What IGKG Schweiz does

IGKG Schweiz (Interessengemeinschaft Kaufmännische Grundbildung Schweiz) is the Swiss national non-profit association designated under SBFI oversight as the official training and examination carrier for the Dienstleistung und Administration (DA) branch — the largest of Switzerland's 19 commercial training branches — covering both the three-year Kauffrau/Kaufmann EFZ DA apprenticeship and the two-year Kauffrau/Kaufmann EBA program. Each year more than 13,000 learners begin an EFZ apprenticeship and approximately 500 begin an EBA, making this the most popular vocational pathway in Switzerland; the association serves training companies across all industries, commercial vocational schools, and apprentices through standardized, legally binding Bildungsverordnungen, Bildungspläne, qualification profiles, and examination frameworks, plus non-formal pathways such as INVOL and IKN.

The core technology platform is Konvink, a digital learning environment paired with a webstore (igkg.konvink.store) that distributes validated learning materials and training instruments for the three learning locations — company (Betrieb), inter-company courses (üK), and vocational school (Berufsfachschule). Konvink includes an Ausbildungscockpit (training cockpit) for managing apprenticeship progress, practical assignments (Praxisaufträge), competency development, qualification conversations, and ratings, and integrates with DBLAP2, the cantonal platform for transmitting company-based (ALS) and üK competence assessments. The 2023 KV Reform and the 2024-2025 wave of new qualification procedures for EBA and EFZ have substantially renewed the content library and assessment framework, including explicit treatment of AI usage in the new school-based qualification procedure.

IGKG Schweiz is governed as a social-partnership Verein founded by three members — Schweizerischer Gewerbeverband (sgv), Schweizerischer Arbeitgeberverband (SAV), and Kaufmännischer Verband Schweiz (KFMV Schweiz) — with no equity ownership and no profit distribution. Revenue is generated through member contributions, cantonal organization fees for inter-company courses, performance agreements with the Confederation and cantons, sales of learning materials via the Konvink webstore, and service revenue from the executive office; any net surplus is carried forward. Distribution runs through approximately 20 cantonal/intercantonal course commissions providing local support, direct engagement from a 21-person Bern-based executive office, and digital self-service via the Konvink webstore across German, French, and Italian.

Name

IGKG Schweiz

Legal name

IGKG Interessengemeinschaft Kaufmännische Grundbildung Schweiz

Website

https://igkg.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IGKG Schweiz is the Swiss national non-profit association that serves as the official training and examination carrier for the country's largest commercial vocational branch (Kauffrau/Kaufmann EFZ DA and EBA), delivering standardized curricula, the Konvink digital learning platform, and qualification procedures to training companies, vocational schools, and over 13,000 apprentices annually across all cantons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Qualifications Framework Authorities (NQF/Skills Framework) (EDADAFAB)

Keywords

• Commercial vocational training
• Apprenticeship education
• Digital learning platform
• Vocational examination services
• Training framework development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IGKG Schweiz is the statutory carrier (Trägerin) of Switzerland's commercial basic vocational training programs (Kauffrau/Kaufmann EFZ DA and Kauffrau/Kaufmann EBA), providing standardized, legally binding training frameworks, the Konvink digital learning platform with integrated webstore, qualification procedures with final exams, training guides, practical assignments, and coordination of ~20 cantonal course commissions that deliver inter-company courses (ÜK) across all Swiss cantons under SBFI oversight.

