What apave formation does

Apave Formation is the professional training arm of the privately-held Apave Group, headquartered in France, specializing in regulated health, safety, and technical training for industrial, construction, energy, and infrastructure enterprises. The business operates 170 training centers across France, runs approximately 1,300 sessions per week, and is staffed by 2,200 trainer-inspectors — practitioners who combine field inspection credentials with regulatory and technical expertise. The catalog spans more than 20 specialized domains (asbestos, ATEX, electrical, working at height, fire, nuclear/radioprotection, pressure equipment, welding/CND, scaffolding, CACES lifting, IRVE electric mobility, photovoltaic, cybersecurity, energy transition, etc.) plus 8 qualifying professional programs (CIMA, industrial maintenance, HVAC, industrial welding, warehouse operations, multi-skilled building maintenance, health-safety coordination, quality control) targeting France's skilled-labor shortage.

Delivery is hybrid: in-person at the 170 physical centers, plus 100% remote, blended, customized, and enhanced in-person formats, supported by a digital learning toolkit that includes e-learning modules, virtual classrooms, serious games, and virtual reality simulations. An Espace Client portal handles enrollment, learning-path tracking, certificate downloads, and 24/7 administration. The company trains approximately 630,000 trainees per year (2024), reports a 99.6% success rate and a 9.1/10 trainee satisfaction score, and serves marquee French and European enterprises including Airbus, EDF, Engie, Eiffage, Bouygues Construction, LVMH, Sanofi, Société Générale, and Andros.

Revenue is generated primarily through B2B enterprise training contracts (direct billing) supplemented by French public funding mechanisms — CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), OPCO (Opérateurs de Compétences), and FNE (Fonds National de l'Emploi) — and a growing training-administration outsourcing service. The GTM is enterprise field sales with dedicated account management for large accounts, complemented by digital self-serve and international delivery through Apave Group subsidiary entities (Camas, Trainor, Certifer, Baltic Control, and others) across 45+ countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Apave Formation sits within a broader Group ecosystem that also provides inspection, certification, testing/qualification, diagnostics, and digital services, enabling bundled compliance offerings.

Name

apave formation

Legal name

Apave

Website

https://apave-formation.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Apave Formation is the regulated health, safety, and technical training arm of France's Apave Group, delivering 20+ specialized and 8 qualifying professional training programs through 170 centers and 2,200 trainer-inspectors to ~630,000 French and European enterprise trainees per year, with hybrid in-person, VR, e-learning, and remote delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Operations, Quality & Process Improvement (Lean/Six Sigma) (EDAGANAH), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Human Resources & Talent Development (EDAGANAB)

Keywords

• Occupational safety training
• Professional skills development
• Workplace safety certification
• Industrial technical training
• E-learning training solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: B2B professional training services for enterprises with public funding mechanisms (CPF, OPCO, FNE) and direct enterprise billing. Training delivered through 170 centers, 1300 sessions per week, and digital learning solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Apave Formation is a French professional training organization delivering technical health-and-safety training to enterprises through 170 training centers, in-person sessions, blended learning, 100% remote formats and digital modules. The catalog spans more than 20 specialized domains (asbestos, ATEX, electrical, scaffolding, CACES lifting, working at height, fire, nuclear, photovoltaic, cybersecurity, etc.) complemented by eight qualifying vocational programs targeting skilled-labor shortages. Delivery is supported by 2,200 trainer-inspectors and digital tools including VR, serious games, e-learning and a 24/7 client portal.

Product overview

Apave Formation is a professional training organization and leader in health and safety technical training in France, offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 20 specialized training categories (covering asbestos, electrical safety, working at height, fire safety, nuclear, cybersecurity, and more), complemented by 8 qualifying professional training programs (CIMA, industrial maintenance technician, HVAC technician, industrial welder, warehouse agent, building maintenance agent, health/safety coordinator, quality control technician) designed to address skilled labor shortages. The company delivers training through multiple formats including 100% remote, blended learning, customized programs, and enhanced in-person sessions, supported by innovative pedagogical tools such as virtual reality, serious games, and e-learning modules. The training ecosystem is managed via an online client portal (Espace Client) for registration, progress tracking, and certificate management. With 170 training centers, 1,300 weekly sessions, 2,200 trainer-inspectors, and 630,000 annual trainees, Apave offers both catalog-based courses and fully managed training outsourcing solutions, with financing options through CPF, OPCO, and FNE programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camas: Training services brand
• Certifer
• Sopemea
• Trainor
• WeUp Learning
• AxesSim
• Baltic Control

