Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik e.V.

What Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik e.V. does

Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik gGmbH (ibs gGmbH) is a non-profit (gemeinnützige) vocational and social-pedagogy education provider founded in 1983 and headquartered in Pohlheim, Hessen, Germany, operating across at least five locations in Mittelhessen: Gießen (the primary site with multiple annexes), Friedberg, Büdingen, Wetzlar, and Pohlheim. The organization delivers a broad portfolio of educational services organized into five subject areas — IT & Media, Administration & Commerce, Healthcare & Nursing, Skilled Trades, and Horticulture & Landscaping — through standardized German vocational programs including Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahmen (BvB and BvB-Reha), Berufsorientierungsmaßnahmen (BOM), Berufspraktische Weiterbildung (BPW), DigiQ digital skills training, language and integration courses (DaZ/DaF, Step by Step, RESTART), individual coaching, and corporate services such as forklift licensing, employee qualification (Beschäftigtenqualifizierung, AoG), and seminar-room rental. Target segments span job seekers and the long-term unemployed (SGB II/III-funded), apprentices and vocational students requiring supplemental tutoring, youth and young adults in school-to-work transition, migrants and refugees, people with disabilities (rehabilitation programs), and regional SMEs seeking workforce qualification.

Revenue is generated almost exclusively through publicly funded commissioning arrangements with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Jobcenter Gießen, Jobcenter Wetterau, and the Hessisches Ministerium für Soziales und Integration, supplemented by EU co-financing (programs such as NoGAP, Green-MINT, INArbeit) and a smaller direct B2B stream from regional employers. Participants access programs via Bildungsgutscheine and Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutscheine rather than direct payment, while companies receive individual quotes for seminars, certifications, and rental. The organization's GTM is sales-led but relationship-driven: demand is effectively pre-sourced through public carriers and chamber partnerships (IHK Gießen-Friedberg, IHK Lahn-Dill, Kreishandwerkerschaft Lahn-Dill), with a website and Instagram presence serving as auxiliary touchpoints. Underlying technology is conventional — a media room with 3D printing and podcast/photography equipment, digital learning content, and standard productivity tooling — with no AI, API platform, or proprietary software product. Operations are held together by AZAV and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, IHK-recognized examination preparation, four decades of accumulated curriculum, and a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social educators, vocational trainers, masters (Meister), and domain specialists across IT, commerce, healthcare, trades, and logistics.

Name

Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik e.V.

Legal name

Institut für Berufs- & Sozialpädagogik gGmbH

Website

https://ibs-ev.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Non-profit vocational and social-pedagogy education provider founded in 1983 in Mittelhessen, Germany, delivering publicly funded training, language integration, apprenticeship support, and corporate qualification programs across Pohlheim, Gießen, Friedberg, Büdingen, and Wetzlar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Vocational training programs
• Publicly funded education
• Language integration courses
• Apprenticeship exam preparation
• Career coaching services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pohlheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded Training Programs: ibs gGmbH generates revenue primarily through government-funded training programs commissioned by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), Jobcenter Gießen, Jobcenter Wetterau, and the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs (HMSI). Programs are funded via Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers), Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutscheine (activation and placement vouchers), and other public subsidy instruments (SGB II, SGB III). Individual course participants do not pay directly; funding is arranged through their responsible public carrier.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik gGmbH (ibs gGmbH) is a non-profit vocational education and training provider founded in 1983 that delivers publicly funded qualification, retraining, language, and integration programs. Programs are organized across five subject areas (IT & Media, Administration & Business, Healthcare & Nursing, Trade & Technical, Horticulture & Landscaping) and serve job seekers, apprentices, youth, migrants, and regional companies. Revenue flows primarily from commissions by the Federal Employment Agency, jobcenters, and the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs via education vouchers (Bildungsgutscheine, Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutscheine).

