Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça

What Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça does

Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça (EPBJC) is a Portuguese non-profit vocational education institution founded in 1989 through a protocol-programa between the CGTP-IN trade union confederation and the Portuguese Ministry of Education. Operating as Associação para o Ensino Bento de Jesus Caraça (AEBJC), the school delivers secondary-level vocational training to roughly 15-18 year-olds who have completed the 9th year, across five campus locations spanning mainland Portugal: Lisboa, Barreiro, Seixal, Porto, and Beja. Its portfolio comprises 13 Professional Courses (Cursos Profissionais) conferring dual certification (Level 4 QNQ qualification plus secondary diploma) and 2 CEF Type 3 courses for early leavers, spanning IT, graphic design, construction, sports, social services, commerce, hospitality, and community animation.

EPBJC operates on a publicly funded, tuition-free model, with revenue sourced primarily through the EU PESSOAS 2030 (FSE+) program and the foundational Ministry of Education protocol. The disclosed 2025/2026 Norte e Alentejo program operation carries a total eligible cost of €2,113,121.66 with 85% EU co-financing. Technology infrastructure is minimal and outsourced: the school uses the third-party eschoolingserver.com platform for student, teacher, and parent portals covering enrollment, attendance, grading, and scheduling, with no proprietary software development. The institution supplements its core offering with Erasmus+ international mobility programs (Spain, France, Hungary), specialized Orientation and Accompaniment Services (SOA) for psychological and career guidance, and the EQAVET Quality Seal (held since 2020, revalidated May 2026).

EPBJC differentiates itself through 30+ years of operating history, CGTP-IN institutional backing, broad geographic coverage via five campuses, the EQAVET European quality certification, and reported outcome metrics including a 97% employer satisfaction rate, ~40% graduate progression to higher education, and program targets of 82% graduation and 70% employment/further-study rates within six months of completion. Recruitment is community-driven through the website, social media, educational fairs, and the CGTP-IN trade union network; the school charges no tuition and does not engage in paid marketing.

Name

Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça

Legal name

Associação para o Ensino Bento de Jesus Caraça (AEBJC)

Website

https://epbjc.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça (EPBJC) is a Portuguese non-profit vocational school founded in 1989, delivering tuition-free Level 4 professional courses and CEF programs to post-9th-year students across five campuses in Lisboa, Barreiro, Seixal, Porto, and Beja, funded primarily through the EU PESSOAS 2030 program and the Ministry of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Professional education
• Secondary education
• Dual certification courses
• Work-based learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisboa

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Educational Funding (PESSOAS 2030): EPBJC is a non-profit institution financed primarily through European Union structural funds, specifically the PESSOAS 2030 (FSE+) program. Funding is allocated per student for the operation of professional courses (Cursos Profissionais). The total eligible cost for the 2025/2026 Norte e Alentejo program is €2,113,121.66 with EU co-financing of €1,796,153.41 (85% co-financing rate). Course codes include PESSOAS-FSE+-03095700.
2. Ministry of Education Protocol: The school was established through a protocol-programa between the Ministry of Education and the CGTP-IN (Confederation of Portuguese Workers). Ongoing public funding is secured through this foundational agreement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EPBJC delivers tuition-free secondary-level vocational education through three-year Professional Courses (Cursos Profissionais) and one-year CEF Type 3 courses, awarding dual certification (secondary school diploma plus Level 4 QNQ professional qualification). Programs integrate sociocultural, scientific, and technical training with mandatory on-the-job training (FCT) of around 600 hours, plus international mobility through Erasmus+.

Product overview

Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça is a non-profit vocational school established in 1989 through a protocol between CGTP-IN and the Portuguese Ministry of Education, offering a unified portfolio of educational products centered around vocational training. The core offering consists of 13 Professional Courses (Cursos Profissionais) providing double certification at Level 4 of the National Qualifications Framework (QNQ), complemented by 2 Courses of Education and Training for Youth (CEF) at Type 3 level. All programs integrate sociocultural, scientific, technical and practical training components, with mandatory Work Training Context (FCT) periods. The institution also provides specialized Orientation and Accompaniment Services (SOA) with psychological support and career guidance, and operates an international dimension through Erasmus+ mobility programs. The school operates across five delegations in Portugal (Barreiro, Beja, Lisboa, Porto, Seixal) and is certified with the EQAVET Quality Seal since 2020.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cursos Profissionais (Professional Courses) Three-year secondary-level vocational programs for students who have completed the 9th grade, providing dual certification (Level 4 QNQ professional qualification plus secondary school diploma) and combining classroom learning with around 600 hours of mandatory on-the-job training (FCT). Graduates can enter the labor market directly or progress to higher education.
• Técnico de Obra (Obras Inteligentes e Tecnologia da Construção) Professional course training students to plan and control construction work execution, equipment installation, and site organization per project specifications, with content covering BIM, sustainability, and circular economy.
• Técnico de Desporto (Desporto, Saúde e Performance) Professional course training students in planning, organization, and delivery of sports training for individual or collective modalities and in promoting physical activities in leisure contexts.
• Técnico de Design de Comunicação Gráfica Professional course training students to create visual communication solutions through capturing, designing, laying out, and producing 2D and 3D graphic objects for print or screen, preparing final artwork for production.
• Técnico de Animação e Mediação Comunitária (Animação Sociocultural) Professional course promoting sociocultural inclusion and community development through cultural, educational, social, recreational, and leisure animation activities, including intercultural mediation projects.
• Técnico de Apoio Psicossocial (Apoio à Intervenção Social) Professional course promoting psychosocial development of groups and communities across social care, health, and social intervention domains.
• Técnico de Ação Educativa (Apoio à Infância) Professional course training students to supervise, accompany, and ensure feeding and hygiene of children and youth, supporting education professionals in planning and executing pedagogical and leisure activities.
• Técnico de Comunicação, Marketing, Relações Públicas e Publicidade (Comunicação e Marketing Digital) Professional course training students to plan and develop marketing and communication strategies through public relations, advertising, and physical and digital channels.
• Técnico de Artes e Produções Gráficas Professional course focused on creating visual communication using design, graphic arts, composition, printing, and mounting techniques, using both electronic and manual means.
• Técnico de Sistemas de Computação e Redes (Gestão de Equipamentos Informáticos) Professional course training students to install, configure, and maintain tools, equipment, computer systems, and networks across platforms and operating systems to ensure optimal operation.
• Técnico de Desenvolvimento de Software (Gestão e Programação de Sistemas Informáticos) Professional course training students to ensure optimization of computer equipment and applications through systems analysis, installation and maintenance, and database management.
• Técnico de Comércio (Gestão Empresarial, Marketing e Publicidade) Professional course training students to plan, organize, and sell products and/or services through physical or digital channels, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Técnico de Informática de Gestão (Gestão e Programação) Professional course training students to support coordination of management departments and to develop, install, and maintain computer applications across any functional area of an organization.
• Técnico de Alojamento Hoteleiro (Turismo) Professional course training students to plan and execute reception and floor-service activities in hotel units, ensuring quality service and customer satisfaction through required technical operations. The hotel management course totals 3,181 hours.
• Operador de Informática – Tipo 3 (CEF) Education and Training course for Youth (CEF) equivalent to the 9th grade, training students as IT Operators to install and configure office software, local networks, Internet and other applications, and perform microcomputer, peripheral, and local network maintenance. Total 1,200 hours.
• Cuidador de Crianças e Jovens – Tipo 3 (CEF) Education and Training course for Youth (CEF) equivalent to the 9th grade, training students to care for children and youth, supervise and guide behaviors, manage hygiene/clothing/feeding, and accompany daily and leisure activities. Total 1,268 hours.
