COFTeN asbl

What COFTeN asbl does

COFTeN asbl is a Belgian non-profit socio-professional insertion organisation (OISP) founded in 1983 and headquartered at Rue de l'Abondance 40, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, in the Brussels-Capital Region. Its functional role is to deliver free, full-time vocational qualification training to unemployed job seekers who lack a secondary diploma (CESS), supporting their reintegration into sustainable employment. The organisation runs two qualifying programmes — Technicien.ne & Support PC/Réseaux (IT/technical support covering PC assembly, Windows/Linux operating systems, wired and wireless local networks, helpdesk skills in French/Dutch/English) and Collaborateur.trice administratif.ve (administrative assistant covering reception, office management, digital collaboration, accounting support, Dutch at A2 level, and an EVi virtual-company simulation connected to COFEP and PEN Worldwide). Each programme runs for approximately 13-15 months at 35 hours per week and includes a 7-week enterprise internship plus 8 weeks of job-insertion support, culminating in the Certificat de Compétences Acquises en Formation (CeCAF).

The underlying delivery model is human-capital intensive rather than technology-led: 16 full-time formateurs teach in small groups of up to 14 learners, supported by three guidance modalities (pedagogical, psycho-social, socio-professional) and an on-site childcare facility (Crèche "Les Quatre Saisons") that removes a key barrier for parent trainees. The organisation does not operate as a technology vendor — it does not sell software, licences, or platforms — and its technical footprint is limited to standard office productivity tools, networking equipment for hands-on PC training, and integration with public employment service (Actiris) workflows.

The revenue model is non-commercial and entirely dependent on public co-financing. The European Union, via the European Social Fund, contributes approximately 40% of total financing, with the remainder drawn from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the Brussels-Capital Region, Cocof, Actiris, Bruxelles Formation, and CEFORA. Training is free of charge to eligible participants, so there is no tuition revenue. The go-to-market motion is community-led: prospective trainees are recruited through public information sessions, online registration via the website and Actiris referrals, and competency assessments; graduate placement is supported through a direct employer-partnership network in Commission Paritaire 200. COFTeN serves roughly 100 trainees per year at a single Brussels site.

Name

COFTeN asbl

Legal name

COFTeN asbl

Website

https://coften.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COFTeN asbl is a Brussels-based non-profit OISP, founded in 1983, delivering free, full-time vocational training in IT support and administrative skills to roughly 100 unemployed job seekers per year, co-financed primarily by the European Social Fund and Belgian public institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

IT Support & End-User Computing (Helpdesk, Desktop, M365/Google Workspace) (EDABAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ), Training Delivery Services (Onsite/Virtual Instruction, Workshops, Coaching) (BPAEANAN)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Professional insertion programs
• IT technical training
• Administrative skills training
• Socio-professional integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public funding and co-financing: COFTeN is a non-profit association (asbl) funded primarily by public institutions. The European Union contributes approximately 40% of its total financing. Additional funding comes from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the Brussels-Capital Region, Cocof, Actiris, Bruxelles Formation, and other public bodies. Training is free for eligible unemployed job seekers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

COFTeN asbl is a non-profit socio-professional integration organization (OISP) founded in 1983 in Brussels that delivers two free, accredited vocational training programmes: Technicien.ne & Support PC/Réseaux (covering PC assembly, Windows/Linux operating systems, local networks, and helpdesk support) and Collaborateur.trice administratif.ve (covering administrative management, digital collaboration, accounting support, and Dutch at A2 level). Each programme runs for 13 months at 35 hours/week, includes a 7-week company internship and 8 weeks of job-insertion support, and awards a Certificat de Compétences Acquises en Formation (CeCAF). Training is provided free of charge to eligible unemployed job seekers registered with Actiris.

