GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile
GARAC is a French non-profit vocational school founded in 1948 delivering automotive-focused education from CAP to Engineer degree across two campuses in Argenteuil and Guyancourt. It serves 1,514 students and apprentices through partnerships with 1,500 companies, maintaining 97% exam pass and 98% employment integration rates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1948
- HeadquartersArgenteuil, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile does
GARAC (Groupement d'Apprentissage de la Réparation Automobile et du Cycle) is a French non-profit vocational school founded in 1948 by automotive and motorcycle trade federations, operating as the national reference school for the automobile profession. The institution is organized under French association loi 1901 status and operates as a private technical school under contract with the French State, with a CFA (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis) under convention with the Île-de-France Region. GARAC delivers automotive-focused education spanning more than 26 programs from CAP/BAC PRO (level 4) through Engineer degree (level 7, in partnership with CNAM), covering bodywork repair, vehicle construction and maintenance, commercial operations, after-sales service management, and mechatronics engineering. It serves 1,514 students, apprentices, and trainees through 104 professors and trainers across two campuses in Argenteuil (main 17,000 m² facility) and Guyancourt.
The core product portfolio includes vocational diplomas (BAC PRO in bodywork, vehicle maintenance, construction, and sales), higher technician certificates (BTS in vehicle maintenance, commercial management, and customer relations), professional and general licenses, an engineering degree in mechatronics delivered jointly with CNAM, and specialized CQP/TFP professional qualifications. Specialized technical infrastructure includes PPG MOONWALK paint systems, a 3D painting simulator, waterjet cutting machines for composites, Catia V CAD software, 3D geometry and brake test benches, and a fleet of more than 100 pedagogical vehicles covering ICE, hybrid, electric, motorcycle, and commercial truck platforms. Programs are delivered under school status, apprenticeship, or professionalization contract formats, with Erasmus+ accreditation supporting international mobility.
Revenue is generated through state educational contracts, apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) contributions from automotive employers, OPCO Mobilités-funded continuing education through the GARAC Formation sub-brand, and student tuition/management fees. The school maintains a network of 1,500 partner companies that provide apprenticeships, internships, and employment pipelines, yielding a 97% examination pass rate and 98% professional integration rate at six months. Customer segments span young students (CAP to BAC PRO), higher education students (BTS to Engineer), industry professionals seeking continuing education, and automotive enterprises recruiting through the school's Relations Ecole-Entreprises service.
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile
- Legal name
- GARAC - Groupement d'Apprentissage de la Réparation Automobile et du Cycle
- Website
- https://garac.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1948
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- GARAC is a French non-profit vocational school founded in 1948 delivering automotive-focused education from CAP to Engineer degree across two campuses in Argenteuil and Guyancourt. It serves 1,514 students and apprentices through partnerships with 1,500 companies, maintaining 97% exam pass and 98% employment integration rates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Education and Training
- NAICS
- Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive (EDABALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)
Keywords
Where GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Argenteuil
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Public Funding: State-funded institution operating as a private high school under contract with the State, receiving government subsidies for educational operations
- Apprenticeship Tax (Taxe d'apprentissage): Companies contribute a percentage of their payroll to fund vocational training at institutions like GARAC
- Continuing Education: GARAC Formation catalog for companies in the Automobile Services Collective Agreement, with OPCO Mobilités financing
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Management fees for pre-registration |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GARAC is a national vocational school delivering automotive profession education from CAP/BAC PRO level through engineering degree (BAC+5), with 26+ training programs covering vehicle maintenance, bodywork repair, vehicle construction, commercial management, and mechatronics engineering. Programs are delivered via school-based, apprenticeship, or professionalization contract formats, plus a continuing education arm (GARAC Formation) serving companies under the automobile collective agreement. Students train on 100+ pedagogical vehicles and industry-standard equipment at 17,000 m² of workshop facilities.
Product overview
GARAC is a national vocational school (Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile et de la Mobilité) offering a unified educational platform spanning over 26 formations from BAC Pro (level 4) to Ingénieur (level 7). The core portfolio includes vocational diplomas (BAC PRO) in automotive bodywork, vehicle construction, maintenance, and sales; higher technician certificates (BTS) in vehicle maintenance, commercial management, and customer relations; professional licenses (Licence Pro OMSA) and general licenses (Licence SPI); and engineering degrees in mechatronics via CNAM partnership. Specialized qualifications (CQP/TFP) address paintless dent repair, bodywork painting, battery maintenance, and after-sales services. A dedicated BYD partnership class (launching 2026) focuses on electric mobility. The continuing education arm (GARAC Formation) serves companies under the automobile collective agreement. Programs are delivered through school-based, apprenticeship, or professionalization contract formats across two campuses in Argenteuil and Guyancourt.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GARAC Formation: The school's own continuing education structure that offers training catalogs for vehicle maintenance professionals.
Products and services
- BAC PRO Carrossier peintre automobile Three-year vocational diploma (level 4) training bodywork repairers and painters, covering work on steel, aluminum, plastics, composites, repair techniques, color matching, paint application, and quality processes. Available under school status or apprenticeship for young students.
- BAC PRO Construction et Aménagement des véhicules
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% examination success rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- BYDflagshipStrategic partnership with world's leading new energy vehicle manufacturer to create a dedicated BYD class from September 2026. BYD will provide two pedagogical vehicles (100% electric and Super Hybrid model), diagnostic tools, technical documentation, and teacher training. Aims to facilitate near-100% employment rate in BYD distributor network upon graduation.
- MOBILIANScoreFounding professional organization representing automotive services sector, whose FNCRM federation specializes in motorcycle trade and repair. Current president Raymond VIÉ leads MOBILIANS.
- FFC (Fédération Française de Carrosserie)coreFounding federation of French bodywork professionals. Created first BAC PRO Carrossery in 1984 with GARAC. President Patrick Nardou.
- CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers)corePublic institution under higher education ministry, founded in 1794. Partners with GARAC to deliver exclusive Engineer degree in mechatronics (maintenance engineering) since 2008, valid for 10 years under CTI recognition.
- ANFA (Association Nationale pour la Formation Automobile)coreNational association implementing professional development strategy for the automotive sector. Designates GARAC as CFA Pilote and Lycée Pilote of ANFA. Collaboration convention established between ANFA and GARAC.
- CCFA (Comité des Constructeurs Français d'Automobiles)minorAssociated professional organization representing French automobile manufacturers in strategic sector discussions.
- CSIAM (Chambre Syndicale Internationale de l'Automobile et du Motocycle)minorAssociated organization created BTS Option Moto with GARAC in 1988 alongside FNCRM and FNCM.
- FEDA (Fédération de la Distribution Automobile)minorAssociated federation representing automotive distribution sector.
- AFISA (Association pour les Formations d'Ingénieur dans les Services de l'Automobile)coreStructures partnership between professionals and pedagogical operators (CNAM and GARAC) for engineer training in alternation.
- StellantisminorAutomotive manufacturer partnership for training content and vehicle donations.
- Groupe RenaultminorVehicle manufacturer providing pedagogical vehicles and technical support for training.
- Toyota FranceminorIntensified partnership for technician training with vehicle donations and training support.
- AVERE-FranceminorAssociation for electric mobility acceleration partnering with GARAC to accelerate electromobility training.
- Erasmus+ ConsortiumminorEuropean mobility program with accreditation until 2027, enabling student and teacher exchanges with partner schools in Czech Republic, Lithuania, Russia, Slovenia, and Italy.
- SSA LYCÉE PUBLIC AUTOMOBILE D'HOLICE (Czech Republic)minorPartner since 2004, specialized in Automotive and Transport trades, sharing same vision of training based on professional and social competencies.
- VILNIAUS AUTOMECHANIKOS IR VERSLO MOKYKLA (Lithuania)minorPartner since 2014, organizing international mechanical competition with eight other European partners.
- ITSMAKER (Italy)minorPartner school in Modena, Italy for European student exchanges.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers): GARAC's exclusive partner for the engineering degree in mechatronics but also a broader higher education and professional training institution serving similar lifelong-learning students. Acts simultaneously as partner (degree conferral) and adjacent peer in French post-secondary vocational credentials.