• Erasmus+ Mobility Program International mobility program allowing vocational students to enrich their professional and personal experience abroad by completing FCT internships, group mobilities, and staff job shadowing in countries including Spain, France, and Hungary.
• Serviços de Orientação e Acompanhamento (SOA) Confidential psychological support and orientation service accompanying students throughout their EPBJC journey, helping identify interests and aptitudes, make educational and career choices, and overcome learning difficulties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% employer satisfaction rate with EPBJC diploma holders
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CGTP-IN (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses – Intersindical Nacional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGTP-IN is the founding promoter of EPBJC. The school was established in 1989/1990 through a protocol-programa between CGTP-IN and the Ministry of Education. CGTP-IN's humanist values of equality, justice, solidarity, and democratic education directly inform EPBJC's educational project and mission. The school operates as a non-profit institution under this partnership, promoting inclusive, quality vocational education grounded in the principles of the Portuguese Constitution.
• Erasmus+ Program (EU / National Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ is the EU's flagship education and training mobility program through which EPBJC enables students to complete on-the-job training (FCT) abroad. Students have conducted mobility placements in France (Roubaix, Bergerac), Spain (Barcelona), and Hungary. The program also includes staff job shadowing and group mobilities. EPBJC has run multiple Erasmus+ projects since 2022, including 'Construindo pontes para o futuro' which benefited 28 students.
• Associação Mais CidadaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPBJC's Lisbon delegation contributed to the international Erasmus+ project 'Explore More', led by Associação Mais Citizenship, which created an online vocational guidance platform for students completing basic or secondary education. The association also invited EPBJC to participate in the #RepresentationMatters Erasmus+ exchange in Italy.
• ANQEP (Agência Nacional para a Qualificação e o Ensino Profissional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANQEP is the national agency responsible for quality assurance in Portuguese vocational education and training. EPBJC's Quality Assurance System is certified by ANQEP under the EQAVET framework. ANQEP conducts regular audits of EPBJC's quality system, with revalidation occurring in May 2026.
• Fekete Sereg Ifjúsági Egyesulet (Hungary)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2019, two EPBJC students from the Beja delegation completed their FCT internship at this Hungarian association, which focuses on communication and marketing activities. This was part of an Erasmus+ European Voluntary Service placement.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• INETE: INETE is a Lisbon-based private professional school offering secondary-level professional courses across multiple vocational areas, comparable to EPBJC in regulatory model (Cursos Profissionais), target segment (post-9th grade youth), and funding mix.
• Restart Institute: Restart is a Lisbon private vocational school focused on software development, web development and tech — directly comparable to EPBJC's software development and IT systems courses and similar student segment.
• ETIC: ETIC is a Lisbon-based private vocational school offering professional courses across creative industries, technology and communications — directly comparable to EPBJC's Lisbon delegation offering in design, software development, marketing and audiovisual production.
• Escola Profissional do Alentejo: Escola Profissional do Alentejo is a Cursos Profissionais provider serving the same Alentejo region where EPBJC's Beja delegation operates; comparable in target student segment, dual-certification curriculum, and public-funding model.
• Escola Profissional de Setúbal: Escola Profissional de Setúbal is a Cursos Profissionais provider in the Setúbal district where EPBJC also operates (Barreiro, Seixal); directly comparable in regulatory framework, target student segment, and dual-certification vocational offering.
• Cenatex: Cenatex is a Portuguese vocational school historically focused on textile and related industry training, comparable to EPBJC as a similarly-sized Cursos Profissionais provider operating under Portuguese VET regulation with EQAVET-relevant quality systems.

Broad incumbents

• IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional): IEFP is the Portuguese public employment and vocational training institute, the largest national provider of professional courses and a structural competitor/incumbent in the same space EPBJC operates, offering publicly funded training to overlapping youth segments.

Others

• ANQEP (Agência Nacional para a Qualificação e o Ensino Profissional): ANQEP is the national agency that certifies and audits Portuguese VET schools under the EQAVET framework. As EPBJC's regulator and quality assurer, ANQEP is an enabling/ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but is the institutional counterpart shaping EPBJC's operating environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EPBJC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/escola-profissional-bento-de-jesus-cara%C3%A7a
• Instagraminstagram.com/epbjc_escolaprofissional

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Escola Profissional Bento de Jesus Caraça