Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund

What Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund does

Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund is a public vocational school (Berufskolleg) operated by the City of Dortmund in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 1910 and delivered across multiple city-center sites. It operates under the German dual education system, combining classroom instruction with on-the-job apprenticeships in partner companies, and serves approximately 1,200 students. Its program portfolio spans full-time vocational tracks (including Fachhochschulreife and Abitur pathways) and part-time dual apprenticeships in media design, photography, printing technology, distilling/beverage technology, construction trades, and related craft occupations.

The school maintains specialized training infrastructure aligned to industry-grade equipment, including photographic studios and printing facilities, supported by direct partnerships with print and imaging technology vendors such as Heidelberg and Fujifilm. International mobility is provided through Erasmus+ partnerships with vocational counterparts in France, Ireland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, and a formal Talentscouting cooperation with TU Dortmund channels high-performing apprentices into higher education. The school has received external validation including the 2020 European Printing School of the Year recognition and the 2025 German Championship of Crafts in Photography.

As a municipal institution, Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg does not generate commercial revenue; its operating model is funded through the City of Dortmund's education budget within the NRW Berufskolleg framework. Pricing is therefore not applicable in a commercial sense — student tuition is effectively zero in the public dual system, and the institution's economic relationship is with municipal and state education authorities rather than with paying customers. Credentialed outputs (state-recognized vocational qualifications, Kammer-certified trade credentials) are the school's primary "product," and placement of graduates into regional craft and trade employers functions as the principal distribution channel.

Name

Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund

Legal name

Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg der Stadt Dortmund

Website

https://fhbk.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund is a public vocational school in Dortmund, Germany, operated by the City of Dortmund since 1910. It serves approximately 1,200 students through dual education programs in media, photography, printing, distilling, and construction trades, combining classroom instruction with industry apprenticeships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement (EDAMAKAB), Experiential Learning & Internships/Co-ops (EDALABAG)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Dual training system
• Apprenticeship programs
• Technical schooling
• Crafts training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg delivers vocational education and training through Germany's dual system, combining block-based theoretical instruction at the school with practical training in partner companies. Programs cover media design (Mediengestalter Digital und Print), printing technology (Medientechnologen Druck/Siebdruck), photography (Fotografen), brewing (Brauer und Mälzer), distilling (Brenner/Destillateure), construction trades, scaffolding, and various craftsmanship. Full-time school pathways lead to vocational qualifications and the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification).

Product overview

Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund is a vocational school (Berufskolleg) offering comprehensive educational programs. It operates a dual system of vocational training (Ausbildungsberufe) in partnership with local businesses, combined with full-time school programs (vollzeitschulische Bildungsgänge). The school provides training across diverse vocational fields including media design (Mediengestalter Digital und Print), printing technology (Medientechnologen Druck), photography (Fotografen), distilling (Destillateure), construction trades, and various other crafts. The institution also offers pre-vocational preparation programs, international support classes, and Erasmus+ mobility programs. The school maintains practical facilities including a printing workshop and photography studio to support hands-on training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Duale Ausbildungsberufe (Dual Vocational Training Programs) Dual vocational education programs covering recognised apprenticeship trades including Brauer und Mälzer (Brewers and Maltsters), Brenner and Destillateure (Distillers), Fotografen (Photographers), Mediengestalter Digital und Print (Digital and Print Media Designers), Medientechnologen Druck/Siebdruck/Druckverarbeitung (Print/Screen Print/Print Finishing Technologists), Raumausstatter (Interior Decorators), Ausbaufacharbeiter (Interior Construction Workers), Bauten- und Objektbeschichter, Chemielaboranten (Chemical Lab Assistants), Dachdecker (Roofers), Fahrzeuglackierer (Vehicle Painters), Fliesen-/Platten-/Mosaikleger, Gebäudereiniger (Building Cleaners), Gerüstbauer (Scaffolders), Glaser (Glaziers), Hochbaufacharbeiter, Maler und Lackierer (Painters), Maurer (Masons), Polster- und Dekorationsnäher, Schilder- und Lichtreklamehersteller (Sign and Illuminated Advertising Makers), Tischler (Carpenters), Vermessungstechniker (Surveying Technicians), and Zimmerer (Carpenters). Delivered via block instruction (3 blocks of 4-5 weeks per training year) at the school combined with practical training at partner companies.
• Vollzeitschulische Bildungsgänge (Full-time School Programs) Full-time educational programs providing vocational qualifications and school-leaving certificates including Fachhochschulreife (FHR). Includes Berufliche Qualifikationen und Erweiterter Erster Schulabschluss, Berufliche Qualifikationen und Mittlerer Schulabschluss (Fachoberschulreife), Ausbildungsvorbereitung und Erster Schulabschluss tracks across Design (Color Technology and Room Design), Media Technology, and Construction/Wood Technology Berufsfelder.
• Berufliche Qualifikation und Fachhochschulreife (Two-year Higher Vocational School) Two-year advanced vocational school programs (Zweijährige Höhere Berufsfachschule) in Bau- und Holztechnik (Construction and Wood Technology) and Gestaltung (Design) leading to the schulischer Teil der Fachhochschulreife (school-based part of the Fachhochschulreife).
• Fachoberschule Gestaltung (Technical Upper Secondary School - Design) Fachoberschule program in the Design specialisation providing vocational qualification and the full Fachhochschulreife.
• Assistentenausbildung (Bautechnischer Assistent / Gestaltungstechnischer Assistent) Assistant training programs for Bautechnische Assistenten (Construction Technicians) and Gestaltungstechnische Assistenten (Design Technicians), leading to professional qualification and Fachhochschulreife.
• Ausbildungsvorbereitung (Vocational Preparation) Pre-vocational training programs (Ausbildungsvorbereitung) for youth seeking to obtain first school-leaving certificates (Erster Schulabschluss) and career orientation across Design, Construction/Wood Technology, and Alphabetisierung tracks.
• Internationale Förderklassen (International Support Classes) and Alphabetisierungsklassen International support classes (Internationale Förderklassen) and Alphabetisierungsklassen for non-German-speaking youth focusing on language acquisition, cultural knowledge, and vocational orientation, delivered in cooperation with the Dienstleistungszentrum Bildung Dortmund.
• Erasmus+ Mobilitätsprogramme (Erasmus+ Mobility Programs) International exchange and mobility programs under the Erasmus+ European education initiative, including student internships, teacher Jobshadowing, and group mobility with partner schools in France (Lycée de l'Atlantique Royan), Ireland (TU Dublin), Denmark (Next Uddanelse Copenhagen), and the Netherlands (Jugendbildungszentrum Firda Drachten; Signnovation Dinxperlo; Probo).