- ANFA (Association Nationale pour la Formation Automobile): Industry federation that designates GARAC as CFA Pilote and Lycée Pilote, while also coordinating the broader French automotive training ecosystem. Acts as a governance partner and upstream referral channel; not a direct competitor but shapes competitive dynamics across the ANFA network of 100+ French automotive CFAs.
- Greta (GRoupements d'ÉTAblissements publics): National network of public continuing education centers under the French Ministry of Education. Provides complementary adult vocational training (including transport-related programs) and competes for OPCO-funded continuing education contracts, but is broader and less specialized than GARAC.
Direct peers
- CCI Formation (Chambers of Commerce training network): Network of regional French Chamber of Commerce training centers offering vocational and continuing education, often including automotive-related programs. Directly competes with GARAC for apprenticeship contracts and continuing education revenue in overlapping French regions.
- AFTRAL (formerly TFI): Leading French vocational training organization specializing in transport, logistics, and driving professions, with apprenticeship (CFA) status and broad program portfolio. Closely comparable to GARAC as a sector-specific nonprofit vocational school with similar employer-partner recruitment model and government funding mix.
- UIMM Pôle Formation: Federation-backed network of French industrial vocational training centers (Pôle Formation) serving metallurgy and manufacturing trades. Comparable employer-driven funding model and apprenticeship structure, and overlaps with GARAC on the mechatronics and vehicle equipment training side.
- Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France: Historic French vocational training guild offering apprenticeship-based programs across multiple skilled trades. Comparable business model (employer-funded apprenticeship, journeyman-style pedagogy, multi-region presence) and serves as an alternative pathway for trades-focused students who might otherwise consider GARAC.
Broad incumbents
- AFPA: France's national vocational training association offering a much broader catalog of trade and technical programs across all sectors. Competes with GARAC for general adult learners and continuing education clients but lacks GARAC's automotive specialization and OEM-partner depth.
- Stellantis internal training programs (e.g., Stellantis &You Academy): Major OEM partner of GARAC that also operates proprietary dealer-network training and certification programs. Represents a vertical-integration threat: OEMs may pull training in-house for their own EV and software-defined vehicle service networks, potentially reducing GARAC's role over time.
Emerging players
- Volkswagen Group France Academy: OEM-run training programs for the Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, SEAT, and Cupra dealer/service networks in France. Comparable in targeting automotive technician certification, but vertically integrated within an OEM—offering an alternative pathway that competes with GARAC's independent model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile social profiles
Digital presenceGARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile
What does GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile do?
GARAC is a national vocational school delivering automotive profession education from CAP/BAC PRO level through engineering degree (BAC+5), with 26+ training programs covering vehicle maintenance, bodywork repair, vehicle construction, commercial management, and mechatronics engineering. Programs are delivered via school-based, apprenticeship, or professionalization contract formats, plus a continuing education arm (GARAC Formation) serving companies under the automobile collective agreement. Students train on 100+ pedagogical vehicles and industry-standard equipment at 17,000 m² of workshop facilities.
Is GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile a public or private company?
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile founded?
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile was founded in 1948. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile based?
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile is headquartered in Argenteuil, France, in the Europe region.
How does GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are apprenticeship Tax (Taxe d'apprentissage) and continuing Education.
Who are GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile's main competitors?
Others on record are CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers), ANFA (Association Nationale pour la Formation Automobile) and Greta (GRoupements d'ÉTAblissements publics). Direct peers are CCI Formation (Chambers of Commerce training network), AFTRAL (formerly TFI), UIMM Pôle Formation and Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France. Broad incumbents are AFPA and Stellantis internal training programs (e.g., Stellantis &You Academy). Volkswagen Group France Academy is listed as an emerging player.
Does GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile have an API?
No public API is recorded for GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile.
What industry is GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile in?
GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile's product category is Vocational Education and Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABALAB, Automotive, with a secondary code of EDAAANAL, Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep. Its NAICS code is 611519 and its SIC code is 8200.