Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec

What Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec does

Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec is a Slovenian non-profit adult education institution (zavod) established in 1975, headquartered in Žalec and serving the Spodnja Savinjska dolina (Lower Savinja Valley) region. The institution operates as a comprehensive adult education platform delivering a multi-faceted portfolio spanning formal secondary education (Primary School for Adults, Economic Gymnasium, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Matura preparation), professional qualification programs (NPK certifications including social caregiver and bookkeeper), language education across eight-plus languages, computer and digital literacy courses, leisure/personal enrichment programs, career counseling (ISIO and Career Corner), and multigenerational community programming through the Planet generacij+ center.

The technology stack is modest and web-centric: an Akta CMS-powered website, a proprietary E-index system for student progress tracking, basic online classroom infrastructure for distance learning, and standard third-party integrations (Google Analytics, YouTube, Google Maps, Facebook, AddThis). The business model is hybrid: most formal education, digital literacy, and financial literacy programs are funded through European Social Fund grants, Ministry of Education programs, and regional development funds, while fee-based language courses, specialized training, and corporate on-site training revenue provides supplementary income. Corporate training clients include regional manufacturers BSH Hišni aparati, Gorenje, Novem Car Interior Design, Odelo Slovenija, Termoelektrarna Šoštanj, and municipal utility Javno komunalno podjetje Žalec. The institution is governed by a board of directors (Svet zavoda) led by Director Franja Centrih, operates with approximately 9 employees, maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification and POKI quality membership, and is a core partner in a 13-organization national adult education consortium.

Name

Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec

Legal name

UPI - Ljudska univerza Žalec

Website

https://upi.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec is a Slovenian non-profit adult education institution founded in 1975, serving the Savinja Valley region with formal secondary education, language training, digital literacy, professional qualifications, and career counseling, primarily funded through EU grants and supplemented by corporate training and course fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Adult Education (Municipal/Community Schools) (EDAAAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Language & Communication Continuing Education (EDAAAEAF), GED/HiSET Preparation & Instruction (EDAAABAA)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Language training courses
• Vocational education programs
• Professional qualification training
• Lifelong learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Žalec

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and EU Grants: Majority of operations funded through European Social Fund, national Ministry of Education programs, and regional development funds. Projects like 'Znanje za odličnost v neformalnem izobraževanju odraslih' (523,578.29 EUR) are EU-funded.
2. Fee-based Language and Training Programs: Revenue from paid language courses, professional training, and preparation courses for exams. Some programs are free while others require payment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec provides formal and non-formal adult education programs including primary and secondary education for adults, vocational qualification training (NPK), language courses in 8+ languages, computer and digital literacy training, corporate employee training, career counseling (ISIO and Career Corner), and personal development courses. Programs are delivered through on-site classes at the Žalec campus, online classrooms, community multi-generational centers, and on-site corporate training across the Savinja Valley region.

Product overview

Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec operates as a comprehensive adult education institution offering a multi-faceted portfolio of educational services across formal and non-formal programs. The organization provides a unified platform centered on adult education that includes: formal secondary education programs (Primary School for Adults, Economic Gymnasium, various vocational technician programs like Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering); professional qualification programs (NPK) for careers in caregiving and bookkeeping; language education through its Language Center offering 8+ languages including Slovenian for foreigners; computer and digital literacy courses; personal enrichment offerings (dance, music, cooking, massage, health exercises); career counseling and ISIO information services; and multigenerational community programming through the Planet generacij+ center. The institution functions as a platform combining formal accreditation pathways with non-formal skill-building courses, all supported by free educational programs co-financed through European social funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Šola prijaznih ljudi: School of friendly people - tagline and brand positioning for UPI
• Planet generacij+

Products and services

• Osnovna šola za odrasle (Primary School for Adults) Free primary education program enabling adults to complete basic elementary education.
• Srednješolski programi (Secondary School Programs) Vocational and general secondary education including Economic Gymnasium, Economic Technician, Electrician, Electrical Engineer, Matura Course, Metal Designer-Toolmaker, Preschool Education, and Mechanical Engineering Technician.
• Računalniški tečaji (Computer Courses) Basic and advanced computer courses teaching fundamental and intermediate computing skills.
• Nacionalne poklicne kvalifikacije NPK (National Professional Qualifications) Programs preparing participants for national professional qualification examinations including social caregiver, bookkeeper, and other vocational certifications.
• Izobraževanje za podjetja (Training for Companies) Customized professional training programs designed for business employees, delivered at company premises or UPI facilities.
• Jezikovni center (Language Center) Comprehensive language education including English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese courses, Slovenian for foreigners, and language exams.
• Prosti čas programi (Leisure Programs) Personal enrichment courses including massage, health exercises, dance, modern cooking, music school for adults, dementia programs, personal growth and communication workshops.
• Študijski krožki (Study Circles) Reading and specialized study circles providing group-based learning experiences for adults.
• Svetovalno središče ISIO (ISIO Counseling Center) Information and counseling services for adult education including career guidance, educational pathway planning, and self-directed learning support.
• Karierni kotiček (Career Corner) Career counseling services providing occupational information, career guidance, and career planning resources.
• Učna pomoč (Learning Assistance) Academic support services for learners needing additional educational assistance, available both in-person and remotely.
• Središče za samostojno učenje SSU (Self-Directed Learning Center) Resources and facilities supporting independent learning and self-study for adult participants.
• Večgeneracijski center Planet generacij+ (Multigenerational Center) Intergenerational community center offering activities and programs for all age groups, including holiday care and family events.
• Finančna pismenost (Financial Literacy Programs) Free educational programs teaching personal finance management, budget planning, and financial decision-making skills.
• Digitalna jesen (Digital Autumn) Free digital technology education series focusing on practical digital skills for everyday life.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 training implementations organized with 1236+ successful participants in NIPO project
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ljudska univerza KranjcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2015Coordinator of Erasmus+ project 'Z izobraževanjem nad demenco' (2015-2017). UPI Žalec as consortium partner working on dementia awareness and care training programs.
• Ljudska univerza KrškocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the NIPO (Znanje za odličnost v neformalnem izobraževanju odraslih) consortium project. Collaboration on training programs for adult educators across Slovenia.
• Šolski center VelenjecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational consortium partner in NIPO project for non-formal adult education development and training program delivery.
• RIC Novo mestocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional educational institute partner in NIPO consortium working on adult education quality improvement.
• Zasavska ljudska univerzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult education institution partner in NIPO project consortium for regional cooperation in adult learning.
• MOCIS - Center za izobraževanje odraslihcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult education center partner in NIPO consortium contributing to professional development programs for adult educators.
• Andragoški center Slovenije (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational adult education resource center providing quality standards, POKI certification, and professional development frameworks for adult educators.
• Gorenje Gospodinjski aparati d.d.minorOthersRegional industry partner and employer supporting adult training programs in the Savinja Valley.
• BSH Hišni aparati d.o.o.minorOthersRegional manufacturing company partner providing training opportunities for employees.
• Odelo Slovenija d.o.o.minorOthersAutomotive supplier company conducting career orientation visits and workplace tours for career guidance programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• Zasavska ljudska univerza: People's University serving the Zasavje region of Slovenia. NIPO consortium partner with UPI Žalec; comparable community-based adult education mandate and EU-project portfolio.
• Šolski center Velenje: School center in Velenje that combines secondary vocational education with adult learning programs. NIPO consortium partner with UPI Žalec and adjacent geographically in the Savinja region.
• RIC Novo mesto: Regional educational institute in Novo mesto partnering with UPI Žalec on the NIPO project; provides adult education, counseling, and EU-funded programs in the Dolenjska region.
• Ljudska univerza Kranj: People's University in Kranj, Slovenia, offering the same adult-education portfolio (formal secondary, languages, vocational training, counseling). Coordinated an Erasmus+ project with UPI Žalec, indicating near-identical operating model and regional positioning.
• MOCIS - Center za izobraževanje odraslih: Adult education center in Slovenj Gradec operating the same ljudska-univerza-style model of formal and non-formal adult learning. NIPO consortium partner with UPI Žalec.
• Ljudska univerza Nova Gorica: People's University in Nova Gorica offering adult secondary education, language courses, and NPK qualifications. Co-participated with UPI Žalec in Erasmus+ dementia-education project.
• Ljudska univerza Krško: People's University in Krško, partner in the NIPO consortium with UPI Žalec. Operates the same mix of adult secondary education, language courses, and EU-funded non-formal programs in the Posavje region.

Broad incumbents

• Andragoški center Slovenije (ACS): National adult-education resource center that sets quality standards (POKI, ISIO) and awards such as 'Jabolko kakovosti'. Not a direct competitor but the national umbrella organization for institutions like UPI Žalec.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/upizalec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upi-zalec

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Adult Education Centre UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec