Ludwig-Erhard-Schule

What Ludwig-Erhard-Schule does

Ludwig-Erhard-Schule (LES) is a public vocational school (berufliche Schule) located at Legienstr. 5 in Frankfurt-Unterliederbach, Germany, operated by the city of Frankfurt am Main under the Hessian education system. Founded in 1903 as a commercial continuation school, renamed in 1982 after Ludwig Erhard (the architect of Germany's postwar social market economy), the school delivers commercial and business-track education across four program formats: Berufsfachschule zum Übergang in Ausbildung (BÜA) for students entering vocational training, two-year Fachoberschule (FOS) leading to Fachhochschulreife, part-time Berufsschule supporting dual apprenticeships in Büromanagement, Einzelhandel/Verkäufer, Dialogmarketing, and Industriekaufleute, and the recently reintroduced Berufliches Gymnasium (BG) with an economics focus launching in school year 2025/26. A bilingual FOS track (English-medium instruction) was added in 2024/25.

The underlying technology stack is standard educational infrastructure rather than a proprietary platform: WebUntis for scheduling, LESMoodle as the LMS, LESWebmail and Hesse Schulmail for communication, digital whiteboards in all classrooms, and integration with Schul-ID Hessen and the Stadtbücherei Frankfurt catalog. No APIs, proprietary AI, or commercial product suite are offered. Distribution is purely through direct enrollment and statutory admission processes, supported by an annual Tag der offenen Beruflichen Schule (ToBS) open house and the LES-Ausbildungsmesse vocational training fair, which hosted 33 companies at its third edition in February 2025.

The business model is fully public: the school charges no tuition and is funded through Hessian and Frankfurt municipal education budgets. Auxiliary funding comes from the Förderverein (support association founded 1991) and third-party donations. International mobility is enabled through Erasmus+ partnerships with Friedrich-List-Schule Darmstadt, Gesellschaft für Europabildung Berlin, and ADC College Dublin, supporting placements in England, Spain, France, and Ireland. The school is also part of the Bildungscampus Frankfurt West consortium (with Paul-Ehrlich-Schule and Provadis GmbH, since 2010) and joined the 'Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage' network in January 2023. Leadership has been stable under Schulleiter Bernhard Friedrich since August 1, 2011.

Name

Ludwig-Erhard-Schule

Legal name

Ludwig-Erhard-Schule

Website

https://les-frankfurt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ludwig-Erhard-Schule is a publicly funded vocational school in Frankfurt-Unterliederbach, Germany, offering commercial-track education through BÜA, FOS, Berufsschule, and the newly reintroduced Berufliches Gymnasium to students aged 15–40.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intensive Bootcamps & Accelerated ASE Programs (EDAAABAH), Tutoring, Study Skills & Learning Strategies for ASE (EDAAABAL), Adult Learner Support Services (Advising, Case Management, Wraparound Supports) (EDAAABAJ), Title I & Compensatory Education Programs (EDAJAGAJ)

Keywords

• Vocational commercial education
• Dual apprenticeship training
• Business school programs
• Secondary education pathway
• Commercial vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ludwig-Erhard-Schule is a public vocational commercial school that delivers four integrated educational programs: BüA (Berufsfachschule zum Übergang in Ausbildung) for pre-vocational preparation, FOS (Fachoberschule Wirtschaft) for Fachhochschulreife including a bilingual track, Berufsschule for dual apprenticeship training in Büromanagement, Einzelhandel, Dialogmarketing and Industriekaufleute, and the reintroduced Berufliches Gymnasium with economics specialization leading to Abitur. Supporting services include Erasmus+ international placements, the LES Lernlabor self-learning center, the annual LES-Ausbildungsmesse training fair, and the ToBS open house event.

Product overview

Ludwig-Erhard-Schule is a vocational commercial school (kaufmännische Berufliche Schule) in Frankfurt-Unterliederbach offering a portfolio of educational programs including: Berufsfachschule zum Übergang in Ausbildung (BÜA) for pre-vocational training, Fachoberschule (FOS) for Fachhochschulreife, Berufsschule for dual vocational training in commercial occupations (Office Management, Retail, Dialog Marketing, Industrial Clerical), and a newly launched Berufliches Gymnasium (BG) for Abitur. The school operates as a unified platform with support services including a Learning Laboratory (Lernlabor), annual Ausbildungsmesse career fair, and participates in the regional Bildungscampus Frankfurt West network. International programs include Erasmus+ placements and a bilingual FOS track.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bildungscampus Frankfurt West: Cooperation between Ludwig-Erhard-Schule, Paul-Ehrlich-Schule and Provadis GmbH for vocational education

