Schulungs- Und Servicezentrum Vest Gmbh

What Schulungs- Und Servicezentrum Vest Gmbh does

Schulungs- und Servicezentrum Vest GmbH is a privately held German vocational training and education center headquartered in Recklinghausen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The company delivers state-recognized retraining programs (Umschulung), continuing education (Weiterbildung), advanced short courses (Fortbildung), and occupational aptitude assessments (Erprobung) for skilled trades. Its curriculum spans metal construction, welding technology certified to DIN EN ISO 9606-01/02 (WIG/MIG/MAG), masonry, concrete work, plastering, tiling, forklift operation, and warehouse logistics. The center was formally incorporated in February 2009 as a dedicated spinoff of the Metallinnung Vest Recklinghausen — the regional metal trades guild established in 1923 — with stage-based construction training launching in June 2009. Today it serves 12+ cities across the Ruhr region including Bochum, Dortmund, Essen, Wuppertal, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, Hamm, Herdecke, Iserlohn, Soest, Beckum, and Arnsberg, and is led by Managing Director (Geschäftsführer) Christian Müller with Karsten Röhring serving as Vorstand/Obermeister representing the parent guild.

The company's core product portfolio is delivered through modern teaching rooms and hands-on workshops at its Recklinghausen facility, complemented by digital support assets including a course finder tool, an online trade glossary (Fachlexikon), a Spotify podcast, and an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot for prospective students. The organization maintains a direct-to-consumer distribution model: enrollment via the company website, in-person consultation, phone, and WhatsApp contact, with no third-party resellers or marketplace channels. Service modules also include inter-company apprentice training (Überbetriebliche Lehrlingsunterweisung) and vocational training financing guidance covering Bildungsgutschein, German Pension Insurance, and employers' liability insurance pathways.

Revenue is generated from professional service fees for training programs, with a significant portion of enrollments funded through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) issued by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and Jobcenter, which cover tuition as well as travel and accommodation costs. The customer base is hybrid: individual job-seekers and career-changers receiving government-funded retraining, employed tradespeople pursuing advancement qualifications (e.g., master craftsman / Metallbaumeister certification), and small to medium-sized craft/trade businesses that rely on the center for inter-company apprenticeship support. Pricing is not publicly disclosed on the website and is provided upon consultation.

Name

Schulungs- Und Servicezentrum Vest Gmbh

Legal name

Schulungs- und Servicezentrum Vest GmbH

Website

https://sus-zentrum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Schulungs- und Servicezentrum Vest GmbH is a German vocational training center in Recklinghausen offering state-recognized retraining, continuing education, and certification programs in skilled trades (welding, metalwork, construction, logistics) for individual learners, tradespeople, and craft businesses across the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Recklinghausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course/Training Fees: Revenue generated from vocational retraining programs (Umschulung), continuing education courses (Weiterbildung), short courses (Fortbildung), and aptitude testing (Erprobung). Course fees are charged according to individual programs.
2. Government-Funded Training Vouchers: Courses can be funded through Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and Jobcenter, covering tuition fees as well as travel and accommodation costs. This represents a significant funding channel for participants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Schulungs- und Servicezentrum Vest GmbH operates a vocational training center in Recklinghausen delivering state-recognized retraining (Umschulung), continuing education (Weiterbildung), short advanced courses (Fortbildung), and aptitude assessments (Erprobung) in skilled trades such as welding, metal construction, masonry, tiling, plastering, and warehouse logistics. It also offers inter-company apprentice training (Überbetriebliche Lehrlingsunterweisung) and supporting digital tools including a WhatsApp chatbot, online trade dictionary, and podcast. Programs are eligible for government funding via Bildungsgutschein issued by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter.

