Name

Commerce Training

Legal name

Commerce Training

Website

https://commercetraining.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Training and Career Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail & E-commerce (EDABALAX)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI)

Keywords

• Sectoral training fund
• Retail workforce training
• Vocational lifelong learning
• Dual learning programs
• Diversity inclusion platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels (Auderghem)

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Social Fund Financing: All sectoral training is funded by the social funds (paritaire comités 119, 202, 311, and 312). Training is provided free of charge to eligible employees and their employers. The social funds finance the trainers, course materials, and logistics directly, with no revenue flowing from participants. Employer subsidy (€80 per half-day per participant in open enrollment) is paid automatically at the start of the following year based on attendance records.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Commerce Training is a Belgian non-profit, jointly-managed sectoral training and career fund that delivers free vocational training, lifelong learning programs, recruitment support, diversity & inclusion resources, and career services to employees and employers in the food trade and retail sectors. Services are delivered through open enrollment sessions across Belgium, in-company sessions at employer sites (quota-based), e-learning (via the upcoming Commerce Training Academy), Welcome Days recruitment events, and the GOB specialized job coaching service — all fully funded by the social funds of joint committees 119, 202, 311, and 312.

Product overview

Commerce Training operates as a training and career fund for the retail and food trade sectors in Belgium, established by social partners of joint committees 119, 202, 311, and 312. The platform offers a unified portfolio centered on the Sectoral Training Portfolio, which provides free training through three delivery formats: Open Enrollment (in-person sessions across Belgium), Incompany Training (on-site customized sessions), and E-learning (online modules via Commerce Training Academy). Supporting offerings include Welcome Days for employer branding, GOB specialized job coaching services, dual learning programs, the Diversity & Inclusion Platform with sector non-discrimination codes, learning impact optimization resources, and Werkbaar Werk initiatives for employee well-being. Annual events like Retail Run complement the training ecosystem. All training is free for employees of the affiliated joint committees, funded by the respective social funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sectoral Training Portfolio (Sectoraal Opleidingsaanbod) Core portfolio of free training programs for employees of Belgian joint committees 119, 202, 311, and 312 covering food trade and retail sectors, delivered through open enrollment, in-company, and e-learning formats.
• Open Enrollment Training (Open Aanbod) Free in-person training sessions organized across Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia) where employees from different companies attend together to share experiences and exchange best practices; employers receive €80/half-day per participant subsidy.
• In-Company Training (Incompany Opleidingen) Free customized training delivered at the employer's premises, with session allocations based on company size (10–400 sessions per year depending on number of employees in relevant PCs); minimum 8 participants per session; trainer costs funded directly by the social fund.
• Duaal Leren / Formation en Alternance (Dual Learning Program) Programs supporting dual learning (workplace learning) and alternation training, connecting educational institutions with retail and food trade employers, including qualification premiums for qualifying workplace learning.
• GOB Specialized Training, Guidance and Mediation Service Specialized job coaching for employees needing support due to health issues or employment barriers, and specialized workplace learning for job seekers facing employment obstacles, delivered in collaboration with VDAB and accredited providers such as Vokans.
• Welcome Days Recruitment-focused events coordinated by Commerce Training with VDAB and local schools, where teachers and career counselors visit retail companies to learn about their work environment, culture, and career opportunities, strengthening candidate pipelines.
• Diversity & Inclusion Platform (Platform Diversiteit & Inclusie) Online resource platform providing guidance for implementing diversified and inclusive HR policies in retail, including sectoral non-discrimination codes, accessibility checklists, and best practices from retail sector companies.
• E-learning (Commerce Training Academy) Online learning modules accessible to all employees of joint committees 119, 202, 311, and 312, hosted on the new Commerce Training Academy learning platform (launching soon).

