What BBZ Olten does

BBZ Olten (Berufsbildungszentrum Olten) is a public vocational education institution wholly owned and operated by the Canton of Solothurn's Department for Education and Culture (DBK), founded in 2005 and headquartered at Aarauerstrasse 30, Olten, with a secondary campus in Trimbach. The institution operates through five sub-brands: GIBS (technical/industrial vocational school), GSBS (health/social vocational school), KBS (commercial vocational school), HF Pflege (higher tertiary nursing school), and EBZ (adult continuing education center). Together these serve apprentices in commercial, industrial, healthcare, and social trades, adult learners seeking professional certifications, and partner companies that need qualified trainers (Berufsbildner) for their apprentices.

The educational platform is built on the cantonal KASCHUSO enrollment and student management system, supplemented by Microsoft Teams for remote instruction, a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program with standardized notebook requirements, and ancillary services including social counseling, the Mediothek Bifang library, two cafeterias, and space rental. The EBZ division runs a broad continuing education portfolio including ICDL Base/Advanced certification, ICT Advanced User SIZ diploma, Cambridge English preparation, Online Marketing Manager and E-Commerce Manager courses (in cooperation with HKV Nordwest), FHNW university-preparation courses, Berufsbildnerkurse (mandatory trainer qualification), and various short seminars in project management, communication, and care. Quality is certified by EFQM Qualified (2023) and by multiple sector credentials (EfVET, Cambridge English Preparation Centre, ICDL, DELF).

BBZ Olten's revenue model is primarily public cantonal funding for its regulated vocational mandate, supplemented by per-course fees in continuing education (CHF 450-3,250 per participant depending on course). It serves three primary segments: apprentices and vocational students aged 15-20, adult learners seeking professional certifications, and partner companies that train apprentices. The institution coordinates the Bildungsstadt Olten network of 21 educational providers serving over 35,000 learners and 1,800 employees in the Olten Bifang area, with Director Georg Berger serving as President of that association. The center celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 and continues operational expansion via new course offerings and inter-regional competition hosting.

Name

BBZ Olten

Legal name

Berufsbildungszentrum Olten

Website

https://bbzolten.so.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BBZ Olten is a public vocational education center operated by the Canton of Solothurn, delivering recognized Swiss vocational qualifications and continuing education across five sub-brands (GIBS, GSBS, KBS, HF Pflege, EBZ) to apprentices, adult learners, and partner companies in the Olten region.

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)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement (EDAMAKAB), Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Apprenticeship training
• Adult continuing education
• Professional certification courses
• Higher vocational nursing

Headquarters

HQ city

Olten

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 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. Public Education Funding: Government-funded vocational and continuing education programs funded by the Canton of Solothurn.
2. Berufsbildnerkurse: Professional development courses for company trainers, priced at CHF 450 for Solothurn companies and CHF 750 for others.
3. E-Commerce Manager Course: Professional certification course priced at CHF 2,400 plus materials, 60 lessons, delivered in collaboration with HKV Nordwest.
4. Online Marketing Manager Course: Professional certification course at CHF 3,250, 96 lessons over 8 months, in collaboration with HKV Nordwest.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BBZ Olten is a public vocational education center that delivers dual-track vocational education (apprenticeship schooling combined with workplace training) across commercial, industrial, healthcare, and social sectors, plus adult continuing education and professional certification courses. Offerings span initial vocational training, vocational baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität), higher vocational education in nursing (HF Pflege), and fee-based adult courses including ICDL, SIZ, Online Marketing Manager, E-Commerce Manager, Berufsbildner, and FHNW preparation courses.