Products and services

• Formation Amiante (Asbestos Training) Training covering identification, risk assessment and safe handling procedures for asbestos-containing materials, aimed at workers and employers who must comply with asbestos regulations.
• Formation Atmosphère explosive (ATEX) Training for working in explosive atmospheres, covering risk identification and safety procedures for ATEX environments in industrial settings.
• Formation Bâtiment et Travaux Publics Construction and civil-engineering training covering technical and safety aspects of building and public works for construction firms.
• Formation Batteries électriques (Electric Battery Training) Training on electric batteries including safety procedures, handling and risk management for electric energy storage systems.
• Formation CACES® Levage Manutention Certification training for lifting and handling equipment operators covering CACES certification requirements for industrial and construction sites.
• Formation Échafaudages (Scaffolding Training) Scaffolding assembly, use and safety training for construction and maintenance work at height.
• Formation Électricité (Electrical Training) Electrical training covering safety procedures, electrical risk assessment and proper handling of electrical installations for workers and electricians.
• Formation Énergies et transition énergétique Energy-sector training covering renewable energy technologies, transition strategies and associated safety protocols.
• Formation Environnement Qualité Risques Industriels Training on environmental management, quality standards and industrial risk identification and control.
• Formation Équipements sous pression (Pressure Equipment Training) Training on pressure-equipment safety, inspection procedures and regulatory compliance for pressurized systems.
• Formation de formateurs (Train-the-Trainer) Train-the-trainer program developing pedagogical skills and instructional techniques for technical training professionals.
• Formation Incendie (Fire Safety Training) Fire-safety training covering prevention, emergency response, fire-extinguisher use and evacuation procedures.
• Formation Mobilité électrique (IRVE Electric Mobility) Electric-mobility training covering electric-vehicle infrastructure, charging stations and IRVE certification requirements.
• Formation Nucléaire (Nuclear Sector Training) Nuclear-sector training covering safety procedures, radiation protection and compliance requirements for nuclear facilities.
• Formation Photovoltaïque (Solar PV Training) Solar photovoltaic installation and maintenance training covering technical procedures and safety standards.
• Formation Production maintenance industrielle Industrial production and maintenance training covering operational procedures, equipment care and efficiency optimization.
• Formation Rayonnements / Radioprotection PCR Radiation-protection training for Radiation Protection Officers (PCR) covering dosimetry, safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
• Formation Risques numériques et cybersécurité, sûreté et malveillance Digital-risk and cybersecurity training covering threat identification, data protection and security best practices for enterprise IT and risk teams.
• Formation Santé Sécurité au Travail Occupational health and safety training covering workplace hazards, risk prevention and wellness standards for HSE teams and managers.
• Formation Soudage et Contrôle Non Destructif (CND/NDT) Welding and non-destructive testing training covering welding techniques, inspection methods and quality-control procedures.
• Formation Travail en hauteur (Working at Height) Working-at-height training covering fall-protection systems, harness usage and safety procedures for elevated work.
• Conducteur d'Installations et de Machines Automatisées (CIMA) Qualifying professional training for automated machine installation operators, addressing skilled-labor shortages in industrial sectors.
• Technicien de maintenance industrielle Qualifying training for industrial maintenance technicians covering equipment servicing, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance.
• Technicien de Maintenance en Chauffage Ventilation Climatisation (HVAC) Qualifying training for HVAC maintenance technicians covering climate-control systems installation and servicing.
• Soudeur industriel (Industrial Welder) Qualifying training for industrial welders covering various welding techniques and metal fabrication procedures.
• Agent magasinier (Warehouse Agent) Qualifying training for warehouse agents covering inventory management, logistics and storage operations.
• Agent de maintenance et d'entretien polyvalent des locaux Qualifying training for multi-skilled building-maintenance agents covering facility upkeep and repairs.
• Référent Santé, Sécurité, Qualité de Vie au Travail Qualifying training for health, safety and workplace-well-being coordinators covering risk prevention and wellness programs.
• Contrôleur Technique Qualité Qualifying training for quality-control technicians covering inspection procedures and quality-assurance standards.
• Catalogue Digital Learning Digital learning catalogue featuring e-learning modules, virtual classes, serious games and virtual-reality training solutions for 24/7 self-paced access.
• Formation 100% à distance Fully-remote training delivery format enabling participants to complete courses entirely online via digital platforms.
• Blended Learning Hybrid learning approach combining online digital modules with in-person practical training sessions.
• Formation sur-mesure (Customized Enterprise Training) Customized training programs co-developed with enterprises to address specific organizational needs and operational contexts.
• Présentiel enrichi (Enhanced In-Person Training) In-person training enhanced with digital tools, interactive elements and technology-augmented learning experiences.
• Externalisation de la gestion de la formation Outsourcing service for complete training management including administration, scheduling and compliance handling for enterprises that delegate training operations to Apave.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.6% success rate among trainees
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record.