Products and services

• Berufsfachschule zum Übergang in Ausbildung (BüA) Full-time vocational pre-apprenticeship school program for students with or without Hauptschulabschluss, offering specializations in Office (Büro), Trade (Handel), and Warehouse Logistics (Lagerlogistik). Students can obtain Hauptschulabschluss or Mittlerer Abschluss and transition to dual apprenticeship programs.
• Fachoberschule (FOS) Wirtschaft Two-year full-time vocational upper secondary school in the specialization of Economics, enabling students with Mittlerer Abschluss (Realschulabschluss) to obtain Fachhochschulreife for entrance to universities of applied sciences. Includes a mandatory one-year internship as part of the program.
• Berufsschule (Duale Ausbildung) Part-time vocational school providing classroom instruction for apprentices in dual vocational training programs in commercial occupations including Büromanagement (Office Management), Einzelhandel/Verkäufer (Retail/Sales), Dialogmarketing, and Industriekaufleute (Industrial Clerical Work). Complementing on-the-job training with theoretical vocational education and IHK exam preparation.
• Berufliches Gymnasium (BG) Three-year vocational upper secondary Gymnasium program with economics specialization, enabling students to obtain the general university entrance qualification (Abitur). Reintroduced in school year 2025/26 after the previous Wirtschaftsgymnasium concluded in 2008.
• Erasmus+ Auslandspraktika International exchange program enabling students to complete work placements abroad in partner countries including England, Spain, France, and Ireland for durations ranging from 2 to 52 weeks, funded by the EU Erasmus+ program through partner organizations Friedrich-List-Schule and Gesellschaft für Europabildung.
• FOS Bilingual (Englisch) Bilingual Fachoberschule program with English as the language of instruction, launched for school year 2024/25 to prepare FOS Wirtschaft students for international careers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Many BÜA students successfully acquire Hauptschulabschluss or Mittlerer Abschluss and transition to apprenticeships
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bildungscampus Frankfurt WestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2010Consortium formed in 2010 between Ludwig-Erhard-Schule, Paul-Ehrlich-Schule, and Provadis GmbH to create synergies in vocational education in Frankfurt West. Organizes annual orientation event 'Finde Deinen Beruf' and coordinates training programs.
• Paul-Ehrlich-SchulecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bildungscampus Frankfurt West consortium, co-organizing educational events and programs for students in the Frankfurt West region.
• Provadis GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bildungscampus Frankfurt West consortium, providing training and education services for students transitioning from school to vocational careers.
• Erasmus+ (EU Programme)coreOthersEU program enabling students to undertake international internships. Students from LES have completed placements in England, Spain, France, and Ireland through partner organizations Friedrich-List-Schule and Gesellschaft für Europabildung.
• Friedrich-List-Schule DarmstadtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Erasmus+ program, enabling 4-6 month internships in England, Spain, and France.
• Gesellschaft für Europabildung BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Erasmus+ program, facilitating 2-52 week internships across multiple partner countries.
• Armand Zorn (MdB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPD Bundestagsabgeordneter serving as project patron for LES in the 'Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage' network since January 2023.
• Bildungsinitiative Ferhat UnvarminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization founded by Serpil Unvar offering workshops at schools on racism and discrimination prevention. Conducted workshops at LES.
• Grenzenlos (World University Service)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInitiative bringing international students to German schools for global learning workshops. Conducted climate change and migration workshops at LES.
• DGB-Jugend FrankfurtminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGerman Trade Union Confederation youth organization conducting democracy and co-determination workshops at LES.
• Haus des Jugendrechts Frankfurt-HöchstminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYouth justice center sending representatives to discuss criminal law and juvenile justice with LES students.
• PIAFE Programme (EU-Marocco Partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and education support program between Morocco and EU. Moroccan delegation visited LES to learn about German vocational education system.
• Ivana Brnada (Croatian Teacher)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian vocational school teacher hosted at LES in March 2024 for international exchange and professional development.
• ADC College DublinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage college in Dublin where LES students completed Business English courses during their Erasmus+ internship program in Ireland.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Klingerschule Frankfurt: Frankfurt vocational school providing commercial and business education, closely comparable to LES in mission, structure, and student demographic. Represents a direct competitor in the local market for commercial vocational training.
• Höhere Handelsschule der Hans-Böckler-Schule: Frankfurt-area vocational school offering Höhere Handelsschule (advanced commercial school) programs. Similar to LES's BÜA pathway in serving students seeking commercial education credentials.
• Berufliche Schulen Gießen: Hesse state vocational school complex offering multiple berufliche Schulen programs including commercial tracks. Comparable to LES in its multi-program structure and Hessian education system affiliation.
• Max-Eyth-Schule Frankfurt: Frankfurt berufliche Schule providing vocational education in agricultural and technical fields. While focused on different occupational tracks, it operates in the same Hessian public school system and competes for regional student enrollment.
• Staatliche Handelsschule Hanau: Public commercial vocational school in nearby Hanau within the Rhine-Main economic region. Comparable to LES in offering commercial vocational pathways and competing for the same regional student demographic.
• Friedrich-List-Schule Darmstadt: Partner school for LES's Erasmus+ program and fellow Hesse-based commercial vocational school. Operates in a similar berufliche Schule format with comparable dual training programs in business occupations.

Broad incumbents

• IHK Frankfurt am Main: Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce, which oversees commercial apprenticeship examinations and coordinates with vocational schools like LES. Represents a broader institutional player in the same vocational education ecosystem.
• bbw Bildungswerk der Hessischen Wirtschaft: Large Hesse-based vocational education and training provider with broader regional coverage than LES. Offers corporate training and dual apprenticeship programs that overlap with LES's Berufsschule offerings.

Direct peers

• Paul-Ehrlich-Schule Frankfurt: Frankfurt vocational school and longtime LES partner within the BildungsCampus Frankfurt West consortium. Both serve as public berufliche Schulen in the same geographic market with overlapping apprenticeship pathways in commercial and technical education.
• Provadis GmbH: Frankfurt-based private vocational education provider and LES partner in the BildungsCampus Frankfurt West consortium. Provadis offers dual training programs and corporate training that directly overlap with LES's Berufsschule commercial curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ludwig-erhard-schule

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Ludwig-Erhard-Schule