Institut für Forschung, Training und Projekte (iftp) im bfw

What Institut für Forschung, Training und Projekte (iftp) im bfw does

iftp (Institut für Forschung, Training und Projekte) is a non-profit research, training, and project delivery institute operating as a brand of bfw – Unternehmen für Bildung, the educational arm of the German Trade Union Federation (DGB). Headquartered in Erkrath, North Rhine-Westphalia, with 27 employees, iftp targets workforce transformation in German industrial sectors facing digital, ecological, and demographic change — automotive, battery technology, logistics, energy, steel, and healthcare. Its service portfolio spans five lines: (1) fee-based seminars and trainings covering additive manufacturing, battery technology, innovation management, communication, negotiation, and leadership; (2) accredited distance learning, notably the €595 "Weiterbildungsberater:in" certification in cooperation with FernUniversität in Hagen (5 ECTS); (3) consulting and moderation — in-company consulting, strategy and process facilitation, event moderation, third-party funding advisory (Drittmittelberatung), and the DGB-managed Faire Mobilität advisory network operating at 13 locations nationwide; (4) applied research producing studies and toolboxes on transformation, battery ecosystems, and digital competencies; and (5) a substantial events program including conferences, Power Hours, and Transformations-Snacks.

The business model is hybrid but dominated by publicly funded project work. Revenue streams include per-course seminar fees (unit-priced, pay-as-you-go), the recurring Fernlehrgang program, advisory and consulting engagements sold via direct enterprise sales, and — most significantly — multi-year federal and EU grants from BMBF, BMWE, BMAS, ESF/ESF Plus, and the Zukunftsfonds Automobilindustrie. Active projects include KOMBiH (battery cell qualification, 2023–2027), MoLeWa (Leipzig automotive transformation network, 2022–2025), Pflege verbindet (international nurse integration, 2026–2028), ReTraNetz Berlin-Brandenburg, BeConnect, BatterieMD, GEKKO, and Faire Mobilität. Public funding under the bfw/DGB umbrella provides preferential access that constitutes the core distribution and regulatory advantage.

Go-to-market is multi-channel and event-led: direct website-based booking and Eventbrite for individual seminars and events, consultative enterprise sales for transformation advisory and works council consulting, and institutional distribution through DGB networks (IG Metall, NGG), chambers of commerce (IHK Leipzig, IHK Südthüringen), and the Faire Mobilität network. Named partners and customers include IG Metall, TU Berlin, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, FernUniversität in Hagen, Universität Osnabrück, Universität Leipzig, IHK Leipzig, Stadt Leipzig, ACOD, maxQ. im bfw, and Kühne+Nagel (as a practice case-study partner in the GEKKO logistics mentoring project). Technology use is operational — no proprietary software product, no AI/ML system — with Moodle, Zoom, MS Teams, Google Analytics, MaTelSo, and Eventbrite as the core stack.

Name

Institut für Forschung, Training und Projekte (iftp) im bfw

Legal name

Berufsfortbildungswerk Gemeinnützige Bildungseinrichtung des DGB GmbH (bfw)

Website

https://iftp-institut.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

iftp is a DGB-affiliated non-profit institute under bfw – Unternehmen für Bildung delivering workforce transformation consulting, training, and federally funded project research for German industrial sectors — automotive, battery, logistics, and healthcare — serving companies, works councils, chambers, and public institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Erkrath

HQ country

Germany

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. Seminare & Trainings (Seminars & Trainings): Revenue generated from fee-based seminar and training programs delivered both online and in-person across Germany. Programs cover topics such as additive manufacturing, battery technology, negotiation skills, leadership, and innovation management. Pricing ranges from individual course fees to multi-session programs.
2. Fernlehrgänge (Distance Learning Programs): Revenue from accredited distance learning programs such as the 'Weiterbildungsberater:in' certification course offered in cooperation with FernUniversität in Hagen, priced at €595 including examination.
3. Publicly Funded Project Work: A significant share of revenue is derived from publicly funded research and development projects supported by German federal ministries (BMBF, BMWE, BMAS), state governments, the EU (ESF, ESF Plus), and other public funding bodies. Projects include InnoVET PLUS, Zukunftsfonds Automobilindustrie, ESF-Sozialpartnerrichtlinie, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

iftp is a service-oriented research, training, and project delivery institute operating as a brand of bfw – Unternehmen für Bildung. It delivers professional seminars and trainings, certified distance learning programs, applied research, in-company consulting, strategy and process facilitation, event moderation, and third-party funding advisory for organizations undergoing industrial transformation across automotive, battery, logistics, healthcare, and energy sectors in Germany.

