BONAPI is opening a new training centre in Gliwice – courses for work in Poland and abroad

Not every company starts out with a detailed business plan. Sometimes it all begins much more simply – with a person who has walked the path themselves and later helps others to follow it.

Piotr, the founder and owner of Bonapi Training Centre, began his professional career in the Netherlands as an assistant scaffolder. He did manual labour, learnt the language and gradually came to understand the realities of life as an expat. He learnt the hard way that proper preparation can determine not only how much you earn, but also your safety, self-confidence and opportunities for further development.

It was from these experiences that the centre, which has been operating in the Netherlands since 2018, was born. Initially, it was an initiative developed step by step, often in his spare time and alongside his day-to-day responsibilities. Over time, it has evolved into a modern training centre, through which thousands of trainees pass each year, gaining the qualifications required in the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries.

Today, the story has come full circle. On 27 July 2026, Bonapi opened a new training centre in Gliwice. It is here that the experience gained during many years of operation in the Netherlands meets the needs of Polish workers, businesses and employment agencies.

The aim of the new centre is to create a place where people can prepare both for taking up employment in Poland and for moving abroad – to acquire practical skills, obtain the relevant qualifications and build knowledge that remains relevant long after they have received their certificate.

The new training centre in Gliwice – where did the idea come from?

The idea of opening a training centre in Poland first arose in June 2023. At that time, Piotr set a specific goal: to launch a second Bonapi centre within three years, this time in Poland.

However, this decision was not made in isolation from actual needs. Customers had been asking for some time when Bonapi’s training courses would also be available on the Polish market. These enquiries came from both individuals who wanted to gain qualifications before going abroad and companies looking for employees who were better prepared to start work.

Another important factor was that some of Bonapi’s clients operate in both Poland and the Netherlands. The opening of the centre in Gliwice therefore made it possible to extend the partnership to both markets, whilst maintaining the standards developed over many years of operation in the Netherlands.

Why did Bonapi open a training centre in Gliwice?

The choice of Gliwice was no coincidence. The city is situated at the heart of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis – one of the largest industrial and economic hubs in Poland, home to around 2.1 million people. The region is home to highly developed sectors including manufacturing, logistics, construction and transport – sectors in which practical skills and knowledge of safety procedures are of particular importance.

Transport links were also a key factor. The proximity of the A1 and A4 motorways allows for convenient access from many towns in southern Poland – both for individual participants and for entire groups sent on training courses by their employers. The region’s industrial character is also significant. For generations, Silesia has been associated with industry, technology and work requiring specific skills. It is from here that many fitters, machine operators and technical staff travel to work on projects abroad, including in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the Scandinavian countries.

Gliwice has therefore proved to be a place where the region’s industrial traditions meet a modern approach to vocational training. For Bonapi, this means the opportunity to deliver training close to the people and businesses that actually benefit from it.

Training courses for working in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, available in Poland

For many people, preparations for working abroad only begin once they arrive – from looking for the right course, familiarising themselves with local regulations and gathering the necessary documents. Bonapi turns this order on its head. Some of the essential qualifications can be obtained whilst still in Poland, before starting work with a foreign employer.

The centre in Gliwice runs training courses aimed, amongst others, at people planning to take up employment in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Depending on the course chosen, participants gain practical skills, knowledge of health and safety, and certificates recognised in specific foreign markets.

A significant advantage is the option to attend classes in Polish or English. Some of the theoretical materials and online courses are also available in many other languages, allowing participants to prepare for their exams in the way that suits them best. This is particularly important in the case of technical training – a language barrier should not hinder the understanding of the principles on which the safety of an individual and their colleagues depends.

This kind of preparation ensures a smoother and more organised start. Rather than having to start looking for training courses and sorting out any outstanding paperwork on arrival, the employee can acquire the necessary skills in advance and gain a better understanding of the requirements of their future role. This means less improvisation, lower organisational costs and a better chance of starting work without unnecessary delays.

What courses and training programmes are available at Bonapi Gliwice?

The range of services offered by the centre in Gliwice is expanding in two directions. The first covers training to prepare people for work abroad, whilst the second covers courses and qualifications required for the Polish labour market.

The international training programmes will include, amongst others, VCA, SCC, forklift truck courses, aerial work platform courses, DNV scaffolding erector courses and SOG Heftruck – front-loading forklift truck courses.

Courses in Poland and an exam in the Netherlands – how does this training model work?

Every country has its own regulations, industry standards and certification systems. For this reason, foreign qualifications cannot simply be transferred to Poland and examinations conducted according to arbitrarily set rules. It is not only the training programme that matters, but also who is authorised to assess participants’ knowledge and skills, where the examination should take place, and which institution is responsible for issuing and registering the certificate.

A good example is the qualifications for scaffolding fitters required in the Dutch market. The training programmes, examination requirements and rules for verifying competence are set out by SVWOH. Examinations may only be conducted by authorised examination bodies, and upon passing, the certificate is issued by the relevant certifying body, such as DNV. The document is then registered in the Dutch SSVV Central Register of Diplomas.

This is precisely why preparation for the exam can take place in Gliwice, whilst the exam itself is conducted in the Netherlands by an authorised body. Participants acquire theoretical knowledge and practise practical skills in Poland, and then sit the official assessment in accordance with the rules of the Dutch certification system.

A similar model is used for the SOG Heftruck course. Candidates prepare in Poland, covering both theory and practice, whilst the final examination takes place at Bonapi’s Dutch branch in Spijkenisse, in accordance with the requirements of the local certification system.

