What Bildungsakademie Ulm does

Bildungsakademie Ulm is the vocational training and continuing education arm of Handwerkskammer Ulm, a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (public-law corporation) established around 1900 to represent skilled trades businesses in the Ostalb-Bodensee region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The organization operates from its Olgastraße 72 headquarters in Ulm and delivers programs through multiple physical and digital channels: the Bildungsakademie Ulm and Bildungsakademie Friedrichshafen training academies, the specialized Weiterbildungszentrum für innovative Energietechnologien (WBZU) for energy technologies, five regional Außenstellen offices (Ravensburg, Heidenheim, Aalen, Biberach, Schwäbisch Gmünd), the eCampus learning management system, and a suite of mobile applications. It serves approximately 21,000 mandatory member businesses across more than 90 trades, roughly 2,850 new apprentices per year, over 4,800 female-led businesses, and 600+ young women starting apprenticeships in 2025. Note: the input data lists Bildungsakademie Ulm's own headcount at 1-10, while the broader Handwerkskammer Ulm organization maintains an extensive multi-location staff directory.

The organization's service portfolio spans the full lifecycle of a trades career, including apprenticeship consulting, journeyman and master craftsman examinations (Meisterprüfung, Fortbildungsprüfung), business consulting (legal, technical, digitalization), talent acquisition including international recruitment via the Beschäftigungsbrücke Indien program with Bundesagentur für Arbeit, business succession services through the Zentrum für Betriebsnachfolge (ZEN), and a customer portal built on UNIPLUS X3 ERP infrastructure. Its technology stack includes the generative AI-powered AI Assistant HWKI for customer service, the eCampus LMS, four mobile applications (Lehrstellenradar for apprenticeship search, Karriere Lotse 2.0 for career guidance, Handwerkerradar for finding tradespeople, Sachverständigenradar for expert witness lookup), and Microsoft Booking for self-service appointment scheduling.

Revenue derives from a hybrid of mandatory membership fees from registered Handwerksrolle businesses, course fees for Meisterkurse and continuing education seminars, examination fees (Gesellenprüfung, Meisterprüfung, Fortbildungsprüfung), and government subsidies — including 722,000 euros from Baden-Württemberg in 2025 for Bildungsstätten infrastructure and over 3.5 million euros in Meisterprämie disbursements passing through the chamber. The organization maintains 650 Bildungspartnerschaften with schools and operates through institutional partnerships with Microsoft, LogMeIn, UNIPLUS Software, and rapidmail, alongside umbrella ties to national craft associations including the Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (ZDH). Leadership comprises President Katja Maier and Managing Director Dr. Tobias Mehlich, the latter having received the ZDH Handwerkszeichen in Gold.

Name

Bildungsakademie Ulm

Legal name

Handwerkskammer Ulm

Website

https://hwk-ulm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Public-law vocational training arm of Handwerkskammer Ulm, providing Meisterprüfung examinations, continuing education, and apprenticeship services to approximately 21,000 skilled trades businesses across the Ostalb-Bodensee region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Continuing Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry-Specific Technical & Certification Prep (e.g., Construction, Manufacturing, Energy) (EDAGANAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electronics Technician Training (Analog/Digital) (EDAOABAG), Occupational Safety, OSHA & Workplace Compliance Training (EDAOAMAK), Ergonomics & Manual Handling / Material Handling Safety (EDABAEAJ)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Continuing education courses
• Master craftsman certification
• Apprenticeship placement
• Skilled trades training