• AktioOthersSpecialized entity within the Apave Group offering specific technical services
• Apave CertificationOthersCertification services entity within the Apave Group
• Apave DigitalTechnology or IntegrationDigital solutions and technology entity within the Apave Group
• AxesSimTechnology or IntegrationSimulation technology provider, part of Apave Group entities
• CamasOthersTraining entity within the Apave Group network
• CertiferOthersCertification and inspection entity, part of Apave Group with presence in Germany and Austria
• OppidaOthersSpecialized entity within the Apave Group for technical services
• SopemeaOthersTesting and qualification services entity within the Apave Group
• TrainorOthersTraining entity, part of Apave Group with presence in Norway and Belgium
• WeUp LearningOthersLearning solutions entity within the Apave Group network

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• AFNOR Certification: AFNOR is the French national standards body and certification provider. While not a direct training competitor, AFNOR drives the same regulatory and standards ecosystem in which Apave Formation operates, and offers complementary certification services that enterprises procure alongside safety training.

Direct peers

• SOCOTEC: SOCOTEC is the closest French-headquartered direct competitor — a TIC group with a dedicated training division covering safety, construction, and industrial certifications. It competes head-to-head with Apave Formation on CACES, electrical, fire, and construction safety training delivered to French enterprises.
• Trainor: Trainor is a Norwegian-headquartered electrical and automation safety training provider now part of the Apave Group itself. It is comparable as a specialist technical training operator serving European industrial clients on similar IEC-ex/electrical and Ex/ATEX curricula that Apave Formation teaches.
• CESI: CESI is a French engineering and professional training school offering industrial, IT, and management training to enterprises. It is directly comparable to Apave Formation on the B2B French professional training side, particularly for technical and qualifying programs.

Regional players

• AFPA: AFPA is France's primary public vocational training organization delivering qualifying training for industrial, building, and service trades. It is comparable to Apave Formation's "Formations métiers qualifiantes" portfolio addressing skilled-labor shortages, though AFPA operates as a public-sector provider rather than a commercial B2B operator.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a German TIC incumbent with substantial training offerings in industrial safety, energy, and product certification. It is comparable to Apave Formation as a credentialed, regulation-driven training provider serving enterprise clients globally.
• SGS: SGS is a global TIC giant offering training and certification services alongside inspection and testing. It competes broadly with the Apave Group ecosystem on enterprise compliance, safety, and skills certification training in international markets.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC incumbent with a training and certification arm (BV Training) serving similar industrial and safety domains. While broader in scope and scale, it overlaps materially with Apave Formation on regulated safety training, certification, and enterprise compliance upskilling.
• Kiwa: Kiwa is a European TIC group with a notable training division covering certification, fire safety, and industrial compliance. It is comparable to Apave Formation on regulated professional certification training, particularly in construction and energy sectors.
• DEKRA: DEKRA is a German-headquartered global TIC leader with significant training services in occupational safety, automotive, and industrial certifications. It competes with Apave Formation across regulated training programs and shares the trainer-inspector model through its own Akademie network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6ZiAcm5IwpJ8rHFf2USoTA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apave-formation
• Instagraminstagram.com/apave_officiel/?hl=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries32 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 apave formation