What Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH does

Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH is a German non-profit (gGmbH) vocational education and social-services provider headquartered in Essen, operating 30 sites across North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, and Brandenburg: 23 Bildungszentren (education centers) and 9 Pflegeschulen (nursing schools), plus 12 Inklusionsbüros. Founded in 1990 as a regional arm of the Kolping Bildungsunternehmen (a Catholic social association that collectively operates ~230 educational institutions with ~8,200 employees), the company serves three principal customer groups: job seekers and career changers (via Umschulungen, Teilqualifikationen, and Qualifizierungen); employers (via Verbundausbildung, employee upskilling, and Job-Speed-Dating recruiting events); and vulnerable populations (refugees/migrants via BAMF-certified Integrationskurse, children with disabilities via Inklusionsassistenz/Schulbegleitung, and individuals in need of resocialization and youth welfare services).

The product portfolio spans the full learning lifecycle and includes: retraining and partial qualifications in trades, commercial, and healthcare fields; three-year Pflegefachkraft and one-year Pflegefachassistenz training; TechnikPlus continuing-education seminars; Kenntnisprüfung preparatory courses for internationally trained nurses; free Sprachcafés for informal German practice; and the "Come Together" multilingual women's orientation center. Underlying delivery is in-person and instructor-led, with no proprietary technology platform or AI components - the business is fundamentally a people-and-locations operation rather than a software product.

Revenue is generated primarily through multi-year government framework contracts (BAMF integration courses, Jobcenter Maßnahmen, Agentur für Arbeit Bildungsgutscheine), supplemented by employer-funded training and participant fees for open seminars. AZAV accreditation, DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification, and BAMF authorization are the regulatory keystones that unlock the public-revenue streams. The go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, relying on Job-Speed-Dating formats, Tag der offenen Tür events, and close working relationships with municipal Jobcenters and Arbeitsagenturen across the three-state footprint. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; eligible participants typically access services via Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers).

Name

Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH

Legal name

Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH

Website

https://kolping-bildung-deutschland.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH is a non-profit vocational education provider in Germany, operating 23 Bildungszentren and 9 Pflegeschulen across NRW, Saarland, and Brandenburg. It delivers retraining, nursing education, integration courses, and inclusion assistance, primarily funded through federal and state government programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Apprenticeship Training (611513), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL)

Keywords

• Vocational education training
• Nursing school programs
• Integration language courses
• Inclusion assistance services
• Retraining qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices20 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. Government-funded vocational training: Revenue primarily from government-funded programs including BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) integration courses, Jobcenter qualification measures, and Agentur für Arbeit training vouchers. Services for job seekers are typically funded through Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers).
2. Employer-funded training: Companies pay for employee training, retraining, and qualification programs. Also includes vocational training (Verbundausbildung) partnerships with regional companies.
3. Seminar and course fees: Fees for open seminars and continuing education courses, including TechnikPlus seminars. Bildungsschecks can be applied to reduce costs for participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH delivers vocational education, retraining, and partial qualification programs through 23 Bildungszentren and 9 Pflegeschulen across NRW, Saarland, and Brandenburg. It also provides BAMF-authorized integration courses, school inclusion assistance (Schulbegleitung), nursing education, youth welfare, and resocialization services, primarily funded through government education vouchers (Bildungsgutscheine) and employer contracts.

Product overview

Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH operates a multi-faceted educational services platform consisting of 23 Bildungszentren (education centers) and 9 Pflegeschulen (nursing schools) across NRW, Saarland, and Brandenburg. The core offerings include vocational education and retraining programs (Umschulungen, Teilqualifikationen, Qualifizierungen), TechnikPlus seminars for technical trades, and comprehensive nursing education at Pflegeschulen. Supporting services include Inklusionsassistenz (school inclusion assistance with Schulbegleiter:innen), Integration services with BAMF-authorized language courses, Job-Speed-Dating recruitment events, and free Sprachcafé language practice sessions. The company also provides youth welfare and resocialization services. The portfolio spans the entire learning lifecycle from youth career orientation through adult vocational retraining to nursing professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TechnikPlus Seminare: Technical plus seminars offering professional development courses in technology-related fields.
• Come Together
• Sprachcafé