The organisation of the SCC 017 and SCC 018 qualifications is different; these are used primarily in the German market, although they are also recognised in other countries. Exams for employees and management staff may only be conducted within the relevant certification system by bodies holding the appropriate accreditation. In Germany, this system is overseen by DAkkS – the national accreditation body. Bonapi delivers SCC training and examinations in collaboration with an authorised certification body operating within a system accredited by DAkkS. In this case, the entire process – from theoretical preparation to the examination – takes place in Poland.

For the trainee, the whole process remains simple and transparent. Theoretical and practical training takes place as close as possible to the trainee’s place of residence, and travelling abroad is only necessary when required by the rules of the relevant certification scheme. This helps to minimise travel and accommodation costs, whilst giving the employer the assurance that the candidate has been properly prepared, assessed and is familiar with the requirements of their future role.

Vocational training for people with no experience

A lack of experience need not be an obstacle to embarking on a new career path. Bonapi offers training courses aimed at both those who have been working in the industry for years and those who are just looking to gain their first qualifications.

Beginners can start learning with us from scratch and then gradually develop their skills and gain further qualifications. An important part of our service is also helping you choose the right course. Not every certificate is required for every role, which is why the Bonapi team advises on which qualifications are required in a specific industry and country.

Someone planning to work in a petrochemical plant in the Netherlands may need different qualifications to a warehouse worker or forklift operator in Poland. The right training helps you avoid costly mistakes and better prepare for taking up employment.

Those travelling from further afield will also be able to make use of accommodation. This is a practical solution for courses lasting several days (such as scaffolding erector training or two-day courses), allowing participants to focus on their studies without having to commute daily.

Training courses for companies and employment agencies in Gliwice

The BONAPI Centre in Gliwice serves as a training facility for companies, employment agencies and organisations carrying out projects in the Silesian Voivodeship, in other regions of Poland and abroad. Employers can send individual candidates or entire groups being prepared for a specific role to attend courses.

The scope of the training can be tailored to the industry, employees’ duties and the requirements of a given project. Bonapi also helps to verify whether candidates possess the appropriate knowledge, skills and preparation for the subsequent certification process.

For companies, this means more efficient organisation of training, a single point of contact and the ability to prepare a team to a uniform standard. Multilingual support and experience gained in the Dutch market also facilitate cooperation with foreign employers and international recruitment agencies.

Our distinguishing feature will be our multilingual team of trainers and administrative staff,

enabling us to serve clients from various countries to the highest standard.

A modern training centre in Gliwice covering an area of over 2,000 m²

The Bonapi Centre in Gliwice covers over 2,000 m² of usable floor space and combines areas for theoretical learning with extensive practical facilities. One of the centre’s key features is a training hall covering over 440 m², designed for technical exercises and practical sessions using machinery.

The centre currently has three fully equipped training rooms. Ultimately, this number is set to increase to seven, which will enable several different courses to be run simultaneously and allow for more efficient handling of larger groups of participants.

The practical facilities include five modern machines and new equipment for learning scaffolding erection, selected to meet current training and examination requirements. This enables participants to practise in conditions similar to those they will later encounter at work.

The centre’s grounds are fenced and monitored. A large, paved area provides space for outdoor classes and will also allow for the future expansion of further practical training stations. A relaxation area has also been set up inside the building, where participants can enjoy a coffee and a meal between classes. In subsequent stages of development, there are also plans to open a shop selling health and safety equipment on the centre’s premises.

BONAPI Gliwice – the experience of a training centre from the Netherlands

Bonapi Training Centre has been operating in the Netherlands for many years and, during that time, has developed its own standards for organising training courses, supporting trainees and collaborating with companies from various countries. Consequently, the experience gained has made it possible to significantly speed up the preparation of the new centre. A process that might have taken around two years for the first location was successfully reduced to approximately six months in Poland. The team already knew how to plan the practical facilities, equip the classrooms, organise procedures and prepare staff to work according to uniform guidelines.

Consequently, the centres in Gliwice and Spijkenisse operate according to common standards. Instructors and administrative teams from both countries exchange knowledge, develop training programmes and ensure that trainees receive the same level of support regardless of where they begin their studies.

UDT Training Courses in Gliwice – Expanding BONAPI’s Training Offer

The development of the centre in Gliwice does not end with the range of courses available on the opening day. We plan to gradually expand the range of training courses, responding to the real needs of the labour market in Poland and abroad.

In subsequent phases, we aim to launch UDT training courses for overhead travelling cranes, tower cranes and hoists, as well as expand our range of welding courses. Our plans also include training for industrial insulation fitters and GWO courses, preparing participants for work on the construction and maintenance of wind farms.

This expansion of our offering will go hand in hand with investments in new machinery and additional practical training stations. At the same time, we aim to develop our multilingual e-learning platform so that an even greater proportion of theoretical training can be delivered efficiently and practically – online.

One of our key objectives is also to obtain ISO 9001 certification. This is intended to streamline organisational processes and confirm that training is delivered in accordance with consistent quality standards.

However, we are not keen on introducing as many courses as possible in a short space of time. We want to develop our offering in stages – alongside the appropriate equipment, facilities, staff and necessary accreditations.

BONAPI Training Centre, Gliwice – enrolment, contact details and course datesThe Bonapi Centre in Gliwice runs training courses for individuals, employees and entire groups referred by companies and employment agencies. The programme is open to both those embarking on a new career path and experienced employees wishing to gain further qualifications.

The team helps participants choose a course tailored to a specific role, sector and the country in which they intend to work. Where permitted by the rules of the relevant certification system, the entire process – from preparation to the exam – takes place in Poland.

Current dates, prices and information on available training courses can be found at bonapi.pl.