Gabe gGmbH

What Gabe gGmbH does

Gabe gGmbH (legal name: Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Arbeit und Ausbildung im Bergischen Land) is a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH) established in 1995 in Solingen, Germany, and registered at Amtsgericht Wuppertal under HR B 16751. It is wholly owned by Jugendberufshilfe und Sozialarbeit e.V. and operates as a member of Diakonie RWL, the Protestant church's social welfare network in Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe. The organization is AZAV-certified as a Bildungsträger, qualifying it to deliver government-commissioned vocational training, career counseling, and employment integration programs. Its primary funders are public-sector bodies: the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter Solingen, Jobcenter Remscheid, the NRW Ministry for Labor, Health and Social Affairs, the Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf, and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Gabe gGmbH delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs targeting disadvantaged individuals across the Bergisches Land region. Core training and employment services include the MOVE vocational orientation program, dual vocational training in integrative and cooperative models (Ausbildung), application-process coaching, the Vermittlungszentrum 50plus for older workers, and the Co.Be. coaching and accompaniment program operated jointly with ZIB. Social-pedagogical counseling is delivered through the SALZ (Beratungsstelle Arbeit) center, which also supports workers in precarious employment situations. The organization generates supplemental revenue through social enterprises: Soka (Solinger Kaufhaus), a 2,000+ m² second-hand department store across four floors with 20,000+ articles that doubles as a retail-training venue, and the "fifty fifty – Die Straße" street magazine, which provides income for homeless vendors. Additional minor revenue comes from rental of 30 bicycle storage boxes at Solingen main station.

The underlying technology stack is described as standard IT infrastructure for training center management, retail operations, and administration, with no proprietary platforms disclosed. Services are distributed primarily through referrals from Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit, with Soka open to direct consumer purchases. Customers are exclusively public institutions (government commissioning bodies and ESF) and low-income individual consumers at Soka; the customer mix implies high concentration in a small number of public funders and concentrated reliance on commissioned contract cycles. The managing director is Hubert Brams, who succeeded Angela Salscheider post-2019.

Name

Gabe gGmbH

Legal name

Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Arbeit und Ausbildung im Bergischen Land — Gabe gGmbH

Website

https://gabe-ggmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gabe gGmbH is a non-profit social services organization based in Solingen, Germany, delivering AZAV-certified vocational training, career counseling, and employment integration programs funded primarily by public employment agencies, jobcenters, and the European Social Fund for disadvantaged individuals across the Bergisches Land region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Employment Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Employment integration programs
• Career counseling services
• Social retail operations
• Vocational preparation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Solingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Program Funding: Primary revenue from commissioned programs funded by public employment agencies and jobcenters (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter Solingen, Jobcenter Remscheid), the NRW Ministry of Labor, Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf, and ESF (European Social Fund). These funds support vocational training, career counseling, and employment integration programs.
2. Social Retail (Soka): Revenue from the Solinger Kaufhaus (Soka), a second-hand department store selling donated goods. Proceeds support the organization's social mission and training programs. Additional revenue streams include rental income and modest surplus from retail operations.
3. Donations and Charitable Support: Donations from individuals and organizations, including Sachspenden (in-kind donations of goods) and financial contributions that support training equipment, excursions, and operational enhancements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Gabe gGmbH is a non-profit social services organization that delivers vocational training, career counseling, application coaching, and employment integration programs for disadvantaged individuals in the Bergisches Land region of Germany. Programs are funded through contracts with public employment agencies, jobcenters, and the European Social Fund, and include AZAV-certified dual vocational training (Ausbildung) in cooperative models, career orientation (MOVE), the Vermittlungszentrum 50plus for older workers, and the SALZ counseling center. The organization also runs social enterprises — the Soka second-hand department store and the fifty fifty – Die Straße street magazine — that provide work placements for program participants.

Product overview

Gabe gGmbH is a non-profit social services organization (gemeinnützige Gesellschaft) providing a portfolio of interconnected employment and training services for disadvantaged individuals in the Bergisches Land region. The organization operates through multiple programs including Berufsorientierung (MOVE) for career exploration, Berufsausbildung for vocational training in integrative and cooperative models, Bewerbungsprozess support for job application assistance, and Vermittlung und Beratung (50plus) for older workers. Key social enterprises include Soka (Solinger Kaufhaus), a second-hand department store providing retail training, and fifty fifty – Die Straße, a street magazine sold by homeless vendors. The organization also operates the SALZ employment counseling center and CoBe coaching program. All services are delivered through a certified education provider (AZAV) framework in partnership with job centers and employment agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Soka (Solinger Kaufhaus): Second-hand department store in Solingen, offering affordable used goods including clothing, furniture, building materials, and household items across 4 floors and over 2,000 m² of sales space.
• fifty fifty - Die Straße
• SALZ / Beratungsstelle Arbeit