Product overview

COFTeN asbl is a socio-professional insertion organization (OISP) offering two full-time professional qualification training programs: Technicien.ne & Support PC/Réseaux (IT/technical track) and Collaborateur.trice administratif.ve (administrative/office track). Both programs run for 13 months at 35 hours/week with 7 weeks of enterprise internship. The IT program covers PC support, networking, and operating systems; the administrative program includes a Virtual Company (EVi) pedagogical tool connected to COFEP/PEN Worldwide networks. Supporting services include on-site childcare (Crèche Les Quatre Saisons) for trainees' children aged 0-3, and job insertion guidance. The EU co-finances approximately 40% of operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technicien.ne & Support PC/Réseaux A 13-month full-time qualifying training programme (35 hours/week) covering PC assembly, configuration, installation, maintenance and troubleshooting; Windows and Linux operating systems; wired and wireless local networks; peer-to-peer and centralized network management; technical helpdesk support in French, Dutch and English; and employment soft skills. Includes a 7-week enterprise internship and 8 weeks of job-insertion support, leading to a Certificat de Compétences Acquises en Formation (CeCAF). Targeted at unemployed job seekers without a CESS diploma.
• Collaborateur.trice administratif.ve A 13-month full-time qualifying training programme (35 hours/week) covering reception and communication, administrative management, digital collaboration, meeting and project coordination, accounting support, and Dutch language at A2 level. Includes a 7-week enterprise internship and participation in the Entreprise Virtuelle (EVi) pedagogical project connected to the COFEP and PEN Worldwide networks. Leads to a Certificat de Compétences Acquises en Formation (CeCAF). Targeted at unemployed job seekers without a CESS diploma.
• Crèche « Les Quatre Saisons » On-site childcare service for children aged 0 to 3 years whose parents are trainees at COFTeN's vocational training centre. Located at Place Bossuet 12, 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels. Supports parent trainees in completing their vocational qualification by removing childcare barriers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 100 trainees per year complete COFTeN programmes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Commune de Saint-Josse-ten-NoodeminorOthersThe local municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode provides support to COFTeN and is also a key local partner for community integration initiatives.
• Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance (ONE)minorOthersONE provides institutional support and is associated with COFTeN's on-site nursery 'Les Quatre Saisons' for children of trainee parents.
• DigitalcityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigitalcity is a Brussels-based digital skills and technology ecosystem initiative that collaborates with COFTeN to strengthen IT training and employment pathways.
• COFEP (Réseau belge des Entreprises Virtuelles)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFEP is the Belgian network of virtual companies used in education and training. COFTeN's administrative trainees participate in the Entreprise Virtuelle (EVi) project, gaining practical experience in simulated company operations.
• PEN Worldwide (Practical Entrepreneurship Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of 7,500 virtual companies in over 40 countries. COFTeN's administrative trainees connect to PEN Worldwide through the EVi project, developing cross-border business skills and international collaboration experience.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Actiris: Brussels public employment service that registers job seekers and co-finances COFTeN. Comparable as the upstream referral and funding institution shaping demand for socio-professional insertion training in Brussels-Capital.

Direct peers

• Bruxelles Formation: Brussels-Capital's regional vocational training body that co-finances and operates training programmes for job seekers. Directly comparable as the public counterpart delivering qualifying formations, including IT and administrative tracks, for the same Actiris-registered population COFTeN serves.
• Mission Locale de Bruxelles: Brussels-based socio-professional insertion organisation serving NEETs and disadvantaged job seekers with holistic guidance and employer placement. Comparable as a fellow OISP-style actor offering free, multi-dimensional (psycho-social + professional) support to the same target population.
• Bruxelles-Capitale Formation PME (EFP): Brussels vocational training centre (formerly Centre PME) delivering qualifying programmes including IT, administrative, and language tracks for job seekers. Comparable as a co-located peer offering state-recognised certifications via the same public-employment ecosystem.

Regional players

• IFAPME: Wallonia's network of vocational training centres for self-employed and skilled-trade careers. Comparable as a recognised training provider delivering qualifying programmes, internship placements, and certifications to adult job seekers, despite a stronger apprenticeship focus.
• Le Forem: Wallonia's regional public employment and vocational training service, structurally analogous to Actiris + Bruxelles Formation. Comparable as a parallel public training-and-employment ecosystem that competes for the same funder mindset and operates qualifying formations (including IT and administrative tracks).

Others

• CEFORA: Sectoral continuing training fund for white-collar workers (Commission Paritaire 200). Comparable as a co-financier and ecosystem partner that operates training pathways for the same employer segment COFTeN places graduates into.

Emerging players

• Interface3Namur: Specialised non-profit training centre focused on IT skills for underrepresented groups, including unemployed adults. Comparable as a niche OISP-style operator delivering certified IT training combined with socio-professional support in the same Wallonia-Brussels education ecosystem.
• Lire et Écrire Bruxelles: Brussels-based adult literacy and socio-professional training association. Comparable as a non-profit OISP operating in the same public funding ecosystem with overlapping target populations (low-qualified adult job seekers) and similar holistic-pedagogy methodology.
• Technofutur TIC: Belgian digital-skills training centre delivering IT and new-technology certifications to job seekers and employees. Comparable as a vocational IT trainer operating in the same institutional co-financing framework and targeting similar digital-skills placement outcomes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Coften-asbl-366476910118879
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coftenasbl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 COFTeN asbl