What Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH does

Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH (WAK) is a private vocational and continuing education provider headquartered in Kiel, Germany, founded in 1967 and operating across 9 Bildungszentren (training centers) in Schleswig-Holstein — including Kiel, Lübeck, Flensburg, Elmshorn, Neumünster, Husum, Bad Segeberg, Itzehoe, and Norderstedt. The company delivers IHK-certified certificate courses (IHK-Zertifikatslehrgänge), higher vocational education (Meister and Fachwirt qualifications at DQR Level 6), compact seminars, and customized corporate training programs (Firmenschulungen). Its customer base spans working professionals seeking career advancement, corporate B2B clients, unemployed individuals funded through Agentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter Bildungsgutscheine, and separating Bundeswehr personnel funded through the Berufsförderungsdienst (BFD).

WAK operates an integrated corporate group (Unternehmensverbund) of six wholly-owned subsidiaries: the Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein (DHSH) dual university, Kleemannschulen (vocational secondary education), Akademie für Gesundheits- und Sozialberufe (AGS), Institut für angewandte Forschung (IAF), JobB GmbH (youth vocational support), and Service-Gesellschaft der Wirtschaftsakademie mbH (SGW/KüstenKost internal catering). The technology stack is built on a Moodle-based learning management system with Microsoft Teams integration for virtual training delivery, online course booking and CRM systems, and an Online Portal for self-service participant access. The company holds DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification (since 1996), AZAV accreditation under §178 SGB III, and state recognition under TrAVO, collectively enabling access to government funding streams.

Revenue flows through four channels: fee-for-service individual training (IHK exam preparation, Meister courses priced at ~6,450 EUR, modular Führungstraining at ~850 EUR per module), customized corporate training sold through a regional B2B sales team, government-funded programs (Bildungsgutscheine, Aufstiegs-BAföG providing up to 75% subsidy), and BFD-funded military transition programs. As of 2024, the company served approximately 12,465 participants with 189 full-time employees and approximately 600 freelance instructors, supported by ~56,000 m² of building footprint and 392 guest-house beds across four locations. Marketing channels include a dedicated blog (WAKademie), podcasts ("HR aus dem Norden"), newsletters, free Infotermine information sessions, and direct field sales in North, South, and Central Schleswig-Holstein.

Name

Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH

Legal name

Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH

Website

https://wak-sh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH is a private vocational and continuing education provider operating 9 training centers across Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, delivering IHK-certified certificate courses, Meister and Fachwirt programs, corporate training, and government-funded integration and military-transition programs to approximately 12,465 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Workplace & Career Integration for Immigrants (Credentialing, Job Readiness) (EDAAADAE)

Keywords

• Vocational education services
• Professional certification training
• Corporate workforce training
• Continuing education programs
• IHK-certified qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service Training (Individual): Revenue from individuals paying for professional development courses including IHK exam preparation, certificate programs, and master craftsman (Meister) training programs. Courses offered at various price points with government funding support (Aufstiegs-BAföG) available for eligible participants.
2. Corporate Training (Firmenschulungen): Customized in-house training programs for businesses, delivered at client sites or at WAK centers. Includes leadership development, employee training, and organizational development programs sold to companies.
3. Government-Funded Programs: Training programs for unemployed individuals funded through Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter Bildungsgutscheine. Programs include integration courses, career re-entry training, and vocational rehabilitation.
4. Military Vocational Training (BFD): Career transition programs for Bundeswehr personnel funded through Berufsförderungsdienst, covering up to 100% of costs for separating soldiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH delivers vocational and continuing education across 9 training centers in Schleswig-Holstein, offering IHK-certified certificate courses (Buchführung, Personal, Führung), higher vocational education tracks (Meister and Fachwirt qualifications), compact seminars, customized corporate training (Firmenschulungen), and government-funded programs for unemployed individuals and separating Bundeswehr personnel. Programs are delivered in-person, online, or hybrid, with funding support available through Aufstiegs-BAföG and Bildungsgutscheine.

Product overview

Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH operates as a unified education platform offering vocational and continuing education services across Schleswig-Holstein through 9 regional education centers. The core portfolio consists of IHK-Zertifikatslehrgänge (certificate courses), the Höhere Berufsbildung (higher vocational education) track featuring IHK-certified Meisterlehrgänge and Fachwirt qualifications, compact Seminare for targeted skill development, and customized Firmenschulungen for corporate clients. Key products include the 6-stufiges IHK-Führungstraining for leadership development, Ausbildung der Ausbilder (IHK) for trainer qualification, and various specialized courses including Buchführung & Controlling, Personalmanagement, Online Marketing, and Logistik programs. Supplementary services include FREE WAKademie (free online learning), the 'HR aus dem Norden' podcast, newsletters (Bilanz ziehen, Führungsstark, HR-News), and guest house accommodations. The institution implements quality management via DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and holds AZAV certification as an approved training provider for employment promotion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WAKademie: Blog and free learning platform of the Wirtschaftsakademie offering educational content and resources
• WAKademie Blog
• FREE WAKademie
• KüstenKost