Headquarters

HQ city

Ulm, Baden-Württemberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational Training and Continuing Education Courses: Revenue from course fees for vocational training programs, master craftsman courses (Meisterkurse), continuing education seminars, and specialized training programs offered at Bildungsakademie Ulm and Bildungsakademie Friedrichshafen.
2. Membership Fees: Handwerkskammer Ulm charges membership fees to businesses registered in the Handwerksrolle (crafts register). As a public-law corporation (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts), it operates with mandatory membership for crafts businesses.
3. Examination Fees: Fees for administering journeyman and master craftsman examinations (Gesellenprüfung, Meisterprüfung, Fortbildungsprüfung).
4. Government Funding and Subsidies: State funding for vocational training infrastructure (e.g., 722,000 euros from Baden-Württemberg for training facilities), project funding for initiatives like Weiterbildungsscout (The Chänce), and support for apprenticeship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bildungsakademie Ulm operates as the educational arm of Handwerkskammer Ulm, providing vocational training, master craftsman and advanced training examinations (Meisterprüfungen and Fortbildungsprüfungen), continuing education courses, apprenticeship consulting, and recognition of foreign professional qualifications for the skilled trades sector. Services are delivered through physical training academies in Ulm and Friedrichshafen, a specialized WBZU energy technology training center, five regional offices, an eCampus online learning platform, and mobile applications.

Product overview

Bildungsakademie Ulm operates as the educational arm of Handwerkskammer Ulm, providing vocational training, continuing education, and professional development for the skilled trades sector. The organization consists of multiple facilities including Bildungsakademie Ulm, Bildungsakademie Friedrichshafen, and the Weiterbildungszentrum für innovative Energietechnologien (WBZU). Services include apprenticeship consulting, master craftsman examinations (Meisterprüfungen), advanced professional examinations (Fortbildungsprüfungen), and recognition of foreign qualifications. The organization also offers mobile applications including Karriere Lotse 2.0 for career guidance, Handwerkerradar for finding tradespeople, Lehrstellenradar for apprenticeship placement, and Sachverständigennavi as an expert database.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bildungsakademie Ulm: Educational institution offering vocational training and continuing education courses for skilled trades
• Bildungsakademie Friedrichshafen
• WBZU (Weiterbildungszentrum für innovative Energietechnologien)

Products and services

• Bildungsakademie Ulm Training Academy Primary training institution of Handwerkskammer Ulm offering vocational courses, master craftsman programs, continuing education seminars, and examination administration for the skilled trades sector. Located in Ulm.
• Bildungsakademie Friedrichshafen Training Academy Secondary training location of Handwerkskammer Ulm offering vocational courses and continuing education seminars in the Friedrichshafen/Bodensee area of the region.
• Weiterbildungszentrum für innovative Energietechnologien (WBZU) Specialized training center focused on innovative energy technologies for the skilled trades sector, including courses in building energy consulting and renewable energy systems.
• Meisterprüfungen (Master Craftsman Examinations) Statutory master craftsman examination services administered across various trades, enabling journeymen to obtain the Meister title required for business leadership and access to the 1,500 Euro Meisterprämie subsidy.
• Fortbildungsprüfungen (Advanced Training Examinations) Advanced professional examination services for continued qualification of skilled tradespeople, supporting career advancement certifications including Geprüfter Betriebswirt (HwO).
• Berufsanerkennung (Foreign Qualification Recognition) Recognition of foreign professional qualifications services including Anpassungsqualifizierung and Berufsvalidierung under the BQFG framework, supporting integration of international skilled workers into the German trades.
• Ausbildungsberatung (Apprenticeship Consulting) Apprenticeship consulting services supporting companies and young people in vocational training matters, including training contract administration, apprenticeship placement, and Ausbildungsbegleitung.
• Lehrstellenradar App Mobile application enabling young people to find apprenticeship positions (Lehrstellen) directly on their smartphones in the Ostalb-Bodensee region.
• Karriere Lotse 2.0 App Career guidance mobile application for the skilled trades sector, supporting career progression and orientation in the crafts industry.
• Handwerkerradar App Mobile application connecting consumers with appropriate tradespeople in their area across the chamber's jurisdiction.
• Sachverständigenradar App Database mobile application for expert witnesses (Sachverständige) in the trades sector, enabling searches for qualified expert witnesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,850 new apprentices trained annually in the region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the Beschäftigungsbrücke Indien (Employment Bridge India) program, which brings Indian apprentices to Germany. 11 apprentices arrived in late 2024 under this program.
• Amt für Flüchtlinge und Integration des Landratsamtes Alb-Donau-KreiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for career counseling for refugees - Handwerkskammer Ulm provides vocational guidance to refugees in cooperation with the refugee office, facilitating entry into skilled trades careers. Auftaktveranstaltung (launch event) held at Gemeinschaftsunterkunft Laichingen.
• Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und JugendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal ministry co-sponsoring Girls' Day (Aktionstag) activities at Bildungsakademien Ulm and Friedrichshafen, which attract over 130 participants for career exploration in trades.
• Bundesministerium für Bildung und ForschungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal ministry co-sponsoring Girls' Day as part of national initiative to introduce girls to underrepresented professions in trades, technology, IT and sciences.
• UNIPLUS Software GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing website CMS, customer portal infrastructure (X3 ERP system), and media asset management. Responsible for the design and HTML templates of the Handwerkskammer website.
• Microsoft CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Microsoft Teams for online meetings and webinars, Microsoft Forms for customer surveys, and Microsoft Booking for appointment scheduling.
• Dachverbände (National Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organizations for German crafts sector including Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (ZDH). Dr. Tobias Mehlich received ZDH's highest honor (Handwerkszeichen in Gold) in recognition of service to the trades.
• Schulen (Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 650 Bildungspartnerschaften (school-business partnerships) across the region, providing career orientation and apprenticeship preparation for students.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Industrie- und Handelskammer Ulm: Parallel Chamber of Industry and Commerce serving the same Ulm geography but covering non-craft commercial sectors. Adjacent public-law institution with overlapping continuing-education and examination functions but a different statutory mandate.
• DIHK-Bildungs-GmbH: Central education provider of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) system, offering standardized vocational training and IHK certifications. Sibling public-law training organization covering a parallel but adjacent statutory sector.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: Continuing education arm of TÜV Rheinland offering professional certifications and vocational training programs, including skilled-trades and energy/building topics that overlap with WBZU offerings.
• DEKRA Akademie: Large private vocational training provider (part of DEKRA Group) offering technical and trade-related certifications, continuing education, and qualification programs. Competes in the same continuing-education segment for trades and industrial upskilling.

Direct peers

• Handwerkskammer Stuttgart: Another regional German Chamber of Crafts with identical statutory mandate (vocational training, Meisterprüfungen, member services for skilled trades). Closest structural peer in neighboring Baden-Württemberg and operates Bildungsakademien with similar offerings.
• Handwerkskammer Hamburg: Regional Chamber of Crafts delivering Meisterkurse, continuing education, and apprenticeship services to skilled-trade members in Hamburg. Direct peer with comparable public-law mandate and educational offerings.
• Handwerkskammer München und Oberbayern: Largest regional Chamber of Crafts in Germany, providing the same public-law vocational training, Meisterprüfungen, and business consulting services to skilled-trade members. Direct functional peer at greater scale.
• Handwerkskammer Berlin: Public-law Chamber of Crafts operating Bildungsakademien for vocational training and Meisterprüfungen in Berlin-Brandenburg. Direct statutory peer covering a different but comparable trade business base.

Regional players

• Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw): Large Bavarian vocational education and training provider covering apprenticeship support, Meister preparation, and continuing education for trades and industry. Comparable in scope but geographically concentrated in Bavaria.

Emerging players

• Eckert Schulen: Major private vocational education provider in Germany offering Meisterkurse, technician certifications, and continuing education across multiple trades. Direct competitor to Bildungsakademie Ulm in Meisterprüfung preparation and continuing training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HandwerkskammerUlm
• Facebookfacebook.com/HandwerkskammerUlm
• Instagraminstagram.com/handwerkskammer_ulm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bildungsakademie-der-handwerkskammer-ulm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Bildungsakademie Ulm