Products and services

• Berufsorientierung (MOVE) Vocational preparation program that helps young people identify strengths and explore career paths through practical hands-on experience in various fields.
• Beratung (Career Counseling) Professional counseling for unemployed individuals and those at risk of unemployment, providing guidance on career decisions and job search strategies.
• Bewerbungsprozess erfolgreich gestalten Application process support including resume creation, interview preparation, and job search assistance to help individuals successfully enter the workforce.
• Ausbildung (Dual Vocational Training) Dual vocational training programs offered in integrative and cooperative models, providing theoretical and practical qualification in various professions for disadvantaged youth.
• Arbeit als Gelegenheit
• Vermittlungszentrum 50plus Job placement and counseling services specifically designed for unemployed individuals over 50, offering coaching, accompaniment, and job placement support to combat skills shortages and demographic change.
• Soka (Solinger Kaufhaus) Second-hand department store operating across 2,000+ m² with over 20,000 items, offering affordable used goods while providing vocational training in retail and logistics for unemployed individuals.
• fifty fifty – Die Straße Street magazine sold by homeless and disadvantaged individuals, enabling them to earn income through self-employment rather than begging, with proceeds supporting their reintegration into society.
• SALZ (Beratungsstelle Arbeit) Independent employment counseling center providing free, confidential advice on social benefits, labor rights, job applications, and support for workers in precarious employment situations.
• Co.Be. (Coaching und Begleitung) Coaching and accompaniment program providing one-on-one career counseling, housing support, and workshops for unemployed individuals to help them independently pursue employment or training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27-30 Auszubildenden (trainees) successfully complete vocational training annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Jugendberufshilfe und Sozialarbeit e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization of Gabe gGmbH. The association is the sole shareholder and founding entity, providing institutional support and alignment with the broader social services mission.
• Diakonie RWL (Diakonisches Werk Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGabe gGmbH is a member of Diakonie RWL, aligning the organization with the Protestant church's social welfare network and Christian charitable mission. Provides institutional framework and network access.
• Jobcenter SolingencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government commissioning body for employment integration programs. Funds and oversees vocational training and placement services for long-term unemployed and welfare recipients.
• Jobcenter RemscheidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional jobcenter providing funding and referrals for employment programs in the Remscheid area, complementing services from Jobcenter Solingen.
• Agentur für Arbeit Solingen-WuppertalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Employment Agency regional office that provides funding for career counseling, placement services, and vocational training programs through Gabe gGmbH.
• Ministerium für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState ministry providing policy direction and funding for labor market programs, including support for the Beratungsstellen Arbeit (SALZ) network across NRW.
• Europäischer Sozialfonds (ESF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Social Fund co-financing employment and training initiatives, particularly for the Beratungsstelle Arbeit services supporting workers in precarious employment situations.
• ZIB (Zentrum für Integration und Bildung GmbH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the Vermittlungszentrum 50plus and Co.Be. (Coaching und Begleitung) projects, providing job placement services for older workers and coaching for unemployed individuals.
• AOK RheinlandminorOthersRegional health insurance provider partnership for employee health insurance services. Philip Heck listed as AOK contact representative.
• Regional EmployersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative training partnerships with companies throughout the Bergisches Land region. Employers provide practical training placements for apprentices in the kooperative Ausbildung model, from retail and logistics to industrial trades.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BBQ Berufliche Bildung gGmbH: Non-profit AZAV-certified Bildungsträger providing vocational training, career orientation, and employment integration programs in Baden-Württemberg. Closely comparable as a regional non-profit competing for the same type of Jobcenter-commissioned training contracts.
• Internationaler Bund (IB): Large German non-profit federation offering vocational training, youth employment services, and social integration programs nationwide. Directly comparable as a multi-program provider serving disadvantaged populations through SGB II/III-funded contracts.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: Adult education provider offering vocational training, retraining, and integration programs nationwide with strong public-funder relationships. Comparable portfolio of AZAV-certified programs and SGB-funded delivery.
• Bildungswerk der Sächsischen Wirtschaft: Vocational training and qualification provider focused on employment-market integration through cooperative training with regional employers. Comparable dual-system vocational training approach and Jobcenter-funded delivery.
• Kolping Bildungswerk: Catholic-affiliated vocational training and employment-services network operating across Germany. Comparable mix of vocational preparation, dual training, and employment-integration programs for disadvantaged populations.
• IN VIA Deutschland: Catholic social welfare organization focused on vocational training and employment services for young people, women, and disadvantaged groups. Comparable mission, target populations, and Jobcenter-commissioned delivery model.
• Werkstatt Frankfurt gGmbH: Social enterprise integrating vocational training with real-work production and retail operations for disadvantaged populations. Closely comparable model combining earned-revenue enterprises (workshops, retail) with publicly commissioned training programs.
• bfz (Berufsförderungszentrum) gGmbH: Non-profit vocational qualification and training provider operating AZAV-certified programs across Germany, including reintegration and qualification measures for unemployed adults. Directly competes for the same Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Caritasverband für die Diözese: Large nationwide Catholic social welfare umbrella organization operating employment, training, and counseling services as part of a much broader social-services portfolio. Overlaps significantly on training and integration services but operates at far greater scale.

Regional players

• Volkshochschule Solingen: Municipal adult education center operating in the same Solingen catchment. Regional overlap on continuing education and workforce-skills programs, though its mandate is broader and less focused on employment integration of disadvantaged cohorts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gabe-ggmbh

Compliance1 record

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 Gabe gGmbH