Product overview

IFTP (Institut für Forschung, Training und Projekte) is a brand of bfw – Unternehmen für Bildung and operates as a service-oriented training, research, and consulting organization rather than a software product company. Its portfolio spans five distinct service lines: (1) a seminars & trainings program (Seminare & Trainings) offering professional development courses in areas such as additive manufacturing, battery technology, innovation management, communication, negotiation, and leadership; (2) a distance learning program (Fernlehrgänge), notably a certified 'Weiterbildungsberater:in' course in cooperation with FernUniversität in Hagen; (3) consulting and moderation services (Beratung & Moderation) covering in-company consulting, strategy & process support, event moderation, third-party funding advice, and the Faire Mobilität advisory network; (4) applied research (Forschung) producing studies and publications on topics including battery ecosystem qualifications, transformation management, and digital competencies; and (5) an events program (Veranstaltungen) hosting conferences, workshops, and network meetings. These services are delivered through multiple funded projects (e.g., MoLeWa, KOMBiH, Pflege verbindet, ReTraNetz-BB, BeConnect) addressing sector-specific transformation and skills challenges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seminare & Trainings Professional development courses and workshops covering topics such as additive manufacturing (FLM, SLA, SLS), battery technology, innovation management, communication, conflict prevention, negotiation, and leadership, delivered both online and in-person.
• Fernlehrgang Weiterbildungsberater:in Certified distance learning program offered in cooperation with FernUniversität in Hagen, qualifying participants as educational consultants (Weiterbildungsberater:in). The program covers consulting processes, transformation and digitalization, needs analysis, HR development, and funding options, awarding a Zertifikat and 5 ECTS credits upon completion. Priced at €595 including examination.
• Beratung im Betrieb In-company consulting services supporting businesses with workforce transformation, strategic HR planning, skills development, organizational development toward learning-friendly work design, international skilled labor integration, and funding advice.
• Strategie- und Prozessbegleitung Consulting for organizations undergoing digital, ecological, and demographic transformation, including feasibility studies, trend analyses, workshop facilitation, participatory strategy development, internal change communication, and multiplier training such as transformation scouts and train-the-trainer concepts.
• Moderation Event and workshop moderation services for conferences, strategy retreats, and smaller or larger events, supporting planning, structuring, and achieving concrete outcomes through efficient communication processes.
• Drittmittelberatung Third-party funding consulting from project idea to grant application, including eligibility checks, funding program research, application support, project management, and reporting.
• Faire Mobilität