Product overview

IGKG Schweiz offers a unified digital learning ecosystem centered on Konvink, a digital learning environment that provides standardized learning materials and training instruments for commercial vocational education across Switzerland. The portfolio includes Konvink with its integrated webstore, training guides (Leitfäden), practical assignments (Praxisaufträge), and various assessment frameworks for both EBA and EFZ qualification programs. The system supports three learning locations: company (Lehrbetrieb), inter-company courses (ÜK), and vocational school (Berufsfachschule). Additional offerings include webinars for trainer development and non-formal programs like the integration pre-apprenticeship (INVOL) and individual competence verification (IKN). The 2023 reform introduced new qualification procedures with final exams for both programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Konvink Digital Learning Environment Proprietary digital learning environment that provides standardized, validated training materials and training instruments for commercial apprentices and trainers across the three learning locations (company, inter-company courses, vocational school). Includes the Ausbildungscockpit (Training Cockpit) for managing apprenticeship progress, competencies, practical assignments, qualification conversations, and ratings. Used by training companies, vocational schools, and apprentices for Kauffrau/Kaufmann EFZ DA and EBA programs.
• Konvink Webstore Online store within the Konvink environment distributing valid and binding learning materials and training instruments for the three learning locations of the EFZ DA and EBA commercial vocational training programs. Used by training companies, vocational schools, and inter-company course (ÜK) organizers to acquire standardized training resources.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation (SBFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation is the Swiss federal authority overseeing vocational education and training. IGKG Schweiz operates within SBFI's regulatory framework and submits proposals for revisions to training ordinances and plans through SBFI. SBFI sets guidelines for all recognized commercial training and examination branches.
• Schweizerische Konferenz der kaufmännischen Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsbranchen (SKKAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKKAB is the umbrella organization coordinating all 19 commercial training and examination branches in Switzerland. IGKG Schweiz actively participates in SKKAB to promote attractive and future-oriented commercial vocational training. IGKG Schweiz also engages in the framework curriculum for 'Dipl. Betriebswirtschafter/in HF' (Higher Professional Education) through SKKAB.
• Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren (EDK)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Conference of Cantonal Education Directors coordinates educational policy across cantons. IGKG Schweiz collaborates with EDK in areas of shared responsibility for commercial vocational training, particularly regarding curriculum alignment and school-based training components.
• Schweizerische Berufsbildungsämter-Konferenz (SBBK)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Conference of Vocational Training Offices coordinates cantonal vocational training offices. IGKG Schweiz collaborates with SBBK on issues relating to the implementation of commercial vocational training standards at the cantonal level.
• Bildung Kaufleute Schweiz (BIKAS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIKAS is the coordination platform for commercial vocational training in Switzerland. IGKG Schweiz participates in BIKAS, which publishes research findings and articles about commercial vocational training reforms, including the first evaluation of the new Kauffrau/Kaufmann EBA basic training.
• Schweizerische Konferenz kaufmännischer Berufsschulen (SKKBS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKKBS coordinates vocational schools offering commercial training across Switzerland. IGKG Schweiz works with SKKBS to ensure alignment between school-based training, company-based training, and inter-company courses.
• Konferenz Schweizer Handels- und Wirtschaftsmittelschulen (KSHW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSHW represents Swiss commercial and economics schools. IGKG Schweiz collaborates with KSHW on matters related to the school-based component of commercial vocational training.
• Verband Schweizerische Handelsschulen (VSH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSH (ASEС) is the association of Swiss commercial schools. IGKG Schweiz maintains a partnership with VSH for curriculum coordination and school-related training matters.
• Schweizerischer Gewerbeverband (sgv)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Trade Association (sgv) is one of three founding members of IGKG Schweiz, alongside SAV and KFMV Schweiz. Sgv represents Swiss small and medium-sized businesses and trades, playing a central role in social partnership governance of commercial vocational training.
• Schweizerischer Arbeitgeberverband (SAV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Employers Association (SAV) is one of three founding members of IGKG Schweiz, representing Swiss employers' interests in the social partnership governance model for commercial vocational training.
• Kaufmännischer Verband Schweiz (KFMV Schweiz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Commercial Association (KFMV Schweiz) is one of three founding members of IGKG Schweiz, representing commercial professionals' interests in the social partnership governance model for commercial vocational training.
• Cantonal Course Commissions (Kantonale Kurskommissionen)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproximately 20 cantonal or intercantonal course commissions (e.g., IGKG Bern, CIFC Genève, IGKG Zürich, IGKG Aargau) implement inter-company courses (ÜK) for Kaufleute EFZ DA and Büroassistent/in EBA throughout Switzerland. They are the primary local delivery partners for IGKG Schweiz, ensuring regionally adapted implementation of standardized national training frameworks. They support training companies, apprentices, and coordinate with cantonal vocational training offices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• SBFI (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation): Federal regulator that issues the mandates under which IGKG operates. Comparable because it is the central authority overseeing Swiss VET — including commercial apprenticeships — but as a regulator/government ministry rather than a training operator.
• DIHK (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag): German umbrella organization of the IHK chambers that oversee dual commercial/business vocational training across Germany. Comparable to IGKG as the coordinating national authority for commercial apprenticeships under the social-partnership governance model, but at a larger scale and under German rather than Swiss jurisdiction.
• WKO Wirtschaftskammer Österreich: Austrian chamber of commerce responsible for the country's apprenticeship system and commercial vocational training. Comparable in role to IGKG as a chamber-based national VET authority for commercial/administrative apprenticeships, but operating under Austrian law and the WKO membership model in a different jurisdiction.

Broad incumbents

• GIBA Gewerblich-industrielles Bildungszentrum: Major Swiss vocational education center delivering apprenticeship training across multiple trades and regions. Comparable as a Swiss VET delivery organization serving the dual apprenticeship model, though at the operational school level rather than the national branch-organization level.
• SKKAB (Schweizerische Konferenz der kaufmännischen Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsbranchen): Umbrella organization coordinating all 19 Swiss commercial training and examination branches — including IGKG itself. Comparable because it operates at the same layer of Swiss commercial VET governance, but with broader scope across multiple branches rather than IGKG's specialized DA focus.
• Swissmem (Schweizerischer Verband der MEM-Industrie): Swiss industry association running the largest non-commercial vocational training branch for the MEM (machinery, electrical, metals) industries. Comparable as a parallel sector-specific Swiss VET branch organization with similar responsibilities for training frameworks, examinations, and qualification procedures in its industry.
• EHB Eidgenössisches Hochschulinstitut für Berufsbildung: Switzerland's federal university for vocational education and training. Comparable as the leading national institution dedicated to VET, operating under SBFI oversight with similar public-sector mandate and nationwide training responsibility, but at higher education rather than basic apprenticeship level.
• SKKBS (Schweizerische Konferenz kaufmännischer Berufsschulen): Conference of Swiss commercial vocational schools that deliver the school-based component of dual commercial VET. Comparable because SKKBS coordinates the same Berufsfachschule learning location that IGKG integrates with, and overlaps on curriculum alignment with EFZ/EBA programs.
• SBBK (Schweizerische Berufsbildungsämter-Konferenz): Conference of Swiss cantonal vocational training offices that coordinate implementation of VET standards across all cantons. Comparable to IGKG's relationship with its cantonal Kurskommissionen, but operating at the cross-branch cantonal coordination level.
• BIKAS (Bildung Kaufleute Schweiz): Coordination platform publishing research and policy articles on Swiss commercial vocational training, including the first evaluation of the new EBA reform. Comparable to IGKG as a knowledge and policy actor in the same commercial-VET domain, but operating as an information/research platform rather than a training operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/igkg-cifc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 IGKG Schweiz