachqualifizierung (Modular Post-Qualification) Modular post-qualification programs for obtaining recognized vocational qualifications in hotel management, cooking, hairdressing, and textile professions.
• Berliner Berufsrouten / JOBWalk GPS-based career exploration mobile application developed with mediale pfade.de, allowing youth to discover apprenticeship occupations using tablets or smartphones. Features 40 different career routes across Berlin.
• Interkulturelle Öffnung (Intercultural Training) Intercultural training services including modules on intercultural communication and culturally sensitive counseling for migrants, refugees, and integration practitioners.
• Sprachkurse (German Language Courses) German language courses from A1 to C1 level, including preparation for telc C1 Hochschule, TestDaF, and DSH exams. A 40-week package of 30 hours per week instruction is priced at 6,100 EUR including teaching materials and the telc C1 Hochschule exam.
• Fit für die Verwaltung Preparation and advanced course in office and administration professions for Berlin's economy, funded by the IQ network and ESF+, focusing on business communication, HR accounting, and administration practice.
• Campus Apartments (BWK-Campus GmbH) 84 studio apartments operated by the wholly owned subsidiary BWK-Campus GmbH in the same building, with shared sanitary facilities and elevator access, providing on-site accommodation for out-of-region participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of journalism program graduates successfully employed in editorial positions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IHK Berlin (Industrie- und Handelskammer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partnership for vocational examination administration, certification, and industry alignment of training programs.
• HWK Frankfurt (Oder) and HWK Potsdam (Handwerkskammern)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft trade chambers for skilled trades vocational training oversight and certification.
• Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und AntidiskriminierungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin state government department funding and overseeing AVöD programs for public sector career preparation.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA Berlin-Süd, BA Berlin-Nord, BA Berlin-Mitte)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal Employment Agency providing funding through Bildungsgutschein and referring job seekers to training programs.
• All Berliner JobcentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal job centers co-funding vocational training and referring long-term unemployed participants.
• Berliner Bezirkliche Bündnis für Wirtschaft und Arbeit (BBWA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development alliance for workforce integration initiatives.
• Regionaler Ausbildungsverbund Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg (RAV FK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional apprenticeship coordination network for Kreuzberg district.
• Berliner Verband für Ausbildung (BVA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin training association for industry coordination.
• IQ-NetzwerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegration through Qualification network supporting migrants in professional integration.
• Deutsch-Türkische HandelskammerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman-Turkish Chamber of Commerce supporting cross-cultural business and training connections.
• Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Institute for Vocational Education and Training providing research and program support.
• Universität UppsalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Education for Equity (EFE) project coordinating institution under Erasmus+ program, focused on preventing school and training dropouts.
• AVCT (Alt Valley Community Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner in Education for Equity project, based in Liverpool, working on preventing training dropouts.
• TRABZON MESLEKI EGITIM MERKEZI MUDURLUGU (Trabzon Vocational Education Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkish partner in Inlet Vedu project for developing innovative learning tools in vocational education.
• Katholieke Hogeschool KempenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian partner in Inlet Vedu project for comparative studies on labor markets and industrial structures.
• European Partners (Belgium, France, UK, Italy, Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo-da-Vinci partnership project ESIT comparing educational offerings for disadvantaged youth and adults across Europe.
• Neue Deutsche MedienmacherncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia organization collaborating on bicultural crossmedia journalism training program since 2009.
• Helmut Ziegner Berufsbildung gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for BOFplus vocational orientation program for refugees and migrants.
• Forum Berufsbildung gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training forum partner organization.
• GFBM (Gesellschaft für Berufsbildung und Management)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and management organization partner.
• mediale pfade.de - Agentur für MedienbildungcoreTechnology or IntegrationMedia education agency developing the digital JOBWalk platform for Berufsrouten career orientation using GPS and mobile devices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• bfw – Unternehmen für Bildung: National vocational rehabilitation and retraining network focused on unemployed and disadvantaged learners, including those with migration backgrounds. Comparable to BWK because it offers similar AZAV-certified retraining, coaching, and integration pathways funded by the same federal employment programs.
• Kolping Bildungswerk: National Catholic vocational education network running AZAV-certified retraining, integration programs, and youth career orientation similar to BWK's BOP and BOFplus offerings. Comparable because it serves the same disadvantaged/migrant adult segments via similar chamber-certified pathways.
• IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG: One of Germany's largest privately operated vocational training and retraining chains, offering Umschulung and Weiterbildung funded via Bildungsgutschein. Comparable because it competes for the same AZAV-funded adult learners, but operates at significantly larger national scale including strong online delivery.
• WBS TRAINING AG: National vocational training and retraining chain delivering AZAV-funded Umschulung, often via blended online and classroom formats, including commercial, IT, and care tracks. Directly comparable to BWK because it serves the same government-voucher-funded adult learner base, but with substantially greater online reach.
• BBQ Bildung und Berufliche Qualifizierung gGmbH: One of Germany's largest non-profit vocational retraining and qualification providers, offering AZAV-certified Umschulung and Weiterbildung programs similar to BWK's, including in trades like commercial, IT, and care. Directly comparable because it competes for the same Agentur-für-Arbeit/Jobcenter-funded participants under the same regulatory framework.
• Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie (DAA): Major national provider of adult education, retraining, and integration courses with strong AZAV-certification and government voucher funding exposure. Highly comparable to BWK because it delivers similar Bildungs- und Berufsförderung programs for unemployed and migrant participants across multiple German cities.
• SBH Nord GmbH: Vocational training provider operating across northern Germany, offering AZAV-certified retraining, school-to-work transition, and migrant integration programs. Directly comparable to BWK because it works with the same Jobcenter/Arbeitsagentur referral flows and similar target segments (unemployed, youth, migrants).

Regional players

• Forum Berufsbildung gGmbH: Vocational training and qualification provider active primarily in the Berlin/Brandenburg region, delivering AZAV-certified programs in cooperation with Jobcenters. Comparable to BWK because it competes for the same Berlin voucher-funded learners and partner network (also listed among BWK's partner organizations).

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Akademie GmbH: Part of DEKRA Group, providing large-scale vocational retraining, AZAV-certified Umschulung, and continuing education across Germany. Comparable to BWK in the retraining/qualification product layer, but much broader in scope and geography, functioning as a scaled incumbent rather than a community-focused niche operator.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: Major German continuing education and certification provider offering vocational retraining, safety training, and language courses with AZAV accreditation. Comparable because it overlaps with BWK's AEVO trainer qualification, LMHV food hygiene, and Weiterbildung product lines, but operates as a broader, multi-region incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BWK_Kreuzberg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgn_WpKFCG9Pvdm_AuhsUZw
• Facebookfacebook.com/bwkberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bwk-bildungswerk-in-kreuzberg-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/bildungswerk_kreuzberg

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 BWK