Products and services

• Vocational Education (Berufliche Bildung) Comprehensive vocational education and training programs including initial professional training, retraining (Umschulungen), partial qualifications (Teilqualifikationen), and vocational qualifications (Qualifizierungen) across various industries and trades, targeting job seekers, career changers, and individuals seeking re-entry into the labor market.
• Retraining Programs (Umschulungen) Professional retraining programs enabling career changers to obtain new qualifications, with offerings in trades/technical fields, commercial/administrative fields, and healthcare/nursing, typically funded via Bildungsgutscheine from Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
• Partial Qualifications (Teilqualifikationen) Modular training segments allowing participants to earn partial qualifications that can be accumulated toward full professional qualifications, facilitating step-by-step career advancement for job seekers and career changers.
• TechnikPlus Seminare Technical seminars and continuing-education courses covering practical skills in trade and technical fields, offered as a continuing-education line for professionals seeking technology upskilling, with fees payable by individuals (Bildungsschecks applicable).
• Pflegeschulen (Nursing Schools) Nine nursing schools offering training as Pflegefachkraft (nursing specialist) and Pflegefachassistenz (nursing assistant), plus continuing education for nursing professionals including practical instructor training (Praxisanleitung in der Pflege) and care management courses, targeting nursing aspirants and existing nursing staff.
• Inclusion Assistance (Inklusionsassistenz / Schulbegleitung) School integration assistance services placing trained Schulbegleiter:innen (school inclusion assistants) to support children and youth with physical, motor, emotional, or intellectual disabilities in mainstream schools and kindergartens, coordinated via 12 Inklusionsbüros.
• Integration Services (BAMF-Authorized Language Courses) Integration programs including BAMF-authorized Integrationskurse (integration courses) targeting A2/B1, occupational language training, and vocational integration services for refugees and migrants, delivered as a certified BAMF language course provider.
• Continuing Education for Nursing Professionals (Fort- und Weiterbildung Pflege) Continuing education and professional development courses for nursing staff and other professionals, including specialized training in care management, Praxisanleitung (practical instruction), and a five-month full-time preparation course on the Kenntnisprüfung for international nursing professionals seeking recognition of foreign healthcare credentials.
• Job-Speed-Dating Recruitment Events Recruitment event format bringing together job seekers and employers for rapid, direct introductions, organized by Kolping Bildung Deutschland on behalf of Jobcenters and Agentur für Arbeit across multiple German cities, including Frankfurt am Main, Hagen, and Siegen.
• Youth Welfare Services (Jugendhilfe) Youth support services including the Jugendberatungsstelle Wesel (Jubs), providing career guidance and personal development support for young people across locations.
• Resocialization Services (Resozialisierung) Rehabilitation and reintegration services supporting individuals in returning to the workforce after involvement with the justice system, offered as part of the social-services portfolio.
• Bildungszentren (Education Centers Network) Network of 23 Bildungszentren (education centers) across NRW, Saarland, and Brandenburg that deliver in-person vocational training, retraining, qualification programs, and continuing education, providing regional access points for individuals and employer clients.
• Come Together Orientation Center Multilingual and culturally sensitive orientation center for women with and without migration or refugee backgrounds, particularly single mothers, offering career counseling and labor-market integration support in multiple languages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2.869 junge Erwachsene seit Bestehen betreut, begleitet und/oder ausgebildet (Standort Fürstenwalde)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Agentur für Arbeit Frankfurt am MaincoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026Veranstaltung des Job-Speed-Datings in Frankfurt am Main in Kooperation mit der Arbeitsagentur und dem Jobcenter Frankfurt.
• Wirtschaftsförderung FrankfurtminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026Kooperation bei der Durchführung des Job-Speed-Datings in Frankfurt am Main.
• Jobcenter HagencoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 November 2025Durchführung des Job-Speed-Datings im Auftrag des Jobcenters Hagen. Rund 120 Arbeitssuchende und 20 Unternehmen nehmen teil.
• DenkArbeit gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Gemeinsames Sprachcafé in Gelsenkirchen. Bietet kostenlose Sprachübungen und Austausch für alle Interessierten ab 16 Jahren.
• Jobcenter Kreis Siegen-WittgensteincoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 July 2025Im Auftrag des Jobcenters organisiert Kolping Bildung Deutschland Job-Speed-Dating Veranstaltungen für Arbeitssuchende und Unternehmen.
• DenkArbeit gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Kooperation bei der Einrichtung des Sprachcafés in Dortmund Kirchlinde. Gemeinsames Angebot zur Stärkung der Deutschkenntnisse für Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund.
• Kreis Unna - Dezernat für GesundheitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Kooperation zur Stärkung des Pflegenetzwerks. Gemeinsame Netzwerkarbeit zur Schließung von Versorgungslücken in der Pflege.
• VDP Verband Deutscher Privatschulen NRWminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2023Organisator der Tage der Freien Schulen NRW, bei dem Kolping Bildung Deutschland als Privatschulanbieter teilnimmt.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• bbw Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft: bbw is one of Germany's largest non-profit vocational education providers, offering Umschulungen, Teilqualifikationen, and integration courses with strong employer partnerships. Closely comparable to Kolping's multi-state vocational and integration service mix.
• maxQ im bfw: maxQ is a German provider specializing in nursing/healthcare vocational training and Pflegeschulen, integrated with the bfw network. Highly comparable to Kolping's nursing school business and Pflegefachkraft offering.
• Euro-Schulen: Euro-Schulen is a German network providing language/integration courses, vocational retraining, and Pflegeausbildung. Directly comparable to Kolping's combination of BAMF integration courses, vocational training, and Pflegeschulen.
• FAW – Fortbildungsakademie der Wirtschaft: FAW delivers AZAV-certified vocational retraining, qualification measures, and integration programs across Germany with regional Bildungszentren. Operates a near-identical service model to Kolping's Bildungszentren, including Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit contract relationships.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland Akademie offers AZAV-accredited vocational training, retraining, and certified qualification programs for individuals and employers. Comparable to Kolping's Bildungszentren network in delivering publicly funded re-skilling and technical training.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie is a leading German provider of vocational retraining (Umschulungen), AZAV-certified qualification measures, and continuing education across multiple sectors. Directly comparable to Kolping's Berufliche Bildung business line, including government-funded re-skilling for jobseekers.
• Ludwig Fresenius Schulen: Ludwig Fresenius Schulen operates a network of German Pflegeschulen and healthcare schools offering Pflegefachkraft and Pflegefachassistenz training. Directly comparable to Kolping's 9 Pflegeschulen nursing education vertical.
• DAA – Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: DAA delivers vocational retraining, integration/language courses, and continuing education across Germany, with strong BAMF and Jobcenter contract relationships. Directly comparable to Kolping's combination of vocational training and integration services.
• BBQ Bildung und Berufliche Qualifizierung: BBQ is a German vocational education provider offering Umschulungen, Teilqualifikationen, and integration courses through a multi-site network with AZAV certification. Operates a very similar model to Kolping's Bildungszentren business.
• bfw – Berufsfortbildungswerk: bfw is one of Germany's largest vocational education and training providers, operating AZAV-certified centers for retraining, qualification, and integration. Highly comparable in scale and service mix to Kolping Bildung Deutschland's Bildungszentren.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH