GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile

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.

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

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

• Vocational automotive training
• Automotive technical education
• Apprenticeship programs
• Mechatronics engineering
• Electric vehicle training

Headquarters

HQ city

Argenteuil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: State-funded institution operating as a private high school under contract with the State, receiving government subsidies for educational operations
2. Apprenticeship Tax (Taxe d'apprentissage): Companies contribute a percentage of their payroll to fund vocational training at institutions like GARAC
3. Continuing Education: GARAC Formation catalog for companies in the Automobile Services Collective Agreement, with OPCO Mobilités financing

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BYDflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Strategic 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.
• MOBILIANScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding federation of French bodywork professionals. Created first BAC PRO Carrossery in 1984 with GARAC. President Patrick Nardou.
• CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated professional organization representing French automobile manufacturers in strategic sector discussions.
• CSIAM (Chambre Syndicale Internationale de l'Automobile et du Motocycle)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated organization created BTS Option Moto with GARAC in 1988 alongside FNCRM and FNCM.
• FEDA (Fédération de la Distribution Automobile)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated federation representing automotive distribution sector.
• AFISA (Association pour les Formations d'Ingénieur dans les Services de l'Automobile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructures partnership between professionals and pedagogical operators (CNAM and GARAC) for engineer training in alternation.
• StellantisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive manufacturer partnership for training content and vehicle donations.
• Groupe RenaultminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVehicle manufacturer providing pedagogical vehicles and technical support for training.
• Toyota FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntensified partnership for technician training with vehicle donations and training support.
• AVERE-FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation for electric mobility acceleration partnering with GARAC to accelerate electromobility training.
• Erasmus+ ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner since 2014, organizing international mechanical competition with eight other European partners.
• ITSMAKER (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Modena, Italy for European student exchanges.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• 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

• TikToktiktok.com/@garaccampus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/garac---ecole-nationale-des-professions-de-l'automobile

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 GARAC - Ecole Nationale des Professions de l'Automobile