Product overview

BBZ Olten (Berufsbildungszentrum Olten) is a multi-division vocational education center operated by the Canton of Solothurn, comprising five distinct sub-brands: GIBS (Gewerblich Industrielle Berufsschule) for commercial and industrial trades, GSBS (Gesundheitlich-Soziale Berufsfachschule) for healthcare and social professions, HFPO (Höhere Fachschule Pflege) for advanced nursing education, KBS (Kaufmännische Berufsschule) for commercial and retail occupations, and EBZ (Erwachsenenbildungszentrum) for adult continuing education. The EBZ division itself offers a broad portfolio of professional certification courses including ICT certifications (ICDL Base/Advanced, ICT Advanced User SIZ), digital marketing credentials (Online Marketing Manager, E-Commerce Manager), project management, communication and conflict management, organization and processes, trainer qualification courses (Berufsbildnerkurse), first aid (BLS-AED-SRC), care knowledge for relatives, entrepreneurship workshops (Startup-Workshop), FHNW university preparation courses in mathematics and financial accounting, BM admission exam preparation, and modular continuing education preparation courses. Beyond its educational divisions, BBZ Olten operates ancillary services including space rental, cafeteria facilities, social counseling, a media library, and coordinates the Bildungsstadt Olten network of 21 regional educational institutions. The school was founded in 2005 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GIBS: Gewerblich-Industrielle Berufsschule - Technical and commercial vocational school division of BBZ Olten
• GSBS
• KBS
• HF Pflege
• EBZ Olten

