Zawm Eupen

What Zawm Eupen does

ZAWM (Zentrum für Aus- und Weiterbildung des Mittelstandes) is a Belgian non-profit vocational education center (Vereinigung ohne Gewinnerzielungsabsicht) operating the dual education system for the German-speaking Community of Belgium (Ostbelgien). Its core function is integrating theoretical classroom instruction with practical workplace training in partner companies across trades including automotive, construction, metal, wood, green professions, nutrition, energy, transport/logistics, and services. The organization serves approximately 3,500 annual course participants through 160+ teachers, trainers, and administrative staff across two locations in Eupen and St.Vith.

ZAWM's product portfolio spans four core lines: dual vocational apprenticeship training (Lehrlingsausbildung), master craftsman certification (Meisterausbildung), dual bachelor programs in accounting, public and business administration, and insurance brokerage delivered in cooperation with the Autonome Hochschule, and continuing education via the LevelUp academy and Transport-Akademie CAP95. Supporting modules include Anlehre basic training for workforce-entry support, Electude digital learning software for automotive education, and Erasmus+ mobility programs. The organization holds ISO 9001 certification achieved in autumn 2022 following the 2021 merger of ZAWM Eupen and ZAWM St.Vith, and in 2025 launched a fourth year of training in electromobility.

The business model is publicly funded rather than commercially priced. ZAWM operates under the supervision of the IAWM (Institut für Aus- und Weiterbildung im Mittelstand) and is governed by a 16-member Administrative Council representing professional and cross-professional associations. Revenue derives from the German-speaking Community of Belgium for implementing the dual education system rather than from tuition or commercial contracts. The 2025 annual report discloses negative annual results in 2024 and 2025, signaling financial pressure. The organization has no venture capital, private equity, or public ownership structure.

Name

Zawm Eupen

Legal name

Zentrum für Aus- und Weiterbildung des Mittelstandes

Website

https://zawm.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ZAWM is a Belgian non-profit vocational education center providing dual apprenticeship training, master craftsman certification, bachelor programs, and continuing education to approximately 3,500 annual participants across two locations in Eupen and St.Vith, serving the German-speaking Community of Belgium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Eupen

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded Vocational Education: Operates as a non-profit association (Vereinigung ohne Gewinnerzielungsabsicht) under the governance of professional and cross-professional associations, with public funding from the German-speaking Community of Belgium for implementing the dual education system

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ZAWM Eupen is a non-profit vocational education center that delivers dual vocational training (apprenticeships combining classroom instruction with workplace learning), bachelor degree programs in cooperation with partner universities, and continuing professional education through specialized academies. Its target learners include apprentices entering skilled trades, working professionals pursuing master craftsman certification, bachelor students, and adults in career transition.

Product overview

ZAWM offers a comprehensive dual vocational education system consisting of core training programs (dual vocational training/apprenticeships, master craftsman training, and bachelor degree programs) supported by specialized modules (continuing education academy, transport academy, basic training programs, and digital learning tools). The portfolio includes initial professional training for youth, advanced qualifications for working professionals, and bachelor-level education in cooperation with partner institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Duale Ausbildung (Dual Vocational Training) Dual vocational training programs that combine classroom-based instruction with workplace apprenticeships, leading to recognized trade qualifications under the German-style dual education system. Targeted at young apprentices entering skilled trades.
• Meisterausbildung (Master Craftsman Certification) Master craftsman certification programs preparing experienced tradespeople for the formal Meister qualification required for business ownership, supervisory roles, and apprenticeship training rights in regulated trades.
• Bachelorstudiengänge (Bachelor Degree Programs) Bachelor degree programs delivered in cooperation with partner universities, enabling vocational learners to continue into higher education and obtain an academic degree alongside their vocational credentials.
• Weiterbildungsakademie LevelUp (Continuing Education Academy) Continuing education academy offering professional development and reskilling courses for working adults, career changers, and professionals seeking to update their qualifications.
• Transport-Akademie CAP95 Specialized academy focused on transport and logistics vocational training, providing sector-specific qualifications for the mobility and freight sector.
• Anlehre / Anlehre Plus (Pre-Apprenticeship Programs) Pre-apprenticeship programs serving younger learners or those needing foundational preparation before entering formal vocational training pathways.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IAWM (Institut für Aus- und Weiterbildung)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Institute for Training and Vocational Training - the governing body overseeing the dual education system in the German-speaking Community of Belgium; ZAWM operates under IAWM governance for implementing and developing dual vocational education
• Professional and Cross-Professional Associations (Berufliche und Überberufliche Vereinigungen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizations that form the governance structure and trusteeship of ZAWM, providing oversight and support for vocational education development; represented on the administrative council (Verwaltungsrat)
• Ausbildungsbetriebe (Training Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner companies providing practical workplace training positions for apprentices in the dual education system across various trades including automotive, construction, metal, wood, and more

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Akademie: Large private-sector vocational education provider in Germany offering transport, logistics, technical, and safety training. Comparable in transport-academy and continuing-education offerings (e.g., ZAWM's CAP95), but operating at much greater scale and scope.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: Global certification and training group with extensive professional development offerings across technical and skilled trades. Comparable as a continuing-education and certification provider but with broader geographic and sector footprint than ZAWM.

Regional players

• Bruxelles Formation: Brussels-Capital Region's vocational training operator for job seekers and employees. Comparable mission (workforce training, retraining) within Belgium but in a different language community and urban context.
• Forem: Wallonia's public employment and vocational training service. Comparable in offering retraining and continuing education to adults, but operating at much larger scale across the French-speaking community rather than German-speaking Belgium.
• IAWM (Institut für Aus- und Weiterbildung im Mittelstand): Governing body that supervises ZAWM and orchestrates the dual education system across Ostbelgien. While not a direct competitor, IAWM operates adjacent training functions and quality oversight, making it the closest ecosystem peer at the regional level.

Emerging players

• Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw): German vocational education network of employer associations providing dual apprenticeship, master-craftsman, and continuing-education programs. Comparable in employer-led governance model and comprehensive trade offerings, though operating in Bavaria rather than Belgium.
• Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien: Local partner university delivering the dual bachelor programs (Accounting, Public and Business Administration, Insurance Brokerage) that ZAWM integrates into its curriculum. Direct academic partner and closest educational-system peer within Ostbelgien.

Direct peers

• SYNTRA Vlaanderen/Wallonia: Belgian regional networks (SYNTRA Vlaanderen and SYNTRA Wallonie) operate the parallel dual apprenticeship system for SMEs in Flanders and Wallonia. Most direct peer to ZAWM in mandate and dual-education model, differing only by language community.
• Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Crafts): German craft chambers (Handwerkskammern) organize dual apprenticeship and master-craftsman (Meister) training across trades such as automotive, construction, and metalwork — identical to ZAWM's core craft offerings and the same master-craftsman certification model.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK): German chambers of industry and commerce oversee the dual vocational education system in Germany. Closely comparable to ZAWM in pedagogical approach (classroom plus in-firm training) and stakeholder ecosystem (chambers, employers, government).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZAWMEupen
• Instagraminstagram.com/zawm_official

Compliance1 record

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 Zawm Eupen