Quantifiable outcome

• Belgian commerce sector invests 2.2% of wage costs in lifelong learning vs. 1.5% European average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ComeoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComeos is the Belgian federation for commerce and lifestyle. As a joint committee partner, Comeos co-governs Commerce Training and represents employer interests of PC 119, 202, 311, and 312. Comeos also co-initiated the 'Après vous' accessibility platform with Inter and CAWaB.
• UnizocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnizo (Unie van Zelfstandige Ondernemers) is a Belgian SME employer organization. As a joint committee partner, Unizo co-governs Commerce Training and represents small and medium-sized retail employers.
• UCMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCM (Union des Classes Moyennes) is a Belgian independent business organization. As a joint committee partner, UCM co-governs Commerce Training representing independent retail employers.
• ABVV-BBTKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABVV-BBTK (Algemeen Bond van Spoorwegpersoneel - BTB / Belgian Transport Workers) is a Belgian trade union. As a joint committee social partner, ABVV-BBTK co-governs Commerce Training.
• ACLVBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACLVB (Algemene Centrale der Liberale Vakbonden van België) is a Belgian trade union. As a joint committee social partner, ACLVB co-governs Commerce Training.
• ACV Voeding & DienstencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACV Voeding & Diensten (ACV-CSC Voeding & Diensten) is a Belgian Christian trade union active in food commerce and services. As a joint committee social partner, ACV co-governs Commerce Training.
• ABVV HorvalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABVV Horval is a Belgian trade union (穿上 ABVV federation) active in retail and logistics. As a joint committee social partner, ABVV Horval co-governs Commerce Training.
• ACV PulscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACV Puls is a Belgian trade union (穿上 ACV federation) representing white-collar and public sector workers. As a joint committee social partner, ACV Puls co-governs Commerce Training.
• CSC CNEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSC CNE (Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens / Neutre) is a Belgian trade union. As a joint committee social partner, CSC CNE co-governs Commerce Training.
• VDABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDAB (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding) is the Flemish public employment service. Listed as a key partner on the Commerce Training website. VDAB is involved in dual learning coordination, Welcome Days, and GOB (specialized job coaching) initiatives.
• ActiriscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActiris is the Brussels public employment service. Listed as a key partner on the Commerce Training website. Actiris collaborates on diversity and inclusion initiatives (e.g., Carrefour Belgium's Brussels Diversity Plan) and Welcome Days.
• Le ForemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLe Forem is the Walloon public employment service. Listed as a key partner on the Commerce Training website. Le Forem advisors assist with recruitment of people with disabilities in Wallonia and are involved in inclusive recruitment support.
• Bruxelles FormationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBruxelles Formation is the Brussels regional training service. Listed as a partner on the Commerce Training website.
• Ostbelgien (Arbeitsamt)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArbeitsamt Ostbelgien is the employment service for the German-speaking community of Belgium. Listed as a partner on the Commerce Training website.
• ForemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLe Forem is the Walloon public employment and training service. Listed as a partner on the Commerce Training website alongside Bruxelles Formation and Ostbelgien.
• IFAPMEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFAPME (Institut wallon de Formation en Alternance et des Independentistes et des Classes Moyennes) is the Walloon agency for apprenticeship and SME training. Listed as a partner on the Commerce Training website.
• SFPME/EFPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFPME (Service de Formation des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises) and EFP are Walloon/SME training services. Listed as partners on the Commerce Training website.
• OFFAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOFFA (Office francophone de la Formation en Alternance) is the French-language agency for dual learning in Wallonia. Listed as a partner on the Commerce Training website.
• CevoracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCevora is the Belgian training center for the services sector. Commerce Training facilitates access to Cevora's training catalog for employees of PC 202, 311, and 312, manages account creation on Cevora's Karibu platform, and refers to Cevora as the primary external training partner.
• Unia / eDivcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnia is Belgium's interfederal center for equal opportunities. Commerce Training uses Unia's eDiv platform for diversity and inclusion training resources, guidelines, and best practices for retailers. Unia's anti-discrimination tools and learning modules are integrated into Commerce Training's D&I offerings.
• VokansminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVokans is a GOB (Gespecialiseerde Opleidings-Begeleidings- en Bemiddelingsdienst) — an accredited specialized training, support, and mediation service provider. Vokans provides job coaching for employees with health barriers, working with VDAB-subsidized programs.
• I-DiversominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerI-Diverso is a Belgian organization specializing in diversity and inclusion. IKEA Belgium collaborates with I-Diverso for refugee training programs. Commerce Training features I-Diverso as a D&I support organization on its platform.
• JobroadminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJobroad is a Belgian organization supporting reintegration into work for people with barriers. IKEA Belgium and Commerce Training's platform feature Jobroad as a support organization for inclusive recruitment.
• AttentiaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAttentia is a Belgian HR and well-being services company. IKEA Belgium is developing a tool in partnership with Attentia to support its personnel policy around diversity and well-being.
• Après vous (Comeos / Inter / CAWaB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner'Après vous' is a Belgian accessibility initiative co-founded by Comeos (retail federation), Inter (Flemish accessibility center), and CAWaB (Wallonia-Brussels accessibility center). Commerce Training promotes 'Après vous' webcasts and training to retailers on making commercial environments accessible to people with disabilities.
• ObeliskminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerObelisk is a Belgian training and consultancy firm. Obelisk trainers deliver Commerce Training courses including 'Recognizing and Supporting Physical and Mental Well-being' (for managers) and 'More Resilience During Times of Change'. Heidi Peeters of Obelisk is featured as a senior trainer.
• Netwerk tegen ArmoedeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwerk tegen Armoede (Network Against Poverty) collaborated with Colruyt Group on a workplace poverty audit in its Ollignies distribution center, as part of D&I initiatives featured on the Commerce Training platform.
• Collibri FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollibri Foundation is the corporate foundation of Colruyt Group, focused on providing better future chances for youth in precarious situations through training, mentorship, and exchange programs. Featured as a D&I best practice on Commerce Training's platform.
• DiversicomminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDiversicom is a Belgian organization specializing in disability in the workplace. Listed as a Brussels-based support organization for inclusive recruitment and employment of people with disabilities.
• SynkroonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSynkroon is a Belgian organization ('Actief met talent') supporting people with disabilities and long-term unemployed into work. Listed as a Brussels and Flanders support organization.
• Groep IntrominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGroep Intro is a Belgian organization supporting youth and people with barriers into employment. Listed as a Flanders and Brussels support organization.
• EminominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmino is a Belgian organization ('Laat je talent werken!') supporting people with disabilities and long-term unemployed. Listed as a Flanders and Brussels support organization.
• PhareminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPhare (Personne Handicapée Autonomie Recherchée) is a Brussels organization supporting people with disabilities. Listed as a Brussels support organization and as the body handling workplace adaptation requests in Brussels.
• GTB (Grenzeloos Talent Bloeit)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGTB ('Elk talent verdient passend werk') is a Flemish organization supporting people with disabilities into fitting employment. Listed as a Flanders-wide support organization.
• AVIQminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAVIQ (Agence pour une Vie de Qualité) is the Walloon agency for people with disabilities and quality of life. Listed as a Wallonia-wide support organization for workplace adaptations and inclusive employment.
• UnagominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUnago is a Belgian organization focused on social recruitment. Listed as a Brussels support organization for long-term unemployed and ex-detainees.
• Le Forem (Wallonia)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLe Forem is the Walloon public employment service, also listed as a Wallonia-wide support organization for youth, long-term unemployed, and migrants via its provincial MIRE network.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• VDAB: Flemish public employment service that co-delivers retail training, dual-learning pathways, and Welcome Days with Commerce Training. Operates as a broader workforce-development incumbent in Flanders, overlapping on retail career support, employer engagement, and GOB job coaching.
• Actiris: Brussels public employment service that co-runs Commerce Training's Welcome Days and diversity & inclusion initiatives (e.g., Carrefour Brussels Diversity Plan). Acts as a regional public-sector incumbent overlapping on retail-sector workforce development in Brussels.
• Bruxelles Formation: Brussels regional training service. Listed as a partner on the Commerce Training website and overlaps as a publicly funded trainer in the Brussels-Capital Region, particularly on language and professional skills relevant to retail workforces.
• Le Forem: Walloon public employment and training service. Partners with Commerce Training on inclusive recruitment, Welcome Days, and Walloon-based workforce development for retail and food-commerce workers — overlaps on training delivery and career services in Wallonia.

Direct peers

• Cevora: Belgian training center for the services sector that delivers core sectoral training through the Karibu platform. Commerce Training explicitly facilitates access to Cevora's catalog for PC 202, 311, 312 employees, making it a direct operational peer and primary external training partner rather than a competitor for shared cohorts.

Others

• Comeos: Belgian federation for commerce and lifestyle that co-governs Commerce Training as a joint-committee social partner. Co-founded the 'Après vous' accessibility initiative. Functionally an adjacent/ecosystem enabler rather than a peer training provider.
• Unia: Belgian interfederal center for equal opportunities whose eDiv platform provides D&I training resources, guidelines, and e-learning modules that Commerce Training integrates into its D&I offerings. Acts as a content/enabler partner rather than a direct training competitor.

Emerging players

• SFPME/EFP: Walloon/Brussels training services for small and medium-sized enterprises. Listed as a partner to Commerce Training — comparable in serving SME training needs including in retail, but with a broader portfolio across trades.
• IFAPME: Walloon agency for apprenticeship and SME training. Listed as a Commerce Training partner — comparable operating model focused on dual/apprenticeship training, but with a broader SME remit beyond retail.

Regional players

• OFFA: Walloon French-language agency for dual learning. Complements Commerce Training's dual-learning activities in Wallonia under a different jurisdictional mandate — a regional peer for the 'formation en alternance' arm of the offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/commerce-training

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Commerce Training