Products and services

• GIBS Vocational Training (Gewerblich Industrielle Berufsschule) Vocational school division offering professional education for commercial and industrial occupations, including career-specific training, general education, vocational baccalaureate (BM), and bridge programs, for apprentices in technical and industrial trades.
• GSBS Vocational Training (Gesundheitlich-Soziale Berufsfachschule) Vocational school division for healthcare and social professions, offering initial vocational training (FaGe, MPA, Dentalassistent, AGS), vocational baccalaureate, and specialized further education for healthcare and social care roles.
• HF Pflege (Höhere Fachschule Pflege) Higher vocational college offering nursing education at tertiary level B (Tertiärstufe B), with specializations in somatic/geriatric/psychiatric care and a part-time 70% study format, for students pursuing advanced nursing qualifications.
• KBS Vocational Training (Kaufmännische Berufsschule) Commercial vocational school division offering business and commerce training (KV), retail (Detailhandel), vocational baccalaureate in economics and services, and qualification procedures.
• EBZ Adult Education Center (Erwachsenenbildungszentrum) Adult education center offering continuing education, professional qualification courses, language training, FHNW university preparation courses, firm-specific training, and integration programs for adults.
• Online Marketing Manager/-in with Certificate 8-month professional certification program covering online marketing strategy, social media, search engine marketing, online advertising, newsletter marketing, mobile marketing, legal foundations, and presentation techniques, conducted jointly with HKV Nordwest. Priced at CHF 3,250 for 96 lessons.
• E-Commerce Manager/-in with Certificate Certificate program teaching how to build and operate digital sales platforms, including article data management, customer behavior analysis, shop optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine marketing. Priced at CHF 2,400 plus materials.
• Berufsbildnerkurse (Trainer Qualification Courses) Mandatory 40-hour professional trainer qualification course enabling participants to train apprentices, covering general professions and hairdressing/coiffure tracks. CHF 450 for Solothurn companies, CHF 750 for others, including handbook.
• ICDL Base and Advanced Certification Internationally recognized computer literacy certification program covering Word, Excel, Online Basics, and Computer Basics modules, leading to an ICDL Base certificate and optional Advanced modules for PowerPoint.
• ICT Advanced User/-in SIZ Swiss-recognized diploma confirming advanced informatics application skills, covering PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Communication modules, designed for commercial apprentices seeking an advanced IKA qualification.
• BM Admission Exam Preparation Course (Vorbereitungskurs BM Aufnahmeprüfung) Targeted preparation course for full-time vocational baccalaureate (BM1/BM2) entrance exams covering German, French, English, and Mathematics, with 120 lessons total and modular enrollment options.
• Financial Accounting Preparation Course FHNW Mix-course preparing students for FHNW business economics programs by refreshing or deepening knowledge in all areas of financial accounting, developed in collaboration with FHNW School of Business. Uses Banana Software for practical application.
• Mathematics Preparation Course FHNW Mathematics preparation course for future FHNW School of Business students covering functions, equations, exponential/logarithmic functions, quadratic equations, and linear algebra, designed for those whose last math studies were over two years ago.
• Didactic Basic Module A EHB Certificate program for obtaining teaching authorization for part-time vocational school teachers and higher vocational school instructors, covering 300 learning hours (10 ECTS) with a professional competency assessment.
• Project Management Seminar Two-day seminar covering project planning from A to Z, including project organization, structure planning, schedule and resource management, controlling, and project closure, taught by an instructor with over 20 years of experience.
• Pflegewissen kompakt für Angehörige (Compact Care Knowledge for Relatives) Modular short courses on care topics for family caregivers, covering dementia, incontinence, palliative care, and pain management, designed to reduce uncertainty and strengthen caregiving competence.
• BLS-AED-SRC Complete Course (First Aid) First aid course covering theoretical knowledge and practical application of BLS-AED for cardiac arrest, including CPR, chest compressions, and defibrillator use on resuscitation mannequins.
• Startup-Workshop (Entrepreneurship) Five-module entrepreneurship workshop for apprentices and students, guiding participants from idea generation through business model development, MVP creation, product launch, marketing, and final presentation or liquidation.
• Raumvermietung (Space Rental) Rental of classrooms, meeting rooms, and auditorium/foyer spaces to external parties, managed through BBZ Olten's facilities at its Olten campus.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EFQMcoreOthers · 1 January 2023BBZ Olten received QUALIFIED BY EFQM certification in 2023, demonstrating organizational excellence and quality management.
• EfVETcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training membership, connecting BBZ Olten with international vocational education institutions.
• Cambridge EnglishminorOthersCambridge English Preparation Centre certification for English language education programs, offering internationally recognized language certificates.
• Schweizer Jugend forscht (Swiss Youth Research)minorOthersPartnership promoting youth participation in science and research activities.
• HKV NordwestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKooperationsangebot (cooperation offering) for professional development courses. HKV Nordwest handles administration and execution of Online Marketing Manager and E-Commerce Manager courses.
• Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with FHNW Hochschule für Wirtschaft to provide preparation courses for students admitted to FHNW programs, including accounting and mathematics preparatory courses developed jointly.
• Bildungsstadt OltencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 21 educational institutions in Olten working together to create an attractive educational and working environment. Includes FHNW, Kantonsschule Olten, various vocational schools, and education-related businesses.
• Solodaris StiftungminorOthersSocial foundation operating the Cafeteria Sansibar at GSBS Trimbach location, employing people with mental health challenges under professional supervision.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Höhere Fachschule Gesundheit Zentralschweiz (HFGZ): Tertiary-level nursing school analogous to BBZ Olten's HF Pflege, offering specializations and part-time study formats. Direct peer for the higher vocational nursing offering.
• Berufsbildungsschule Winterthur (BBW): Multi-division vocational education institution in Winterthur covering industrial, commercial, healthcare, and design apprenticeships. Comparable scale and product breadth to BBZ Olten.
• Bildungszentrum Bau und Gewerbe Luzern (BBZG): Lucerne's vocational education center focused on construction and trade apprenticeships. Comparable public-canton governance model and dual-education pathway.
• Berufsfachschule Aarau: Public vocational school in neighboring Canton Aargau providing commercial and industrial apprenticeship education. Directly comparable for cantonal-government-funded vocational delivery model.
• GIBZ (Gewerblich-Industrielle Berufsschule Zug): Canton Zug's vocational education center offering technical, industrial, and commercial apprenticeships with bridge programs and Berufsmaturität. Closely mirrors BBZ Olten's GIBS and KBS divisions in a nearby canton.
• Berufs- und Weiterbildungszentrum Zürich (BZZ): A large multi-division vocational education center in Zürich covering commercial, industrial, and healthcare apprenticeships plus adult continuing education. Operates the same public-sector dual-education model as BBZ Olten, serving as a direct comparable for scale, structure, and product mix.

Emerging players

• HKV Nordwest: Provider of Online Marketing Manager and E-Commerce Manager certifications co-delivered with BBZ Olten. Could be seen as a partial competitor in the adult continuing education certification space.

Others

• Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW): University of applied sciences in Northwestern Switzerland with which BBZ Olten partners on preparatory courses. Functions as a strategic downstream partner for student pathway rather than a competitor.
• SBFI (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation): Federal authority governing Swiss vocational education frameworks. Not a direct peer but the regulatory body under which BBZ Olten's qualifications are accredited.
• EHB (Eidgenössisches Hochschulinstitut für Berufsbildung): Swiss federal institute for vocational education that issues the Didaktikkurse EHB certification referenced by BBZ Olten. Functions as a teacher-training credentialing body rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bbzolten

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 BBZ Olten