Product overview

Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik gGmbH (ibs) is a vocational education and training provider founded in 1983, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs across multiple subject areas. The organization provides vocational qualification programs, apprenticeship preparation, career coaching, language support, and specialized training for various target groups including youth, adults, people with disabilities, long-term unemployed, and migrants. The offerings are organized into five Fachbereiche (subject areas): IT & Medien, Verwaltung & Wirtschaft, Gesundheitswesen & Pflege, Gewerblich-technischer Bereich, and Garten- & Landschaftsbau. Programs include Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahmen (BvB), Berufsorientierungsmaßnahmen (BOM), Berufspraktische Weiterbildungen (BPW), individual coaching services, company-focused offerings (forklift certification, employee qualification, seminar room rental), and rehabilitation training programs. The institution operates across multiple locations in middle Hesse (Gießen, Friedberg, Büdingen, Wetzlar).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BvB - Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of retraining participants (Umschüler) who pass their final exam are subsequently hired as skilled workers in a company — based on organizational performance data cited on the ubH program page.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) Gießen-FriedbergcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber of commerce partner for administering and proctoring IHK final examinations in vocational fields including warehouse logistics, retail, and commerce. ibs prepares participants for IHK external examinations (Externenprüfung).
• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) Lahn-DillcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber of commerce partner for the Lahn-Dill region; administers IHK final examinations for ibs participants in vocational qualification programs.
• Kreishandwerkerschaft Lahn-DillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild association partner for the Lahn-Dill trade region, facilitating cooperation with local skilled trades (Handwerk) for practical training placements and apprenticeship support.
• Zaug gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise partner based in Gießen, potentially collaborating on vocational integration projects for people with disabilities or other target groups.
• Jugendwerkstatt Gießen GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth workshop organization in Gießen serving as a partner for youth-oriented vocational programs and practical training cooperation.
• MIND gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise partner engaged in vocational and integration programs, collaborating with ibs on employment integration initiatives.
• Asklepios Bildungszentrum für Gesundheitsberufe LichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare education partner for the 'Förderung von Grundkompetenzen für Beschäftigte in der Altenpflege' program. Asklepios Lich hosts internships and employs participants; ibs provides literacy and language support.
• Pflege- und Förderzentrum St. Anna GießenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare and support center in Gießen partnering with ibs for the Grundkompetenzen program for nursing employees. Hosts internship placements for program participants.
• Schulen im Landkreis GießencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchools in the Landkreis Gießen partner with ibs for career orientation programs (BOM, BvB) and the Green-MINT project, delivering vocational orientation directly within the school setting.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreOthersPrimary public commissioning body (alongside jobcenters) funding ibs training programs under SGB III. Commissioning relationship spanning decades.
• Jobcenter GießencoreOthersPrimary public commissioning body for SGB II-funded employment integration programs targeting long-term unemployed individuals in Gießen.
• Jobcenter WetteraucoreOthersPublic commissioning body for SGB II-funded programs serving job seekers in the Wetteraukreis region (including Friedberg and Büdingen locations).
• Hessisches Ministerium für Soziales und Integration (HMSI)coreOthersHessian Ministry co-financing EU-supported integration and qualification programs operated by ibs. Programs include INArbeit, STEP BY STEP, and Green-MINT.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Akademie GmbH: Large incumbent vocational training division offering AZAV-certified retraining, forklift licensing, and qualification programs nationwide; broader portfolio but overlapping offerings in forklift certification and logistics qualification that ibs also delivers.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie / TÜV NORD Bildung: Established technical-vocational training providers offering certification-style courses (forklift, quality management, IT) to corporate and publicly funded participants; competes with ibs's certification programs while operating at much larger national scale.

Direct peers

• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: One of Germany's largest private education providers (non-profit), delivering publicly funded vocational qualification, retraining, and integration courses; competes head-on with ibs for jobcenter commissioning contracts across multiple Bundesländer.
• Grone Bildungszentren gGmbH: Non-profit vocational education network with AZAV certification, providing retraining, integration, and qualification programs including trade, healthcare, and commercial tracks — directly analogous offerings and funding model.
• BBQ Bildung und Berufliche Qualifizierung gGmbH: Non-profit Bildungsträger operating AZAV-certified vocational training, coaching, and integration programs with direct overlap to ibs's portfolio — including Ausbildung support, BvB, and SGB II/III-funded measures.
• IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG: Private Bildungsträger delivering publicly funded vocational retraining, language courses, and digital-skills programs; competes with ibs in the same jobcenter voucher-funded segment.
• WBS TRAINING AG: AZAV-certified private education provider offering retraining, coaching, and qualification programs funded via Bildungsgutscheine; overlaps with ibs's SGB III coaching and qualification portfolio across multiple regions in Germany.
• FAW – Fortbildungsakademie der Wirtschaft gGmbH: Industry-affiliated non-profit delivering publicly funded vocational retraining, integration, and qualification programs through regional academies; comparable product, GTM, and funding model to ibs.
• bfw – Berufsfortbildungswerk GmbH: Large German non-profit Bildungsträger offering AZAV-certified vocational retraining, coaching, and integration programs funded by Bundesagentur für Arbeit and jobcenters — directly competing for the same SGB II/III voucher pools as ibs.

Regional players

• Volkshochschule Gießen (VHS): Municipal adult education center in the same city as ibs's headquarters, offering publicly funded German language, integration, and vocational preparation courses — partial overlap on language and integration segments though typically without AZAV/SGB III commissioning scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ibsggmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-f%C3%BCr-berufs--und-sozialp%C3%A4dagogik-e-v-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institut für Berufs- und Sozialpädagogik e.V.