Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen

What Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen does

Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen (KBBW Essen) is a non-profit vocational training and rehabilitation institution established in 1983 and headquartered in Essen-Kray, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Operating as a gemeinnützige GmbH under the umbrella of Kolping-Diözesanverband Essen within the Catholic Kolping network, the organization provides theory-reduced vocational training and social-pedagogical support for young people with learning disabilities (Lernbehinderung) and mental disabilities (psychische Behinderungen). The institution delivers training in over 20 recognized vocational occupations across eight trade areas (Elektrotechnik, Ernährung und Hauswirtschaft, Farbtechnik und Raumgestaltung, Holztechnik, Körperpflege, Metalltechnik, Wirtschaft und Verwaltung), with a recent expansion to 22 occupations including the new Fachpraktiker:in für IT-Systeme program.

The service delivery model integrates an on-site vocational school (Adolph-Kolping-Berufskolleg), residential living facilities (Lernort Wohnen), pre-vocational preparation programs (Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme, Eignungsabklärung, Arbeitserprobung), and integration management for transition to primary labor market employment. Technical infrastructure includes trade-specific workshops for metalworking, woodworking, gastronomy, and IT systems, supplemented by Virtual Reality welding simulation tools. The organization holds AZAV-Trägerzertifizierung and DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certifications in specialist areas 1, 3, and 6 (valid until August 2027), and is recognized as Träger der freien Jugendhilfe under §75 KJHG.

KBBW Essen operates a referral-driven revenue model where training costs are funded primarily through the German Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit), Deutsche Rentenversicherung, and partner Jobcenters under Germany's vocational rehabilitation framework. No direct costs are charged to eligible participants. Supplementary funding comes from donations for individual participant support needs (clothing, hygiene products, partially furnished apartments, single parent support). The institution is governed by Managing Directors Stefan Willmann and Nilofer Yousefi-Istalifie, with operational leadership spanning training, residential services, integration management, quality assurance, and data protection functions.

Name

Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen

Legal name

KOLPING-BERUFSBILDUNGSWERK ESSEN gemeinnützige GMBH

Website

https://kbbw-essen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen is a non-profit vocational rehabilitation institution in Essen, Germany providing theory-reduced training in 22 occupations for youth with learning and mental disabilities, funded primarily through the German Federal Employment Agency.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation and Training Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Disabled youth training
• Pre-vocational programs
• Apprenticeship training occupations
• Social pedagogical support

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded vocational rehabilitation: Primary funding through German Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and related rehabilitation carriers. Training costs are covered for eligible participants who meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation under German social law.
2. Donations and charitable contributions: Individual financial support for participants' personal needs (clothing, hygiene products, furniture, single parent support) funded through donations. The organization operates as a gemeinnützige GmbH (non-profit limited company) and can issue tax-deductible donation receipts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen provides vocational training and social rehabilitation services for young people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. The organization delivers training in over 20 recognized occupations across eight trade areas, complemented by pre-vocational preparation programs (BvB, EA, AE), an on-site vocational school (Adolph-Kolping-Berufskolleg), residential living support (Lernort Wohnen), and integration management services. Services are primarily funded through German public employment and rehabilitation agencies.

Product overview

Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen (KBBW) is a vocational training and rehabilitation institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of services for young people with disabilities. The core offering includes over 20 training professions across eight trade areas (Elektrotechnik, Ernährung und Hauswirtschaft, Farbtechnik und Raumgestaltung, Holztechnik, Körperpflege, Metalltechnik, Wirtschaft und Verwaltung), pre-vocational programs (Eignungsabklärung, Arbeitserprobung, Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme), the Adolph-Kolping-Berufskolleg vocational school, and residential learning (Lernort Wohnen). The portfolio also includes special initiatives like the Weihnachtlicher Handwerkermarkt event, Virtual-Reality welding training, football team activities, and integration management services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates of Berufsbildungswerke have higher employment rates and earn €6,100 more annually than disabled people without vocational qualification (Institute of German Economy study)

