Berufsbildungswerk Bremen

What Berufsbildungswerk Bremen does

Berufsbildungswerk Bremen gGmbH, operating commercially as Nordic CAMPUS, is a non-profit vocational rehabilitation center founded in 1978 and owned by the Sozialverband Deutschland e.V. (SoVD). It delivers state-recognized vocational training and pre-vocational preparation programs to young people with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities, covering 30+ trades across IT, commerce, hospitality, crafts, design, and agriculture, with integrated on-campus vocational school instruction, residential living for up to 272 participants, and around-the-clock medical, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support. The business is fully funded by the German Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency) through its rehabilitation department, which refers eligible candidates for 'Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben' (participation in working life), funds multi-year training contracts, and covers boarding costs; participants do not pay directly. Approximately 295 staff support ~600 current apprentices, and outcomes — a 90%+ graduation rate, ~70% primary-labor-market placement rate, and 6,000+ graduates since founding — are central to its value proposition.

The technology stack combines a standard open-source e-learning platform (ILIAS), interactive classroom hardware (ActivPanels), and a digital-assistance research program (BASDA, developed with the BIBA research institute at the University of Bremen) that converts complex work steps into guided mobile workflows for impaired learners; a Training 4.0 initiative layers Industry 4.0 concepts into the curriculum. Distribution is non-commercial: participants are referred through the public rehabilitation system and the organization markets itself through open days, info events, job fairs, press coverage, and inclusion-themed sports partnerships with Werder Bremen, Fischtown Pinguins, and Grün-Gold-Club Bremen. The two operating sites — Bremen (Universitätsallee 20) and Bremerhaven (Kleiner Westring 5) — anchor a regional footprint in northern Germany, with no evidence of multi-state expansion, external funding rounds, or commercial revenue diversification.

Name

Berufsbildungswerk Bremen

Legal name

Berufsbildungswerk Bremen gGmbH

Website

https://bbw-bremen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Berufsbildungswerk Bremen (Nordic CAMPUS) is a non-profit vocational training and rehabilitation center, founded 1978 and owned by SoVD, that delivers state-recognized training in 30+ trades to roughly 600 young people with disabilities across Bremen and Bremerhaven, funded entirely by the German Employment Agency.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Post-Secondary Transition Planning & Coordination (EDAKANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Disability vocational training
• Supported employment programs
• Inclusive vocational education
• Residential care training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational Rehabilitation Funding: Funded by the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) which handles registration, pays for training programs, and covers boarding/lodging costs for participants who need to live on campus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Berufsbildungswerk Bremen gGmbH (operating as Nordic CAMPUS) delivers vocational training and rehabilitation services for young people with physical, psychological, or learning disabilities. Programs span pre-vocational preparation (Arbeitserprobung, Eignungsabklärung, Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme), recognized initial vocational training (Erst-Ausbildung) across 30+ trades, an integrated vocational school (Berufsschule), on-campus residential living for 272 participants, and post-graduation integration support for up to 12 months.

Product overview

Nordic CAMPUS (Berufsbildungswerk Bremen gGmbH) is a vocational training center providing comprehensive rehabilitation and education services for young people with disabilities. The organization operates a core vocational training program offering over 30 recognized professions, complemented by pre-vocational preparation programs including work testing and aptitude assessment. Supporting infrastructure includes an on-site vocational school (Berufsschule) with modern digital learning technology (ActivPanels), residential facilities housing 272 students, healthcare and psychological support services, and an integration team achieving approximately 70% job placement rates. Additional offerings include leisure activities, a dining hall (Kombüse), and the ILIAS learning management system. The organization also runs Training 4.0 initiatives and Project BASDA focusing on digital assistance systems for people with disabilities. Founded in 1978, the organization rebranded to Nordic CAMPUS in 2022 and maintains two locations in Bremen and Bremerhaven.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Training (Berufsausbildung) Recognized initial vocational training (Erst-Ausbildung) for young people with disabilities, offering more than 30 state-recognized professions in fields including IT, commerce, hospitality, crafts, and agriculture. Delivered as a multi-year program combining practical workshop training with on-site theoretical instruction at the Berufsschule.
• Pre-Vocational Preparation (Berufsvorbereitung) Programs helping young people with disabilities explore career options and assess suitability for vocational training, including 4-week work testing (Arbeitserprobung), 12-week aptitude assessment (Eignungsabklärung), and the longer Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme vocational preparation course. Delivered at both the Bremen and Bremerhaven campuses.
• Vocational School (Berufsschule) State-recognized vocational school integrated on the Nordic CAMPUS, providing the theoretical component of vocational training. Uses modern instructional technology including ActivPanels interactive touchscreens and small-class instruction.
• Residential Living (Wohnen & Leben) On-campus residential accommodation for 272 youth and young adults, offering single apartments, communal living floors, and 24/7 support from educational staff. Provided as part of funded vocational rehabilitation for participants who need to live on campus.
• Healthcare Support Services Comprehensive on-campus medical care for participants, including a physician team, nursing staff, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy services available around the clock. Delivered as part of the holistic rehabilitation model.
• Psychological Support Services Psychological counseling services for participants delivered by a team of ten psychologists, covering orientation, crisis support, stabilization, and specialized autism spectrum support.
• Integration Support (Integration) Post-graduation job placement and career integration service supporting graduates for up to 12 months after training completion, achieving approximately 70% employment rate in the primary labor market. Coordinates with regional employer partners including BLG Logistics, bremenports, and Deutsche See.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ graduation rate among apprentices
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• BIBA – Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic cooperation with BIBA for the BASDA project, developing digital assistance systems and transferring Industry 4.0 concepts into vocational training. BIBA is a leading research institute for production and logistics at the University of Bremen.
• Fischtown PinguinsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSports partnership through the 'Inklusion bricht das Eis' (Inclusion Breaks the Ice) initiative. Includes inclusive game days with the DEL ice hockey team, promoting social inclusion through sports.
• Werder BremenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports partnership supporting inclusion through football and other sporting activities.
• Grün-Gold-Club Bremen e.V.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership 'Inklusion aufs Parkett' (Inclusion on the Floor) through dance sports, promoting inclusion and social participation.
• BLG LogisticsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics company partnership providing internships and employment opportunities for graduates.
• bremenportsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort operator partnership providing training and employment opportunities in logistics and maritime sectors.
• Hochschule BremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for academic cooperation and knowledge transfer.
• Universität BremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for research cooperation and academic programs.
• Deutsche See GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeafood company partnership providing training and employment opportunities in food industry trades.
• Autismus BremenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized partnership for autism support services, including cooperation with the Autismus-Therapiezentrum (Autism Therapy Center) for specialized care of participants on the autism spectrum.
• Fahrschule Rudi MeyerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDriving school partnership offering subsidized driving instruction with 3-8% discounts for apprentices, including support for those with learning difficulties and accessible vehicles for physically disabled students.
• Sozialverband Deutschland e.V. (SoVD)flagshipOthersParent organization of Berufsbildungswerk Bremen gGmbH. SoVD is a major social welfare association based in Berlin.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private social welfare funding organization, financing inclusive employment and vocational rehabilitation initiatives. A funding/ecosystem peer rather than direct operator, but directly relevant to Nordic CAMPUS's policy and funding ecosystem.

Direct peers

• CJD BBW (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands): CJD operates multiple Berufsbildungswerke and Jugenddorf vocational campuses for disadvantaged youth including those with disabilities. Closely comparable on target population, funding model, and integrated housing-plus-training structure.
• SRH Berufsbildungswerk Neckargemünd: One of Germany's largest BBWs, operated within the SRH education group. Comparable in scope (30+ trades, residential campus, full integration support) and in its public funding model.
• BBW Südhessen (Berufsbildungswerk Südhessen): Regional BBW providing vocational training for young people with disabilities in the Rhine-Main area. Directly comparable service portfolio including pre-vocational assessment, training across multiple trades, and residential care.
• Berufsbildungswerk München: Large southern-German BBW offering vocational preparation, training, and residential services for youth with disabilities. Directly comparable mission and operating model in a different Bundesland.
• Berufsbildungswerk St. Franziskus: Catholic-affiliated BBW providing vocational training and residential care for young people with disabilities. Comparable scale and integrated service model under similar public funding.
• Berufsbildungswerk Berlin: A sister Berufsbildungswerk under the German BBW network, providing vocational training and rehabilitation for young people with disabilities. Most direct analog as a multi-trade, campus-based, publicly funded BBW.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Werkstätten / vocational programs: Caritas provides an extensive network of Werkstätten for disabled people and integration services. Comparable on social-assistance vocational rehabilitation and public funding, though much larger in aggregate footprint.
• Diakonie Werkstätten / Diakonie vocational programs: Diakonie operates a broad portfolio of sheltered workshops (WfbM), vocational preparation, and supported employment programs across Germany. Overlaps significantly with Nordic CAMPUS on social assistance for disability-to-employment transitions.

Regional players

• Helios Bildungswerk (Helios Kliniken vocational programs): Hospital-affiliated vocational programs focused on healthcare trades for disadvantaged youth. Partial overlap on trade breadth and supported-employment model, though concentrated in healthcare occupations rather than general industrial trades.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxr_mTjU2FD-K0esanaUKWg
• Facebookfacebook.com/bbwbremen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berufsbildungswerk-bremen-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/nordic_campus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Berufsbildungswerk Bremen