Rotkreuz-Institut

What Rotkreuz-Institut does

Rotkreuz-Institut Berufsbildungswerk im DRK Berlin gGmbH is a non-profit vocational training and rehabilitation institution founded in 1973 and affiliated with the German Red Cross (DRK Berlin) under the Landesverband Berliner Rotes Kreuz e.V. Headquartered on a residential campus in Berlin-Kladow with satellite locations in Prenzlauer Berg (Berlin Beta Work, commercial training) and Friedrichshain (Berlin Beta Work INklusiv, IT/digital training), the organization delivers integrated services across four core pillars: the Berufsbildungswerk (BBW) vocational training for youth with special support needs, the Berufliches Trainingszentrum (BTZ) vocational retraining for adults recovering from psychological or physical illness, Jugendhilfe Munita youth welfare services, and the DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe (school for social professions). It also operates community infrastructure including the Stadtteilzentrum Kladow, the 2RadCafé and 2RadLaden, and the 6,000 sqm Gärtnerei Am Ritterholz training nursery.

The institution's technology stack is rooted in physical vocational training infrastructure rather than software platforms: CNC turning and milling machines, modern training kitchens, IT workstations, vehicle painting workshops, bicycle repair facilities, and greenhouse cultivation environments are deployed across training workshops to deliver practical, hands-on learning. The IT and digital-professions training arm at Berlin Beta Work INklusiv offers a unique accessibility-focused program for visually impaired participants in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, working with approximately 25 partner companies for integrated practical training and employment placement. The 2024-launched Check IN Berufsorientierung program extends the institution into school-resistant youth re-engagement.

The business model is referral-driven and government-funded: prospective participants enter via the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) Reha teams, Jugendämter (youth welfare offices), and other statutory cost carriers (rehabilitation insurers, pension insurance providers), with the institution billing for vocational rehabilitation services delivered rather than charging participants directly. The GTM motion is sales-led through these institutional channels, supplemented by weekly information days at Campus Kladow, job fairs, and company-facing events to recruit inclusive-hire partners from the Mittelstand segment. With 46 staff, the organization reports strong outcome metrics including a 100% completion rate in residential care (10/10 apprenticeships over 1.5 years with zero dropouts), a 2024 State Champion in vehicle painting among HWK Berlin examination candidates, and approximately 50% of graduates receiving binding job offers upon graduation. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Rotkreuz-Institut

Legal name

Rotkreuz-Institut Berufsbildungswerk im DRK Berlin gGmbH

Website

https://rkibbw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rotkreuz-Institut is a Berlin-based non-profit vocational training and rehabilitation institution affiliated with the German Red Cross, delivering vocational training for youth with special needs, adult retraining after illness, youth welfare services, and inclusive commercial and IT training across multiple Berlin locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Rehabilitation Support (PT/OT Aide) (EDAOAJAI)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Vocational training programs
• Youth welfare services
• Occupational reintegration training
• Inclusive employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin-Kladow

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Vocational Rehabilitation Funding: Government-funded vocational rehabilitation services. Costs for rehabilitation measures are typically covered by the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). Costs are borne by rehabilitation insurers, pension insurance providers, or other cost carriers based on individual eligibility.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rotkreuz-Institut provides vocational training, occupational rehabilitation, and youth welfare services through its Berufsbildungswerk, Berufliches Trainingszentrum, Jugendhilfe Munita, and School for Social Professions. It serves disadvantaged youth and adults with physical, psychological, or social challenges, offering practical training in metalworking, IT, vehicle care, horticulture, bicycle repair, and commercial/administrative skills across multiple Berlin campuses. Costs are covered by statutory rehabilitation providers including the Agentur für Arbeit, pension insurance, and other cost carriers.

Product overview

Rotkreuz-Institut is a vocational training and rehabilitation institution (Berufsbildungswerk) operated by DRK Berlin, offering a comprehensive portfolio of integrated services across multiple locations in Berlin. The core offerings include the Berufsbildungswerk (vocational training for youth with disabilities), the Berufliches Trainingszentrum (vocational retraining for adults after illness), Jugendhilfe Munita (youth welfare services), and the DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe (school for social professions). Sub-brands include Berlin Beta Work and Berlin Beta Work INklusiv for commercial and IT training, while training facilities include 2RadLaden (bicycle workshop), 2RadCafé (cafe), Stadtteilzentrum Kladow (community center), and Gärtnerei Am Ritterholz (nursery). The institution also provides Check IN Berufsorientierung for school-resistant youth and operates dormitory and leisure facilities on the Kladow campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Berlin Beta Work: Standort für kaufmännische Ausbildungen im Prenzlauer Berg
• Berlin Beta Work INklusiv
• 2RadCafé
• 2RadLaden
• Stadtteilzentrum Kladow

