Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich

What Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich does

Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich (bvz) is a Zürich-based vocational training foundation (Stiftung) founded in 1999 (per firmographics; a secondary source cites a 2003 copyright/start date, indicating some ambiguity in founding records) that has operated for over 25 years delivering combined apprenticeships (Verbundlehre). Its core product is the Verbundlehre model, in which youth aged roughly 16-25 rotate through multiple partner companies during their apprenticeship while bvz manages all administrative coordination, including trade school enrollment, ÜK registrations, qualification procedure preparation, and conflict resolution between apprentices and employers. Supporting products include individual Coaching services, Supported Education (SEd) for youth with disabilities or those receiving IV/social-assistance benefits, and bvz+ extended services for partner companies.

The organization's customer base is dual-sided: on one side, motivated youth applicants who go through a structured selection process including a test day, application interview, and trial work experience (Schnuppereinsatz); on the other, approximately 150 partner Lehrbetriebe that provide practical training positions across more than 30 professions including commerce (Kauffrau/Kaufmann EFZ), hospitality (Hotel-Kommunikationsfachleute EFZ), IT (Informatiker EFZ, Plattformentwicklung), construction trades (Gipser, Automatiker, Betriebsunterhalt), logistics, facility maintenance, horticulture, painting, bicycle mechanics (Fahrradmechaniker EFZ), and 3D design (Polydesignerin 3D EFZ). Partner companies are deliberately diversified — housing cooperatives (Mehr als wohnen, ASIG Wohnen, Baugenossenschaft Rotach, GBL, Genossenschaft Baufreunde), construction firms (Walo Bertschinger, Agosti), hospitality (Motel One Zürich), technology/research (INFRAS, INQUBATOR), religious and nonprofit organizations (Paulus Akademie, Kirche Liebfrauen, St. Katharina, WOZ, Solidar, Rote Fabrik), aviation and lab services (SR Technics, Unilabs), and data center operations (Digital Realty).

The business model is that of a regulated nonprofit foundation rather than a commercial enterprise: bvz does not publish pricing, charges partner companies training placement fees that do not fully cover costs, and relies on donations to bridge the funding gap. The organization currently trains 160 apprentices (2025/2026 cohort) with a documented over 90% completion rate and over 80% direct employment rate post-training, and has placed 1,392 apprentices over its operating history. Sandra Gerschwiler serves as Geschäftsführerin. Geographic scope is Zürich-only with no stated international expansion.

Name

Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich

Legal name

Stiftung bvz Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich

Website

https://bvz.zuerich

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich (bvz) is a Zürich-based nonprofit foundation that delivers combined vocational apprenticeships (Verbundlehre) for youth aged 16-25, rotating them through approximately 150 partner companies across 30+ professions while managing all administrative coordination. It supports 160 apprentices annually with a 90%+ completion rate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Combined apprenticeship
• Apprentice placement
• Coaching services
• Supported education

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training placement fees from partner companies: Partner companies pay for training placements. The costs for training positions are not fully covered by partner company contributions, requiring additional financial support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

bvz organizes and manages vocational apprenticeships (Berufslehre) for youth aged 16–25 through a Verbundlehre (combined apprenticeship) model, in which trainees rotate across multiple partner companies while bvz handles all administrative responsibilities including trade school registration, ÜK coordination, and qualification procedure preparation. The foundation complements this with individual Coaching, Supported Education (SEd) for apprentices receiving IV (disability insurance) or social-assistance support, and bvz+ extended services for partner companies. Currently 160 apprentices are trained for 2025/2026 through approximately 150 partner companies spanning more than 30 professions.

