ARPIH Ecole supérieure du domaine social

What ARPIH Ecole supérieure du domaine social does

ARPIH École supérieure du domaine social is a Swiss federally recognized higher vocational institution and association founded in 1984 in Yverdon-les-Bains, Vaud. It delivers accredited professional qualifying training in the social and socio-professional fields across French-speaking Switzerland, governed by ~90 institutional members active in social, medico-social, and socio-professional institutions. Its core portfolio comprises two ES diplomas — Éducateur·rice social·e ES (three-year, 5,400-hour or accelerated two-year, 3,600-hour track) and Maître·sse socioprofessionnel·e ES — alongside two Brevet Fédéral preparation programs (Accompagnant·e socioprofessionnel·e and Spécialiste en insertion professionnelle), bridge pathways (Filières Passerelles) for holders of prior tertiary credentials, and a Centre de perfectionnement offering short continuing-education courses. Programs follow a dual-format model combining didactic coursework with supervised professional practice in partner institutions, and admissions are gated by an employer agreement guaranteeing minimum 50% practice in the relevant function.

The revenue model blends three streams: subsidized ES tuition (~CHF 1,250/year gross with ~90% cantonal subsidy via the AES intercantonal agreement), Brevet Fédéral course fees (CHF 10,500-12,750 gross with 50% Confederation subsidy upon module validation and exam attendance), and unit-priced continuing education (CHF 260-1,250 per course, with a member/non-member differential tied to association membership). The Centre de perfectionnement also delivers customized in-house training at member-institution sites, sold via direct B2B engagement. Marketing and enrollment flows through employer partnerships, the ~90-member association network, in-person and Microsoft Teams information sessions, sector-association visibility (INSOS, SAVOIRSOCIAL, Integras), and an online portal (arpih.ch). The institution integrates M-Files (document management), Microsoft Teams (collaboration), UScope (analytics), and Renouvaud/Primo (library) as its operational technology stack.

Strategically, ARPIH has broadened its portfolio since 2021 with federal-exam prep courses, has formalised co-delivery partnerships with HEFP (CAS FPP) and HETSL (joint marketing), operates the INSOS 'Droits Devant!' podcast series in partnership with sector peers, and has secured government training mandates from CIVI (civilian service) and CSCSP (correctional services). Reporting lines include a Director (Stéphane Girod), a Responsable pédagogique, a Responsable du centre de perfectionnement, a Responsable administratif, ~19 Responsables de formation, and administrative support staff. ARPIH is an independent association with no parent company, no external investment, and operates exclusively within Suisse romande; no M&A, funding-round, or leadership-change activity is evidenced.

Name

ARPIH Ecole supérieure du domaine social

Legal name

ARPIH École supérieure du domaine social

Website

https://arpih.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ARPIH École supérieure du domaine social is a Swiss federally recognized higher vocational school and association, founded 1984 in Yverdon-les-Bains, delivering ES diplomas, federal exam preparation, and continuing-education programs to working professionals in the social and socio-professional sectors of French-speaking Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Yverdon-les-bains

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ES Diploma Programs Tuition: Annual tuition fees for ES diploma programs (Educateur·rice social·e ES, Maître·sse socioprofessionnel·le ES, and Passerelle pathways). Approximately CHF 1,250 per year for the main diploma programs, with the total cost of ~CHF 15,000 subsidized ~90% by cantons for eligible candidates. Additional admission procedure fee of CHF 350 (including aptitude tests). Bridge/Passerelle program costs CHF 1,875 total.
2. Federal Exam Prep Courses (Brevet Fédéral): Full course fees for preparatory programs leading to federal certificates. SIP program: CHF 10,500 total for 21 course days + 6 individual coaching + 12 group coaching + individualized pedagogical support. ASP program: CHF 12,750 for 50 course days across 4 modules. Federal Confederation subsidizes 50% (CHF 5,250 for SIP, CHF 6,375 for ASP) upon module validation and exam attendance. Registration fees separate: CHF 150 per program. Final exam fees separate: CHF 2,500 (ASP) to CHF 2,900 (SIP).
3. Continuing Education and Custom Training: Short-format continuing education courses for professionals and institutions, ranging from 1-day to 5-day programs. Pricing varies by course type and membership status. Courses include CITI (intro to institutional work), 3-day deepening workshops, mental health first aid, autism practical training, night watch training, inter-institutional practice analysis, activity analysis, and tailored in-house training. Revenue is one-time per course per participant.
4. Association Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from ~90 institutional members across French-speaking Switzerland. Members receive preferential pricing on non-subsidized training programs, creating an incentive structure that drives both enrollment and membership renewal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ARPIH delivers federally recognized ES-level diploma programs (Éducateur·rice social·e ES and Maître·sse socioprofessionnel·e ES) and Brevet Fédéral preparatory courses (Accompagnant·e socioprofessionnel·le and Spécialiste en insertion professionnelle) for working professionals in social, medico-social, and socio-professional institutions across French-speaking Switzerland. Through its Centre de perfectionnement, ARPIH additionally offers short-format continuing education courses (CITI, deepening workshops, autism training, night watch training, mental health first aid) and customized in-house training for institutional members. Training combines in-person coursework with supervised professional practice under a modular dual-format design.