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• Fachhochschule Dortmund (FH Dortmund)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Talentscouting cooperation with FH Dortmund since 2018, formalized in a cooperation agreement signed June 29, 2026. The program supports talented youth in making career decisions and provides pathway to higher education. FH Dortmund talent scouts identify promising students at FHBK.
• TU DublinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ Jobshadowing partnership with TU Dublin for construction department teachers. Includes exchange on apprenticeship systems, sustainable building practices, and architectural insights. Visit to Grangegorman Campus designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey.
• Lycée de l'Atlantique RoyanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing Erasmus+ exchange program with Lycée de l'Atlantique in Royan, France for surveying technicians. Includes mutual student internships and teacher exchanges between the French and German vocational education systems.
• Next Uddanelse Rebslagervej CopenhagenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ group mobility partnership with Danish vocational school in Copenhagen for photography students. Includes portrait workshop project 'Profession – Light – Emotion' and studio visits.
• Jugendbildungszentrum Firda DrachtenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner in Netherlands for sign making and light advertising students. Dutch vocational training is primarily school-based, providing contrast to German dual system.
• HEIDELBERGER Druckmaschinen AGmajorTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for media technology printing students. Company visits and industry insights for print technology education. Heidelberg is a world market leader in printing press manufacturing.
• Bundesverband der Deutschen Spirituosen-Industrie und -Importeure e. V.majorTechnology or IntegrationFederal association of German spirits industry, serves as cooperation partner for distilling program providing industry connections and professional development opportunities.
• Vereinigung der Destillateurmeister e.V.majorTechnology or IntegrationAssociation of Master Distillers, cooperation partner supporting professional training and industry standards in distilling education.
• Lippe Berufskolleg LünenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Berufe rund ums Rad' project combining vocational training with bicycle culture and sustainability education.
• Leopold-Hoesch-Berufskolleg DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Berufe rund ums Rad' project and other educational initiatives.
• Dienstleistungszentrum Bildung DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for international promotion classes (Alphabetisierungsklassen) supporting language acquisition and integration.
• EU-Geschäftsstelle Bezirksregierung ArnsbergmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU business office supporting Erasmus+ programs and European educational initiatives in the Arnsberg district.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Handwerkskammer Dortmund: Regional Chamber of Crafts that oversees apprenticeship registration, master-craftsman examinations, and continuing education for the crafts trades FHBK teaches. It is the regulatory counterpart rather than a competitor, but is the institutional body that channels apprentices to FHBK's programs.

Broad incumbents

• FOM Hochschule: Large private German university specializing in dual-study and work-integrated bachelor's programs for working professionals. Comparable in operating philosophy (work-based learning) and competes with FHBK's higher-education pathway offerings via FH Dortmund.
• BBQ Berufliche Bildung GmbH: One of Germany's largest private vocational education and training providers, offering apprenticeship support, retraining, and vocational preparation across multiple trades. Not a public Berufskolleg, but competes for the same population of school-leavers and apprenticeship-seeking youth in NRW.
• WBS TRAINING AG: Major German private vocational training and retraining provider. Overlaps with FHBK in serving adult learners and career-changers seeking vocational qualifications, particularly in technical and commercial fields.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with a strong vocational and applied-bachelor portfolio. Competes indirectly with FHBK's Fachoberschule and Berufsabschluss-plus-Fachhochschulreife tracks for the same population of NRW school-leavers choosing between vocational and higher-education pathways.

Direct peers

• Leopold-Hoesch-Berufskolleg Dortmund: Another large public Berufskolleg in Dortmund operating the same German dual-system vocational model. FHBK's own documents name this school as a cooperation partner in cross-school projects such as 'Berufe rund ums Rad,' indicating they compete for the same regional student and apprenticeship pool.
• Carl-Severing-Berufskolleg Bielefeld: One of the largest Berufskollegs in NRW with similar multi-trade coverage (construction, media, design, technical fields) and dual-system apprenticeship training. It is the closest comparable in scale and program breadth within the NRW public vocational system.
• Berufskolleg Köln-Mülheim: Major NRW Berufskolleg with overlapping programs in design, media technology, and construction trades. Comparable in operating model (dual system plus full-time vocational tracks) and in serving a mixed apprentice/secondary-school-leaver population.
• Max-Born-Berufskolleg: NRW Berufskolleg offering technical and vocational tracks under the same dual-system governance as FHBK. Comparable in student profile, program structure (block instruction, dual apprenticeship support), and Erasmus+ mobility orientation.
• Robert-Bosch-Berufskolleg Hagen: NRW Berufskolleg offering a comparable breadth of technical, construction, and media vocational tracks under the dual system. Comparable in governance (public, municipally funded) and target student profile (apprentices and full-time vocational learners).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/fhbkdo

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 Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg Dortmund