Product overview

Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich (bvz) operates as a vocational training consortium offering a unified platform of services centered on the Verbundlehre (combined apprenticeship) model. The core offering enables youth to complete apprenticeships by rotating through multiple partner companies while bvz manages all administrative coordination. Supporting services include individual Coaching, Supported Education (SEd) for individuals with disabilities, and bvz+ extended services. The organization currently supports over 160 apprentices across more than 30 occupations through partnerships with approximately 150 partner companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Verbundlehre (Combined Vocational Training) Collaborative apprenticeship model in which young people rotate between multiple partner companies during their vocational education, with bvz managing all administrative responsibilities including school enrollment, examination preparation, and employer coordination.
• Coaching Services Individual support and guidance provided to apprentices throughout their training, including career counseling, conflict resolution with employers, and personal development assistance.
• Supported Education (SEd) Specialized program for young people with disabilities or those receiving IV (disability insurance) or social-assistance benefits, facilitating their reintegration into the primary labor market through supported vocational training.
• bvz+ Additional Services
• Apprenticeship Positions (Offene Lehrstellen) Over 30 different vocational training programs across various trades and industries including business administration (KV), logistics, facility management, construction trades, hospitality, and information technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% apprenticeship completion success rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Katharina (Katholische Kirche)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions for vocational training of apprentices in commercial and other professions.
• WOZcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions.
• SolidarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions.
• Rote FabrikcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions.
• Paulus AkademiecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions for commercial apprentices (Kauffrau/Kaufmann EFZ).
• ZittcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions.
• Mehr als wohnencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions in housing/real estate sector.
• ASIG WohnencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions in housing management.
• INFRAScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training for Informatiker EFZ (Plattformentwicklung).
• Gemeinnützige Baugenossenschaft Limmattal (GBL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing training in 4 professions: horticulture, painting, facility maintenance, and office administration.
• Motel One ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner hotel providing apprenticeship training for Hotel-Kommunikationsfachleute EFZ.
• Kirche LiebfrauencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner church providing apprenticeship training positions.
• Walo Bertschinger AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner construction company providing apprenticeship training for Automatikmonteur/Automatiker EFZ.
• Genossenschaft BaufreundecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner cooperative providing apprenticeship training for Fachmann Betriebsunterhalt EFZ.
• INQUBATOR GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training for Polydesignerin 3D EFZ.
• Baugenossenschaft Rotach ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner housing cooperative providing apprenticeship training for Kauffrau EFZ.
• Digital RealtyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions.
• SR TechnicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions in aviation maintenance.
• UnilabsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing apprenticeship training positions in laboratory/diagnostics.
• m-way SchlierencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bicycle retail company providing apprenticeship training for Fahrradmechaniker EFZ.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• SBFI (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation): Federal regulator setting apprenticeship policy and frameworks in Switzerland; relevant as the authoritative ecosystem counterparty whose frameworks define bvz's operating envelope.
• Walo Bertschinger AG: Major Swiss construction contractor and one of bvz's enterprise partner companies training Automatikmonteur apprentices; included as a representative partner-employer and end-customer for vocational placements.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Schweiz: National federation with extensive vocational-integration, coaching, and apprenticeship-placement services for low-income and migrant populations; larger scope than bvz but materially overlapping in supported-vocational-training services.
• Pro Infirmis Schweiz: Large Swiss disability-advocacy organization running vocational-rehabilitation and supported-employment programs; serves a similar supported-education cohort as bvz's SEd pathway but operates across disabilities, not just vocational training.

Direct peers

• HEKS (Hilfswerk der evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz): National Swiss aid organization running vocational integration and apprenticeship-support programs for disadvantaged populations, with comparable funding mix (donations + public subsidies) and target segment.
• Stiftung Brückenberg: Swiss foundation offering vocational integration and supported education for disadvantaged youth through coordinated apprenticeship placements — the closest structural analogue to bvz's Verbundlehre and SEd model.
• AOZ (Asyl-Organisation Zürich): Zürich-based organization providing vocational training and supported work placements for asylum seekers and refugees, overlapping directly with bvz's coaching and supported-education service lines in the same city.
• Stiftung Profil – Arbeit & Bildung: Swiss foundation focused on vocational integration of disadvantaged youth and adults through coaching, supported education, and employer-matching — closely comparable mission and delivery model to bvz.

Regional players

• SOS Kinderdorf Schweiz: Swiss youth-welfare foundation running education-to-employment pathways, including vocational coaching and apprenticeship matching for care-leavers; comparable cohort (vulnerable youth) and apprenticeship-placement mission.
• Kaufmännisches Bildungszentrum Zürich (KBZ): Established Zürich-based commercial vocational school offering EFZ-level business apprenticeships; competes for the same apprentice segment and partner companies but as a traditional school rather than a Verbund coordinator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bvzberufslehr-verbundzuric1649
• Facebookfacebook.com/bvz.zuerich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Berufslehr-Verbund Zürich