Federal Institute For Vocational Training

What Federal Institute For Vocational Training does

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung, BIBB) is Germany's national reference point for vocational education and training, established in 1970 as a federal institution under public law and operating under the administrative oversight of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Headquartered in Bonn with 501-1000 employees, BIBB serves as the official coordination body for Germany's dual VET system, conducting research, providing policy advice, modernizing training occupations, and facilitating international cooperation in vocational education and training. Its primary stakeholders include the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, German companies offering apprenticeship positions, vocational schools and training institutions, and international VET institutions and foreign governments seeking cooperation with Germany on dual VET models.

BIBB's core offerings span advisory services including GOVET (international VET cooperation with landing pages in nine languages), iMOVE (international training partnerships), ReferNet (European VET network coordinated by Cedefop), and DEQA-VET (quality assurance network). The institute maintains the German Qualifications Framework (DQR) — an eight-level instrument aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) — and operates digital tools such as the BLok online training documentation system and the VET Glossary. Its publication portfolio includes annual VET Data Reports, BIBB research reports, the BWP (Berufsbildung in Wissenschaft und Praxis) professional journal published six times yearly, and the Ausbildung gestalten implementation guide series for training companies. Technical capabilities include longitudinal data collection from BIBB surveys of newly concluded training contracts (approximately 486,700 in 2024) and Federal Employment Agency statistics.

As a federally-funded institution, BIBB does not generate commercial revenue; its funding derives from the German federal government budget allocated for vocational education and training research and policy support. Services and publications are distributed through the institutional website bibb.de, specialized portals (GOVET, ReferNet, DEQA-VET, iMOVE), publishing partners (Verlag Barbara Budrich, W. Bertelsmann Verlag, Steiner Verlag), and international cooperation networks. In 2026, BIBB has actively expanded its international footprint across Latin America (5-year Alliance milestone), Africa (Nigeria Green Skills, Ghana engagement), and Asia (Uzbekistan Joint Declaration, Indonesia success stories), while deepening EU-level engagement through Cedefop, ReferNet forums, and OECD Skills Summit participation.

Name

Federal Institute For Vocational Training

Legal name

Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung

Website

https://bibb.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) is Germany's federally-funded research institute coordinating the dual vocational education and training system, providing policy advice, training standards, qualifications frameworks, and international VET cooperation services to federal ministries, German companies, and foreign governments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training Research Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Reporting, Dashboards & Business Intelligence (BI) (EDADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH), Accreditation & Metrology Cooperation (Calibration, Measurement Standards) (BPADANAE)

Keywords

• Vocational education research
• VET policy advisory
• Training standards development
• Qualifications frameworks
• International VET cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Institutional Funding: As a federal government institution established under public law, BIBB operates as a federally-funded research institute. The institute receives public funding for its research, advisory services, and international cooperation activities in vocational education and training.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Federal Institute For Vocational Training (BIBB) is Germany's federal research institute that conducts research, develops training standards, and provides advisory services for the German dual vocational education and training (VET) system. It manages the German Qualifications Framework (DQR), publishes annual VET Data Reports and research reports, offers implementation guides for training occupations, and operates international cooperation services (GOVET, iMOVE, ReferNet). Its products and services are aimed at federal ministries, training companies, vocational schools, and international VET institutions.

Product overview

The Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) operates as a research and service institution providing comprehensive vocational education and training resources. The portfolio consists of advisory services (GOVET for international cooperation, iMOVE for training partnerships, ReferNet for European VET network), qualification frameworks (DQR aligned with EQF), digital tools (BLok online training documentation), reference resources (VET Glossary), and diverse publications including annual VET Data Reports, BIBB research Reports, the BWP professional journal, and the Ausbildung gestalten implementation guide series. These offerings support the German dual vocational training system through research, standardization, international cooperation, and practical training resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GOVET: One-stop shop for international VET cooperation, providing advisory services to foreign governments and institutions
• iMOVE
• ReferNet
• DEQA-VET