Products and services

• IHK-Zertifikatslehrgänge
• Höhere Berufsbildung
• Seminare
• Ausbildung der Ausbilder (IHK) – Ausbildereignung
• IHK-Führungstraining (6 Stufen)
• Meisterlehrgänge (IHK)
• Wirtschaftsfachwirt (IHK)
• Handelsfachwirt (IHK)
• Personalfachkaufleute (IHK)
• Fachwirt für Büro- und Projektorganisation (IHK)
• Buchführung & Controlling
• Personalmanagement & Update
• Recruiter/-in (IHK) & E-Recruiting
• Online Marketing & E-Commerce
• Logistik (IHK)
• Integrationskurse
• Firmenschulungen / Führungstrainings
• FREE WAKademie
• Gästehäuser

Quantifiable outcome

• IHK-certified qualifications equivalent to Bachelor's degree (DQR Level 6)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Industrie- und Handelskammern (IHKs) of Schleswig-HolsteincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial mandate to implement continuing education programs on behalf of the three IHKs in Schleswig-Holstein. IHK certifications (IHK-Prüfungen) are integral to WAK's credential offerings.
• Agentur für Arbeit / JobcentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment employment agencies refer unemployed individuals and provide Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers) that cover training costs for WAK programs.
• Bundeswehr Berufsförderungsdienst (BFD)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMilitary career transition service that funds professional retraining for separating soldiers, with WAK as an approved training provider.
• Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein (DHSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary organization offering dual study programs. Part of the WAK corporate group (Unternehmensverbund) providing higher education alongside WAK's vocational training.
• KleemannschulenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary school offering vocational secondary education and business school programs. Part of WAK's corporate group.
• Akademie für Gesundheits- und Sozialberufe (AGS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary specializing in healthcare and social professions training. Part of WAK's corporate group.
• JobB GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary providing support for young people entering vocational training and employment. Part of WAK's corporate group.
• Service-Gesellschaft der Wirtschaftsakademie mbH (SGW) / KüstenKostminorOthersInternal service company providing catering services under the KüstenKost brand at WAK facilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie is one of Germany's largest private vocational training and continuing education providers, AZAV-certified, offering Meister, Fachwirt, and commercial/technical retraining programs across multiple states. Directly comparable to WAK in product mix, regulatory certifications, and government-funded revenue model.
• bbw Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft Berlin-Brandenburg: bbw Berlin-Brandenburg is a regional employer-affiliated vocational training provider delivering AZAV-certified retraining, Meister preparation, and corporate training. Closely mirrors WAK's hybrid model of state-funded Bildungsgutschein programs, IHK preparation, and dedicated B2B sales coverage in a defined German region.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland Akademie delivers certified vocational continuing education, corporate training, and AZAV-approved retraining programs nationally in Germany. Overlaps with WAK on IHK certificate preparation, technical Meister tracks, and B2B Firmenschulungen, with a similar combination of regulatory credentials and physical training centers.
• Europäisches Bildungswerk (EBW): EBW is a private vocational education group operating across multiple German states with AZAV-approved Meister, Fachwirt, and integration courses. Comparable to WAK as a regional, multi-center private training provider serving both individuals and government-funded learners.
• WBS TRAINING: WBS TRAINING is a national AZAV-certified provider of vocational retraining, continuing education, and corporate upskilling programs, with a strong online/blended delivery model. Comparable to WAK in its dependence on Bildungsgutscheine, breadth of commercial/technical Meister tracks, and B2B training offering.
• Eckert Schulen: Eckert Schulen is a private German education group offering vocational secondary education, Meister, and Fachwirt courses alongside dual study programs. Highly comparable to WAK in that it combines IHK-certified advanced training with broader school and higher-education subsidiaries in a multi-state footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie (DAA): DAA is a nationwide non-profit vocational training and education group with AZAV approval, offering retraining, integration courses, and continuing education across Germany. Comparable in regulatory standing and reliance on government-funded programs, though broader in geographic coverage than WAK.
• FOM Hochschule: FOM is Germany's largest private university specializing in berufsbegleitende Bachelor and Master programs for working professionals. Relevant as a higher-tier competitor/adjacent to WAK's DHSH subsidiary, competing for the same career-advancement learner.

Regional players

• Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw): bbw Bayern is the largest employer-affiliated vocational training provider in Bavaria, with a similar product portfolio to WAK (IHK preparation, Meister, corporate training, integration courses) but serving a different German state. Useful regional peer for benchmarking operating model and scale.

Emerging players

• DATEV Bildungszentrum: DATEV's Bildungszentrum delivers specialized training in Buchführung, Bilanzbuchhalter, and Controlling — overlapping directly with WAK's accounting/controlling course line. Smaller and more domain-focused than WAK, but a relevant competitor for one of WAK's stronger individual segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Wirtschaftsakademie
• Facebookfacebook.com/wirtschaftsakademie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/wirtschaftsakademie-schleswig-holstein-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/wirtschaftsakademie_sh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH