Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe

What Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe does

Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe (also known as Gewerbliche Schule) is a public vocational school (Berufsschule) operated by the state of Baden-Württemberg, located at Steinhäuserstraße 23, 76135 Karlsruhe, Germany. The institution delivers dual vocational education across multiple technical trades, including Berufsfachschule, Gewerbliche Berufsschule, Berufskolleg, Fachschule für Technik, Meisterschule, VABO (pre-qualification for migrants), and Ausbildungsvorbereitung. Its flagship capability is the Lernfabrik 4.0, a model production facility jointly operated with Heinrich-Hertz-Schule Karlsruhe that simulates real Industry 4.0 environments using networked MES, modular CNC processing, and complete process chains from development through assembly. Specialized modules include Hochvolttechnik (high-voltage training for hybrid and electric vehicles, Level 1 and Level 2 certification), additive manufacturing / 3D printing, and welding simulation.

The school's business model is non-commercial: it is publicly funded by Land Baden-Württemberg and the city of Karlsruhe, charges no tuition to students, and operates AZAV-certified (since May 2017 via TQ Cert) programs that qualify for federal employment-promotion funding. Revenue is not disclosed and is not commercially generated. The customer segments are (a) apprentice-track students in dual education, (b) working professionals pursuing technician or master craftsman qualifications, (c) migrants and refugees entering via VABO, and (d) prospective apprentices in pre-qualification. Distribution is through regional employer partnerships (notably a 10-year integration program with EnBW), referrals from the Agentur für Arbeit and social services, direct enrollment, and IHK Karlsruhe collaboration. The school maintains international visibility through Erasmus+ apprenticeships and inbound delegations from Norway, China, Brazil, and the AGBR, and hosts BMBF-funded trainer training under the Netzwerk Q 4.0 initiative.

Name

Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe

Legal name

Carl-Benz-Schule

Website

https://carl-benz-schule.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe is a public vocational school in Karlsruhe, Germany, operated by Land Baden-Württemberg, offering dual vocational training in technical trades, with a flagship Industry 4.0 learning factory (Lernfabrik 4.0) and adjacent programs for technicians, master craftsmen, and migrant integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Mechatronics Systems & Integration (EDAOAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

CNC Plasma/Laser Cutting & Automated Fabrication Training (EDAOADAH), Structural Steel Welding & Erection-Focused Training (EDAOADAC)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Technical training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Dual education system
• Industry 4.0 training

Headquarters

HQ city

Karlsruhe

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe is a public vocational school offering comprehensive technical vocational education programs under Germany's dual education system. Core offerings include Berufsfachschule (full-time foundational training), Berufsschule (part-time dual apprenticeship education), Fachschule für Technik (technician advancement), Meisterschule (master craftsman preparation), and VABO (pre-qualification for migrants and refugees). Specialized capabilities include the Lernfabrik 4.0 model production facility, high-voltage EV training, CNC machining, and 3D printing.

Product overview

Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe is a multi-faceted vocational education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of technical and commercial vocational training programs. The school operates on a platform-plus-modules architecture, with core programs including full-time Berufsfachschule, part-time Gewerbliche Berufsschule (dual system), Fachschule für Technik (technician college), Meisterschule (master craftsman school), and VABO integration program for migrants. Specialized add-on modules include the Lernfabrik 4.0 smart factory, Hochvolttechnik (high-voltage EV training), and Additive Fertigung (3D printing). The school serves as a regional competence center for Industry 4.0 in cooperation with Heinrich-Hertz-Schule.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berufsfachschule (Vocational School) Full-time vocational school programs providing foundational vocational education and training across multiple technical disciplines including metal technology. Prepares students for apprenticeships or further vocational education.
• Gewerbliche Berufsschule (Commercial Vocational School / Dual Education) Part-time vocational school for apprentices in commercial and technical trades, part of the German dual education system where students split time between company-based practical training and school-based theoretical education.
• Fachschule für Technik (Technical College) Advanced technical college offering part-time and full-time technician programs in machine technology, vehicle technology, and other technical specializations for career advancement. Awarded title: Staatlich geprüfter Techniker.
• Meisterschule Fahrzeugtechnik (Master Craftsman School Vehicle Technology) Evening school preparing automotive technicians for the KFZ master craftsman examination, including high-voltage certification for electric vehicle repair and Level 2 high-voltage qualification.
• VABO (Vorqualifizierungsjahr Arbeit/Beruf ohne Deutschkenntnisse) Pre-qualification year for refugees and migrants without German language skills, combining intensive German language acquisition with vocational orientation and preparation for apprenticeships.
• Meisterkurs (Master Craftsman Course) Master craftsman preparatory course program.
• Ausbildungsvorbereitung (AV) Bridge program between general school and vocational training or employment, helping students prepare for apprenticeship entrance requirements. Registration available weekly at the school.
• Lernfabrik 4.0 (Smart Factory 4.0 Learning Factory) Model production facility for Industry 4.0 training with modular manufacturing systems, integrated CNC processing, MES (Manufacturing Execution System) for networked production, and complete process chains from development through manufacturing, assembly, and material flow.
• Hochvolttechnik (High-Voltage Technology Training) Specialized training program and certification in high-voltage systems for hybrid and electric vehicles, including Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses for safe working with electrified vehicle systems.
• Additive Fertigung (Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing) 3D printing and additive manufacturing training capabilities including Ausbildertraining programs under the Q 4.0 Network initiative, covering CAD design, prototyping, and serial production.
• CNC-Programmierkurs (CNC Programming Course) Specialized CNC programming course for machining operations and computer numerical control technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students who graduated with GPA better than 2.0 received personal congratulations from principal (approximately 14 students out of 102 in Summer 2017)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Heinrich-Hertz-Schule KarlsruhecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Joint partnership for the Lernfabrik 4.0 Industry 4.0 training facility. CBS hosts the basic laboratory with modular manufacturing systems and CNC processing, while Heinrich-Hertz-Schule houses the demonstration center. Both schools operate together via MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to simulate networked production across multiple locations. The collaboration enables comprehensive Industry 4.0 education and serves as a regional competence center.
• EnBW (Energie Baden-Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201610-year integration program partnership where CBS provides Berufsfachschule Metall training with intensive German language instruction for refugees and migrants. After successful completion, graduates transition directly into apprenticeships at EnBW. The program has produced numerous skilled workers who now hold permanent positions at the energy company.
• IHK Karlsruhe (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Industry 4.0 education initiatives and dual training programs. IHK Unterauschuss Digitalisierung regularly visits the Lernfabrik 4.0 facilities. CBS participates in IHK events and publications promoting vocational education. The school is part of IHK's 'Wir bilden aus – Hier #KÖNNENLERNEN' campaign.
• Stadt Karlsruhe (City of Karlsruhe)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor funding partner providing equipment purchases including new GDW CNC lathes, modern furniture for common areas, and support for various school initiatives. The city also organizes the 'Kennenlerntag im Exotenhaus' program for refugee integration.
• Land Baden-Württemberg (State of Baden-Württemberg)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary public funder of the vocational school system. The state Ministry of Finance and Economics provided up to 4 million euros for establishing Lernfabriken 4.0 at eight vocational schools in the state, including the CBS facility.
• KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with KIT's Engineering Pedagogy program where university students visit CBS to observe classes and participate in teaching activities. KIT students gain practical insights into school operations while CBS benefits from academic collaboration.
• Go.for.Europe / Handwerk International Baden-WürttembergminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for organizing international internships for apprentices. Go.for.Europe facilitates 4-week overseas work placements in EU countries (Finland, Belgium, Ireland, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Croatia) with Erasmus+ funding support for vocational trainees.
• ZSL-Außenstelle Karlsruhe (Center for School Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacharbeitsgruppe Elektrik/Elektronik organizes at least four specialized training sessions per school year for teachers in Baden-Württemberg covering high-voltage technology, bus systems, and automotive electrical/electronic topics. CBS hosts these professional development events.
• Netzwerk Q 4.0 / Bildungswerk der Baden-Württembergischen WirtschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS hosts trainer training programs ('Additive Fertigung live erleben') as part of the BMBF-funded Netzwerk Q 4.0 project. Training is delivered to company training personnel from throughout Baden-Württemberg, Palatinate, and Saarland on digital transformation in vocational education.
• Heinrich-Hübsch-Schule (HHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on VABO program where CBS students participate in the 'Tag der Berufsinformation' career exploration event hosted by HHS, exposing students to construction trades including metalworking, masonry, tiling, and concrete construction.
• Bildungswerk der Baden-Württembergischen Wirtschaft / SüdwestmetallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in the Netzwerk Q 4.0 initiative supporting digital transformation in vocational training. Stefan Küpper, Managing Director of Bildungswerk and responsible for education policy at employers' association Südwestmetall, leads the project.
• FEX (Prävention und Radikalisierungsprävention)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Radikal.Verstehen' preventive education program for VABO class teachers. FEX provides workshops on societal opinion formation and ideological influences, helping educators support democratic values formation and tolerance among students.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Akademie: Vocational retraining and certification provider with strong automotive, technical, and safety training portfolios. Overlaps with CBS on high-voltage/EV, metalwork, and adult continuing-education offerings, with broader geographic reach.
• Eckert Schulen: One of Germany's largest private vocational education providers, offering technician, master craftsman, and industrial training programs across multiple campuses. Comparable in program mix (technician, meister, CNC) but operates at much larger national scale as a private, for-profit provider.
• IHK Bildungszentren: Chamber of Commerce training centers (including IHK Karlsruhe, a CBS partner) delivering dual-system apprenticeship theory, technician, and Industry 4.0 upskilling. Comparable in dual-education delivery and AZAV-funded continuing education.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: Major national vocational retraining and qualification provider, including technical and industrial programs funded through AZAV-eligible channels. Comparable as a broad technical-vocational training provider competing for the same technician and reskilling student base.
• Handwerkskammer Bildungszentren: Craft chamber training centers across Germany delivering master craftsman (Meister) and continuing vocational education in metalwork, automotive, and technical trades. Directly comparable in Meisterschule and metal-technology training delivery.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: Vocational training arm of TÜV Rheinland offering technical certifications, safety training, and Industry 4.0 upskilling programs for working professionals. Overlaps with CBS's high-voltage, mechatronics, and continuing-education offerings.

Direct peers

• Bildungswerk der Baden-Württembergischen Wirtschaft: Baden-Württemberg employers' association training organization and Netzwerk Q 4.0 lead partner; co-delivers additive manufacturing and digital transformation training with CBS. Closely aligned in mission, geography, and Industry 4.0 focus.
• Heinrich-Hertz-Schule Karlsruhe: Co-partner school operating the Lernfabrik 4.0 demonstration center; offers similar technical vocational programs in Karlsruhe and shares the Industry 4.0 training mission with CBS. Direct peer in scale, location, and program mix.
• Bundesfachschule für Fahrzeugtechnik: National specialized vocational school for automotive technology, including high-voltage and EV training. Direct comparable to CBS's Kfz-Meisterschule and Hochvolttechnik programs at a more specialized, automotive-only focus.

Regional players

• bbw Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft: Bavarian employers' association vocational training provider delivering dual-education, technician, and Industry 4.0 programs. Structurally similar to CBS's Netzwerk Q 4.0 role but serving the Bavarian rather than Baden-Württemberg region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/carlbenzschule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/carl-benz-schule-karlsruhe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Carl-Benz-Schule Karlsruhe