Product overview

Schulungs- und Servicezentrum Vest GmbH operates as a vocational training and education center offering a unified platform of retraining (Umschulung), continuing education (Weiterbildung), and advanced training (Fortbildung) programs for skilled trades. The company functions as a multi-service provider with a portfolio of interconnected programs including construction trades (masonry, concrete work, plastering, tiling), metalworking (precision mechanics, metal construction, welding technology), warehouse logistics (forklift operations, warehouse logistics), and trade-specific certifications. Supporting services include vocational training financing guidance, inter-company apprentice training, an online trade dictionary, a WhatsApp chatbot for prospective students, and a company podcast. The offering architecture is organized around core educational programs supplemented by digital tools and content resources, serving both employed individuals seeking advancement and job seekers requiring retraining.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Umschulung (Vocational Retraining Programs) State-recognized retraining programs covering skilled trades including Beton- und Stahlbetonbauer (HWK), Fachkraft Lagerlogistik (IHK), Fachlagerist (IHK), Feinwerkmechaniker (specializing in machining), Fliesen-/Platten-/Mosaikleger, Maurer (HWK), Metallbauer (construction technology), and Stuckateur. Designed for individuals seeking recognized vocational qualifications, typically funded via Bildungsgutschein.
• Weiterbildung (Continuing Education) Advanced professional development courses for working tradespeople, including Metallbaumeister preparation, modular pipe fitting training per isometry, international Schweißfachmann (welding specialist) certification, and welding certificate courses for TIG/MIG-MAG techniques. Targeted at employed tradespeople seeking advancement qualifications.
• Fortbildung (Advanced Short Courses) Short-term training courses covering Brandschutzhelfer (fire protection assistant), instruction in hand-guided woodworking machines, weekend welding courses, Erste Hilfe (first aid) for company first responders, Ladungssicherung (cargo securing) for transport personnel, VDI 2700a cargo securing qualification, and annual cargo securing briefings. Designed for in-service upskilling of employees in regulated roles.
• Erprobung (Aptitude/Trial Programs) Occupational trial and aptitude assessment programs for Bauhandwerk (construction trades), Lagerlogistik (warehouse logistics), and Metallhandwerk (metal trades), offered in full-time or part-time formats. Used by job centers and candidates to evaluate suitability for a retraining pathway.
• Flurförderfahrzeug Fahrer Ausbildung (Forklift Operator Training) Two-level forklift operator training (Stufe 1 and Stufe 2) covering safe operation, high-bay warehouse operations, and reach truck handling, fulfilling legal qualification requirements for forklift drivers in logistics and warehouse settings.
• Schweißtechnik (Welding Technology Training) Welding certification programs covering TIG (WIG), MIG/MAG, and electrode welding techniques, with certification according to DIN EN ISO 9606-01/02 standards. Delivered at the Recklinghausen welding workshop by master metalworker and certified welding specialists.
• Überbetriebliche Lehrlingsunterweisung (Inter-Company Apprentice Training) Inter-company vocational training support for apprentices in skilled trades, supplementing company-based and school-based training components. Targeted at member companies of the Metallinnung Vest and other craft/trade businesses that need additional practical training capacity for their apprentices.
• Förderung der beruflichen Bildung (Vocational Training Financing Advisory) Advisory and administrative service guiding participants through financing their vocational training via Bildungsgutschein (education voucher) from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter, German Pension Insurance (DRV), or employers' liability insurance associations (BG). Helps cover tuition as well as travel and accommodation costs.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Metallinnung Vest Recklinghausen (Metal Trades Guild Vest)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Schulungs- und Servicezentrum Vest GmbH originated from the Metallinnung Vest Recklinghausen, which has existed since 1923. The guild continues to be connected through organizational ties, with Hans-Joachim Balster serving as Key Account Manager for Bildungsseinrichtungen representing the Metall Innung Vest. The company conducts stage training (Stufenausbildung) for companies in the construction trades.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf Bildungszentrum: HWK Düsseldorf's Bildungszentrum provides apprenticeship, Meister, and continuing education in construction, metal, and finishing trades for NRW chambers. Same trades, similar ÜBL focus, and overlapping geography — a regional chamber-affiliated peer to SuS Zentrum.
• bfz Bildungszentrum Bau-ABC Rostrup: Bau-ABC Rostrup / bfz Bau is a leading inter-company construction training center delivering ÜBL apprenticeship programs and continuing education across building trades. It is highly comparable to SuS Zentrum's construction and apprenticeship offerings, though concentrated in northern Germany.

Direct peers

• FAW Fortbildungsakademie der Wirtschaft: FAW delivers AZAV-certified vocational retraining and continuing education across Germany with chamber recognition. Directly comparable to SuS Zentrum in funding model (Bildungsgutschein), segments (job seekers and upskillers), and trade coverage; larger geographically broader peer.
• Handwerkskammer Bildungszentrum (HWK): The local Handwerkskammer (chamber of crafts) Bildungszentrum in the Vest Recklinghausen area is a chamber-affiliated training provider for trade apprenticeships, Meisterkurse, and continuing education. It is the most direct local peer to SuS Zentrum, sharing geography, audience, and guild affiliation through the Metallinnung Vest lineage.
• bbw Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft: bbw is a non-profit vocational education network providing apprenticeship training, retraining, and continuing education largely funded through German employment agencies. It is a direct peer to SuS Zentrum in apprenticeship/ÜBL services and trade retraining, but serves Bavaria/Hesse rather than NRW.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: DAA is a major AZAV-certified adult education provider delivering Bildungsgutschein-funded retraining and continuing education across trades, logistics, and technical occupations. It directly mirrors SuS Zentrum's funding model and learner segments, but operates at national scale with many sites.
• BBQ Bildung und Berufliche Qualifizierung: BBQ is a German vocational training provider focused on retraining, upskilling, and integration through Bildungs-gutschein-funded courses in trades and logistics. Directly comparable to SuS Zentrum in target customers, funding channels, and program mix, though it operates across multiple German states.

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie is one of Germany's largest private vocational education and certification providers, offering forklift, welding, logistics, and trades training funded through Bildungsgutschein. It is a much larger broad-incumbent peer operating multiple sites across Germany, while SuS Zentrum focuses on the same trades in a single regional footprint.
• IB Internationaler Bund: IB is a large Germany-wide education and social services provider offering vocational retraining, continuing education, and integration programs across trades. A broad-incumbent peer to SuS Zentrum with comparable educational programs but a much broader portfolio including social services and youth programs.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland Akademie offers certified vocational and continuing education in technical trades and safety-related topics, including welding, forklift, and construction certifications. It is a broad-incumbent peer in the same educational category with national reach but a more diversified portfolio than SuS Zentrum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/suszentrumvest
• Instagraminstagram.com/susvestgmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schulungs-und-servicezentrum-vest-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Schulungs- Und Servicezentrum Vest Gmbh