Products and services

• GOVET (German International VET Cooperation) International advisory and cooperation service for German vocational education and training, providing a one-stop shop for guidance, expertise, and resources to international partners including foreign governments, VET institutions, and organizations seeking to implement dual training models. Operates landing pages in nine languages.
• iMOVE (International Marketing of Vocational Training) Marketing and support service for international training partnerships, connecting German training providers and companies with international partners to facilitate cross-border VET cooperation and training placements.
• ReferNet (European VET Network) European network for vocational education and training intelligence, providing information, analysis, and updates on VET developments across European countries, with a focus on recognition of foreign qualifications, excellence, international mobility, and AI in VET.
• German Qualifications Framework (DQR) Framework instrument for alignment and comparability of qualifications in the German educational system, with eight levels linked to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), making German qualifications comparable across Europe.
• VET Data Reports Annual comprehensive data report providing statistics, analyses, and international benchmarks on the German vocational education and training system, covering initial and continuing VET data.
• BIBB Reports Series of research reports covering VET-related topics such as training markets, disability employment, competence assessment, and occupational analysis, providing in-depth research findings for policymakers and practitioners.
• BWP (Berufsbildung in Wissenschaft und Praxis) Journal Professional journal published six times per year covering vocational education and training research, policy, and practice, targeting researchers, policymakers, and VET practitioners.
• BLok - Online Training Documentation System Online training documentation system (Berichtsheft) allowing apprentices and training companies to record, track, and manage training progress digitally throughout the apprenticeship period.
• VET Glossary Online glossary providing standardized terms and definitions used in vocational education and training, particularly in the context of the German dual VET system.
• Ausbildung gestalten (Training Design) Series Series of implementation guides for training occupations, providing practical support for training companies with learning situations, templates, and checklists to standardize and improve apprenticeship quality.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance for Dual VET in Latin America and the CaribbeancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIBB has been supporting the Alliance in technical and strategic matters since its foundation. The Alliance celebrated its fifth anniversary in June 2026 and includes countries from Latin America and the Caribbean working to implement dual vocational training models.
• ReferNetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean VET network coordinated by Cedefop in which BIBB represents Germany. Network focuses on recognition of foreign qualifications, excellence, international mobility and AI in VET. BIBB hosts ReferNet Partnership Forum events.
• GOVET (German Office for International Cooperation in Vocational Training)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne-stop shop for international VET cooperation, advisory services, and information provision for international partners interested in German vocational education and training. Operates landing pages in nine languages.
• iMOVE (International Marketing of Vocational Training)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIBB program that markets German vocational training services internationally and facilitates international partnerships for training providers and companies.
• CedefopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Centre for the Development of Vocational Training - BIBB cooperates with Cedefop on European VET issues through the ReferNet network and joint events.
• SENATI (Peru)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeru's National Service for Industrial Vocational Training took over the 4th presidency of the Alliance for Dual VET in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026, with BIBB technical support.
• German Federal Ministry of Education (BMBF)coreOthersBIBB operates under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which initiates cooperation in vocational education and training, such as the joint declaration with Uzbekistan.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIBB experts work with GIZ on international projects such as the SKYE project in Nigeria for Green Skills training and youth employment.
• OECDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIBB participates in OECD Skills Summits and the TGTA (Towards a Global TVET Agenda) initiative for international VET development dialogue.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training): EU-level VET agency coordinating VET research, policy, and the ReferNet network (which BIBB co-hosts). Most direct peer — same mission, overlapping scope, and explicit coordination relationship.
• European Training Foundation (ETF): EU agency supporting VET reform in EU partner countries, with overlapping mandate in international VET cooperation and policy advisory. Closely comparable to BIBB's international cooperation work.
• UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for TVET: UN agency centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, coordinating global TVET policy and capacity building. Comparable mission in international VET cooperation and standards work.
• OECD Skills and Employability Division: OECD division producing PIAAC, Skills Outlook, and policy analysis on VET and skills systems. BIBB actively participates in OECD Skills Summits and TGTA — directly comparable research and policy advisory function.
• Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET): Switzerland's federal VET institution, also offering top-level VET research, training of trainers, and policy support for a national dual VET system. Closest national-level peer to BIBB.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Germany's federal agency for international development cooperation, frequently partnering with BIBB on international VET projects (e.g., SKYE Nigeria). Comparable in international VET project delivery and government-mandate footing.
• ILO (International Labour Organization): UN agency addressing skills development, apprenticeships, and TVET policy globally. BIBB engages with ILO on international VET frameworks; comparable scope in global skills and TVET policy.
• World Bank - Education Global Practice: Major funder and policy shaper in global skills development, with active programs in TVET reform in developing economies. Comparable in driving international VET policy dialogue and funding.

Emerging players

• Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF): Parent ministry that initiates bilateral VET cooperation and oversees BIBB. Comparison is useful as the policy sponsor — BIBB's positioning and budget are largely determined by BMBF's priorities.
• Institut für Bildungsforschung und Berufsbildung (IBB) / Austrian ibw: Austrian research institute focused on vocational education and training research and policy. Comparable national-level VET research and policy function to BIBB.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCftrnlcIGb-tf96R1Bhqr4A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bundesinstitut-fuer-berufsbildung-bibb

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federal Institute For Vocational Training