Product overview

ARPIH École supérieure du domaine social operates as a unified educational institution offering professional training programs in the social field. The core portfolio consists of two ES diploma programs (Éducateur·rice social·e ES and Maître·sse socioprofessionnel·le ES) providing full professional qualifications, complemented by two federal certificate preparation programs (Accompagnant·e socioprofessionnel·le and Spécialiste en insertion professionnelle) for continuing professional development. The institution also operates a Centre de perfectionnement offering continuing education courses, bridge programs (Filières Passerelles), and customized training services for member institutions. All programs follow a dual format combining theoretical coursework with supervised practical training in partner institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Éducateur·rice social·e ES (Diplôme ES)

Quantifiable outcome

• Candidates who complete all modules and sit for the federal exam receive 50% Confederation subsidy on course fees.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Confederation – SEFRI (Secrétariat d'État à la formation, à la recherche et à l'innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984SEFRI is the Swiss Federal Office for Vocational Education and Training. ARPIH operates under the federal framework for vocational and professional education (LFPr) and delivers federal exam prep courses (brevet fédéral). SEFRI/cofounder co-finances 50% of course fees for candidates who complete all modules and sit the federal exam, making ARPIH's programs financially accessible. This is a core structural partnership underpinning ARPIH's mandate and legitimacy.
• INSOS (Organisation faîtière nationale pour les institutions sociales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSOS is the national umbrella organization for social institutions. ARPIH collaborates with INSOS on multiple fronts: co-producing the 'Droits Devant!' podcast series (shared media initiative), joint development of INSOS-branded training such as the Swiss Practical Training (FPra) program, and general advocacy for the socio-professional sector. INSOS is a key reference organization for professional standards.
• SAVOIRSOCIAL (Centre de compétences pour la formation dans le domaine social)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAVOIRSOCIAL is the Swiss competence center for training in the social sector. ARPIH collaborates with SAVOIRSOCIAL on sector-wide training standards, competency frameworks, and professional development initiatives. As a recognized sector body, SAVOIRSOCIAL helps shape training content and quality standards that ARPIH's programs implement.
• HEFP (Haute école fédérale en formation professionnelle)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARPIH partners with HEFP (Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training) to co-deliver the CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) programme for trainers in professional practice (FPP) for ES-level social domain schools in French-speaking Switzerland. This joint credential program is a core advanced specialization offering for experienced practitioners.
• Le Foyer (Association pour personnes avec handicap)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARPIH and Le Foyer jointly develop and deliver the 'Formations Pratiques Autisme' (Autism Practical Training) program, which includes a base module (TEACCH approach and intervention resources) and a specialized module on complex situations and behavioral crises. This partnership leverages Le Foyer's direct care expertise to provide hands-on autism training for professionals.
• HETSL (Haute école de travail social Lausanne)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerARPIH and HETSL jointly produced a promotional brochure presenting both institutions (published January 2025), demonstrating a collaborative approach to student recruitment and cross-institutional visibility in the French-speaking Swiss social education landscape.
• CIVI (Office fédéral du service civil)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCIVI (Federal Office for Civil Service) has mandated ARPIH to provide training for civilians performing service in the disability sector. This is a government mandate for which ARPIH serves as the authorized training provider.
• CSCSP (Centre suisse de compétences en matière d'exécution des sanctions pénales)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCSCSP has mandated ARPIH to deliver preparatory courses for the federal certificate of detention officer and the federal diploma for experts in management of deprivation of liberty. ARPIH serves as the contracted training provider for this specialized government-mandated program.