Named customers6 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

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ReTraNetz Berlin-BrandenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2026ReTraNetz-BB is a regional transformation network (one of multiple coordinated by iftp) focused on employment transitions in automotive, energy, and steel industries. iftp manages the trade union team within ReTraNetz-BB and co-organizes its annual conference.
• Kühne+NagelminorOthers · 9 July 2026Featured as a practice example in the GEKKO project, where Rolf Milting delivered an impulse lecture on training mentoring in logistics operations, demonstrating real-world application of workplace-based training mentoring.
• Universität OsnabrückcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026Universität Osnabrück partners with iftp on the BeConnect (Berufspädagogik Connect) project, jointly conducting a scientifically grounded questionnaire study on the continuing education needs of vocational education personnel in Germany.
• Wissenschaftspark GelsenkirchenminorOthers · 16 June 2026Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen serves as the physical venue for the fachtagung on international nursing professional integration, co-organized by iftp and maxQ.
• Institut für Arbeit und TechnikminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026The research institute contributed a scientific perspective on challenges and solutions for international nursing professional integration at the Pflege verbindet fachtagung.
• FAI NRW (NRW Fachkräfteagentur International)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026FAI NRW contributed expertise on skilled labor immigration and international professional recruitment at the Pflege verbindet fachtagung, providing practical perspectives on the legal and procedural frameworks for hiring international nurses.
• Oskar-Patzelt-StiftungminorOthers · 7 May 2026Oskar-Patzelt-Stiftung hosts the OPS-Fachkongress 'Mitarbeiter binden. Zukunft sichern.' in Leipzig, at which iftp was represented. The partnership provides a platform for iftp to present its transformation and HR topics to a mid-market business audience.
• Marcell Jansen / Statics GroupminorOthers · 7 May 2026Marcell Jansen, former Bundesliga professional and founder of Statics Group, delivered a keynote at the OPS-Fachkongress on leadership, resilience, and sustainable corporate development. iftp was present at this event, where discussions on transformation and AI in HR were featured.
• IHK SüdthüringencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026IHK Südthüringen in Suhl hosted the fachtagung on battery technology and new occupational profiles, with iftp's BatterieMD project actively involved. The IHK leads discussions on establishing battery technology as a recognized training occupation.
• FernUniversität in HagencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026iftp cooperates with FernUniversität in Hagen to deliver the certified 'Weiterbildungsberater:in' distance learning program, which qualifies participants in strategic educational consulting. The program awards 5 ECTS credits and a certificate upon completion.
• maxQ. im bfwcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026maxQ. (a brand within the bfw — Unternehmen für Bildung group) partners with iftp on the 'Pflege verbindet' project for the social-partnership-based integration of international nursing professionals in healthcare facilities.
• TU BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024TU Berlin is a key research partner in the KOMBiH project (Kompetenzaufbau für Batteriezellfertigung in der Hauptstadtregion), focusing on battery cell manufacturing, mobile energy storage, recycling, and circular economy research. iftp collaborates with TU Berlin to develop and pilot continuing education offerings.
• Institut für Betriebliche Bildungsforschung (IBBF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IBBF is a founding consortium partner in the KOMBiH project alongside iftp, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, and TU Berlin. IBBF contributes expertise in vocational education research and supports competency development for battery cell manufacturing.
• Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg partners with iftp in the KOMBiH consortium, contributing academic research capabilities to the battery ecosystem competency-building project.
• Cluster Energietechnik Berlin BrandenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023As part of the KOMBiH consortium, the Cluster Energietechnik Berlin Brandenburg contributes industry expertise and network access in the energy technology sector to support battery industry qualification needs.
• Cluster Verkehr, Mobilität und Logistik Berlin BrandenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The mobility and logistics cluster in Berlin-Brandenburg partners with iftp in KOMBiH, focusing on the human capital and skills dimension of battery technology adoption in the transport sector.
• IG Metall LeipzigcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022IG Metall Leipzig is a key project partner in the MoLeWa transformation network, providing trade union expertise and connecting iftp with works councils and employees in the Leipzig region's automotive industry.
• IHK Leipzig (Industrie- und Handelskammer Leipzig)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022IHK Leipzig partners with iftp in MoLeWa, contributing the perspective of the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and facilitating connections with member companies undergoing automotive transformation.
• Universität LeipzigcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Universität Leipzig participates in the MoLeWa network, providing academic research and analysis capacity for studies on digital competencies, skills needs, and transformation impacts in the Leipzig automotive region.
• Stadt Leipzig (Amt für Wirtschaftsförderung)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022The City of Leipzig's economic development office is a project partner in MoLeWa, representing public policy interests in the region's automotive and mobility transformation.
• ACOD Automotive Cluster Ostdeutschland GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022ACOD (Automotive Cluster Ostdeutschland) serves as the consortium leader for MoLeWa, coordinating the transformation network activities across Eastern Germany's automotive industry.
• Agentur für Arbeit LeipzigminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022The Leipzig branch of the Federal Employment Agency participates in the MoLeWa network, contributing labor market policy and employment placement expertise to the transformation effort.
• agil GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022agil GmbH is a project partner in the MoLeWa network, contributing expertise in regional economic development and transformation support for SMEs.
• DGB-Bundesvorstand (Gesamtverantwortung)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The DGB (German Trade Union Confederation) holds overall responsibility for the Faire Mobilität advisory network, which operates under the iftp umbrella. Since August 2020, DGB has a statutory right to federal funding for this network.
• Europäischer Verein für Wanderarbeiterfragen / European Migrant Workers UnionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011A partner organization in the Faire Mobilität network, contributing European-level expertise on migrant worker issues and cross-border labor mobility.
• PCG - Project Consult GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2011PCG provides consulting and project management expertise to the Faire Mobilität network, supporting its operations and expansion across Germany.
• DGB Bildungswerk BUNDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011A partner in the Faire Mobilität consortium, contributing educational and training expertise from the DGB Bildungswerk.
• IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-SachsencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011IG Metall's regional branch is a partner in both the Faire Mobilität network and the ReTraNetz-BB project, connecting iftp with trade union activities across the Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony region.
• Arbeit und Leben (Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein, Nordrhein-Westfalen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Cooperation partner in the Faire Mobilität network, contributing adult education and labor market expertise at regional level.
• Arbeiterkammer SaarlandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The Saarland Labor Chamber cooperates with Faire Mobilität and is a co-organizer of the ReTraNetz conference on employment transitions in transformation.
• Arbeitnehmerkammer BremenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The Bremen Workers' Chamber cooperates with Faire Mobilität and co-organizes the ReTraNetz conference on employment transitions, contributing from the perspective of labor market policy at traditional industrial locations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BIBB (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung): BIBB is Germany's federal institute for vocational education research, policy, and practice. While primarily a policy and research institution, it operates in the same vocational training and continuing education space as iftp and influences the public funding environment iftp depends on.
• DIHK Service GmbH: DIHK Service GmbH is the service arm of the German Chamber of Commerce (DIHK) network, delivering training, certification, and consulting services to member companies. It is comparable to iftp's IHK-partnered transformation networks and corporate training offerings.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie provides certified continuing education, vocational retraining, and HR consulting across Germany, including programs for workforce reintegration. It is a broad incumbent comparable to iftp's training and qualification services.
• Fraunhofer IAO: Fraunhofer IAO conducts applied research on work organization, digitalization, and HR transformation — producing studies, consulting engagements, and continuing education offerings that overlap significantly with iftp's research and transformation consulting.
• Haufe Akademie: Haufe Akademie is a leading commercial German provider of professional training, continuing education, and corporate consulting across topics including HR, transformation, leadership, and digitalization. It competes with iftp's Seminare & Trainings and Beratung lines but serves a broader commercial client base.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland's training division offers certified continuing education, workforce qualification, and transformation consulting across Germany. As a much larger organization, it competes with iftp on standardized training and certification programs.

Emerging players

• IW Consult: IW Consult is the consulting arm of the German Economic Institute (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft). It delivers applied research, studies, and consulting on labor market, education, and transformation topics — a comparable consulting and research model to iftp's applied research and strategy process support.

Direct peers

• ADG Akademie der Deutschen Genossenschaften: ADG Akademie is a German non-profit academy focused on continuing education, executive development, and cooperative-sector consulting. It is directly comparable to iftp's training, distance learning, and corporate consulting offerings — particularly its publicly funded and association-affiliated service model.
• IBBF (Institut für Betriebliche Bildungsforschung): IBBF is a vocational education research institute that partners with iftp on the KOMBiH project. It conducts applied research and consulting in continuing education and vocational pedagogy — the same domain as iftp's Forschung service line.
• f-bb (Forschungsinstitut Betriebliche Bildung): f-bb is a non-profit research institute focused on workplace learning, vocational training, and HR development in Germany. It offers applied research, consulting, and project management in the same domain as iftp — workforce transformation, skills development, and continuing education research — making it the closest direct peer in scope and mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iftp-institut

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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