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jobcenter GelsenkirchencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership in the 'Level up' (Förderangebot zur beruflichen Förderung) program for vocational support of young adults and adults with multiple employment barriers. Joint initiative providing targeted employment support.
• Ministerium für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales Nordrhein-Westfalen (MAGS NRW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative '100 zusätzliche Ausbildungsplätze für Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene mit Behinderung in Nordrhein-Westfalen' (100 additional training positions for youth with disabilities). Partnership with Regionaldirektion NRW of Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Regionaldirektion NRW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation in the initiative for 100 additional training positions for youth with disabilities in NRW, with joint oversight by MAGS NRW.
• Kolping-Diözesanverband EssencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional membership in the Kolping Diocesan Association of Essen, providing organizational support, values-based education framework, and participation in Diocesan events like Werkstattgespräche.
• Sozialwerk St. Georg WerkstättenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCooperation in modular continuing education 'Servicebereich Kasse' (cash register service area). Concrete cooperation in training content and skills development.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Berufsbildungswerke (BAG BBW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional membership in the national association of Berufsbildungswerke. Participates in network meetings, championships, and advocacy for vocational rehabilitation services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Berufsbildungswerke (BAG BBW): The national industry association of Berufsbildungswerke in Germany, of which KBBW Essen is a member. Not a direct competitor but a coordinating body that influences federal policy advocacy, inter-BBW events (including the football championships KBBW has won), and sector standards.

Direct peers

• Kolping Bildungswerk: The Kolping network's national educational arm offering vocational training, continuing education, and social-pedagogical support across Germany. Sister organization within the same Kolping network as KBBW Essen, sharing values-based education philosophy and offering overlapping vocational rehabilitation services.
• Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig: An eastern German BBW providing vocational rehabilitation and apprenticeship training for young people with disabilities. Direct peer under AZAV and BAG BBW frameworks with comparable trade-based curriculum and residential learning components.
• Berufsbildungswerk Cadenberge: A Lower Saxony BBW offering vocational training and social-pedagogical support for youth with disabilities. Direct peer with comparable service model, regulatory status, and BAG BBW membership.
• Annedore-Leber-Berufsbildungswerk Berlin: A Berlin-based BBW delivering vocational rehabilitation and training for young people with disabilities, with an on-site vocational school component analogous to Adolph-Kolping-Berufskolleg. Direct peer under identical AZAV/ISO regulatory framework.
• Berufsbildungswerk Waldwinkel: A BBW in Aschau im Chiemgau providing vocational rehabilitation and residential learning for young people with disabilities. Direct peer offering an integrated training-plus-residential model similar to KBBW Essen's Lernort Wohnen approach.
• Berufsbildungswerk Südhessen: A BAG BBW member Berufsbildungswerk in Karben, Hessen, offering vocational rehabilitation and training for young people with disabilities across multiple trades. Direct peer operating under the same AZAV certification regime and federal funding model as KBBW Essen.
• Berufsbildungswerk Bremen: A northern German BBW offering vocational training in multiple trades for youth with disabilities, member of BAG BBW. Operates the same federal-referral-funded model and serves a comparable participant cohort.
• Berufsbildungswerk Adolf Aich: A long-established BBW in Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg, providing vocational training and rehabilitation for youth with disabilities. Direct peer with similar service portfolio, regulatory framework, and BAG BBW membership.

Broad incumbents

• CJD (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands): One of Germany's largest non-profit youth welfare and vocational education organizations, offering vocational training, integration support, and rehabilitation services across many Bundesländer. Broader incumbent with overlapping vocational-rehabilitation capabilities but a wider portfolio including schools, kindergartens, and international programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KBBWessen
• Instagraminstagram.com/kbbw_essen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kolping-berufsbildungswerk-essen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kolping-Berufsbildungswerk Essen