• GVAssistance (Geneva Airport partner)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGVAssistance, a partner company of Geneva Airport, has commissioned ARPIH to train its staff who provide assistance services to passengers with reduced mobility. This is a specialized B2B training mandate addressing a specific operational need.
• Integras (Association professionnelle pour l'éducation sociale et la pédagogie spécialisée)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegras is the Swiss professional association for social education and specialized pedagogy. ARPIH is a member and collaborator with Integras, including a partnership on the 5-day night watch training for professionals in child and adolescent institutions. Integras represents a key professional network for ARPIH's student and alumni community.
• DGEP Vaud (Direction générale de l'enseignement postobligatoire)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDGEP is the cantonal authority for post-obligatory education in the canton of Vaud. As the primary canton where ARPIH is located, DGEP plays a key role in cantonal recognition, funding (subsidies via Fonpro), and regulatory oversight of ARPIH's programs.
• Conférence romande des écoles supérieures (CRODES)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRODES is the conference of higher schools in French-speaking Switzerland. ARPIH is a member, contributing to regional coordination of higher vocational education and aligning standards across the CRODES network.
• CPNV (Centre professionnel normand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPNV is mentioned as a collaborative partner in ARPIH's ecosystem. Specific collaboration details are not further specified in available sources.
• AgogisminorOthersAgogis is listed among ARPIH's collaboration partners. Specific nature of collaboration is not detailed in available sources.
• Transition-ProminorOthersTransition-Pro is listed among ARPIH's collaboration partners. Specific nature of collaboration is not detailed in available sources.
• Fonpro (Fondation cantonale pour la formation professionnelle, Vaud)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFonpro is the cantonal foundation for vocational training in Vaud. It provides supplementary financial support to employees of Vaud companies pursuing ARPIH's programs, under certain conditions. This subsidizes ARPIH's training costs for employed candidates.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• SAVOIRSOCIAL: SAVOIRSOCIAL is the Swiss competence center for training in the social sector, responsible for sector-wide competency frameworks and professional development initiatives. As a partner and standards-setter, it shapes the requirements that ARPIH's programs implement and influences credentialing relevance.
• INSOS (Organisation faîtière nationale pour les institutions sociales): INSOS is the national umbrella organization for social institutions in Switzerland and a core ARPIH partner. It co-produces media initiatives like the Droits Devant! podcast and jointly develops branded training programs (e.g., FPra), shaping sector standards and demand for ARPIH's credentialing.
• Integras: Integras is the Swiss professional association for social education and specialized pedagogy. ARPIH is a member and collaborator, with a partnership on the 5-day night watch training for child/adolescent institutions, positioning Integras as both an ecosystem enabler and member-network feeder.

Broad incumbents

• HEFP (Haute école fédérale en formation professionnelle): HEFP is the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, with national mandate across vocational credentialing. ARPIH partners with HEFP to co-deliver the CAS FPP program, and HEFP's broader vocational mandate parallels ARPIH's federally authorized training scope.
• HES-SO (Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale): HES-SO is the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, encompassing multiple social work departments (HETSL, HETS Fribourg, HETS Genève) that deliver credentials overlapping with ARPIH's ES diploma pathways. As a broader incumbent, it competes at scale across the same Romandie geography.

Direct peers

• Haute école de travail social Lausanne (HETSL): HETSL is a Lausanne-based university of applied sciences focused on social work education, offering Bachelor and Master degrees in French-speaking Switzerland. It directly competes with ARPIH for social sector candidates and is explicitly a partnership counterparty (joint brochure with ARPIH, January 2025).

Regional players

• FHNW Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit: FHNW's Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit in Olten is one of Switzerland's largest social work universities. While it serves the German-speaking region rather than Romandie, it delivers comparable social work credentials and competes for the same national-level sector reputation and federal recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARPIH Ecole supérieure du domaine social