Products and services

• Berufsbildungswerk (BBW) Vocational training center with residential dormitory, support services, and practical training areas offering youth and young adults entry into qualified vocational education and the working world across multiple disciplines including metalworking, vehicle care, IT, gastronomy, horticulture, and bicycle repair.
• Berufliches Trainingszentrum (BTZ) Vocational training center for people with professional experience seeking new perspectives after psychological or physical illness, helping them rediscover their strengths and find suitable employment through workplace orientation and employer contact facilitation.
• Jugendhilfe Munita Youth welfare service accompanying young people on their path to personal and professional independence, providing social support and opportunities to develop into self-responsible members of society.
• DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe Berlin School offering training in social professions in full-time or part-time formats, with continuing education for career changers, specialized educators, and nursing professionals, including practical placements in day-care centers, schools, and social institutions.
• Berlin Beta Work Inclusion platform for commercial training located in Prenzlauer Berg, offering workplace-oriented and inclusive qualification through office services (secretarial, data management, accounting, recruiting, marketing, event support) delivered by trainees to external companies.
• Berlin Beta Work INklusiv IT training location in Berlin-Friedrichshain offering training for the digital world, including specialized programs for young people with visual impairments — unique in the Berlin-Brandenburg region — with approximately 25 partner companies supporting practical training and employment integration.
• 2RadLaden Bicycle shop and workshop training area in Kladow offering bicycle repair, sales, and related vocational training including e-bike services to external customers as practical training environment.
• 2RadCafé Café operated by trainees from various training areas, offering beverages, daily changing cakes and meals in a modern environment, providing practical customer service and hospitality experience.
• Stadtteilzentrum Kladow Community center at Sakrower Landstraße serving as social meeting place for the Kladow neighborhood since 2020, with training opportunities for business and administration trainees in community work.
• Gärtnerei Am Ritterholz Training nursery spanning 6,000 square meters offering horticulture and landscape gardening vocational training with plant sales, garden construction, and landscape services to external customers.
• Check IN Berufsorientierung Career orientation program for school-resistant youth offering a second chance at school graduation and/or vocational training entry, addressing youth facing barriers to traditional educational pathways.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 completed apprenticeships in 1.5 years without a single dropout in residential care
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft (BVMW)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 February 2025Jointly organized an evening event at the Berlin Beta Work INklusiv location targeting Geschäftsführende (management) and Personalverantwortliche (HR) from Mittelstand companies on the topic of employing people with psychological impairments. BVMW members affected by skilled labor shortages were primary audience.
• IHK Berlin (Industrie- und Handelskammer)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2025Stefan Mathews from IHK Berlin's Ausbildungsberatung und Ausbildungsmarketing (training consulting and marketing) division presented on IHK support available for companies hiring trainees from rehabilitation programs.
• EAA (Einheitliche Ansprechstelle für Arbeitgeber)minorOthersEinheitliche Ansprechstelle für Arbeitgeber (Uniform Contact Point for Employers) was presented as a resource that advises companies regarding funding opportunities when hiring severely disabled and impaired people. Referenced during joint events with BVMW.
• InklupreneurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusion platform that contributed matching opportunities between companies and impaired skilled workers at the Berlin Beta Work company info event. Focuses on connecting businesses with talent from vocational rehabilitation.
• Europace AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany partner participating in Berlin Beta Work info event and networking evening. Represents the type of Mittelstand company engaged with RKI for trainee placements and inclusion hiring.
• Digital Vikings GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner participating in Berlin Beta Work info event. Engaged in networking and potential cooperation for trainee placements.
• Initiative Handiclapped – Kultur Barrierefrei e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit inclusion initiative that receives support from Berlin Beta Work trainees in accounting and marketing functions. Demonstrates the service capabilities of trainees to external organizations.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Berufsbildungswerke (BAG BBW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association of Berufsbildungswerke (vocational training centers). RKI BBW initiated expert survey on changing support needs in German Berufsbildungswerke with BAG BBW support. BAG BBW Geschäftsführerin Tanja Ergin participated in State Secretary visit in January 2024. BAG BBW Fachausschuss 'Forschung und Evaluation' planned to develop findings further.
• Agentur für Arbeit Berlin NordcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFederal Employment Agency regional office represented at State Secretary visit. Part of the cost coverage and referral system for rehabilitation participants. Integration of different payers (Kostenträger) is a focus area discussed at leadership level.
• SFZ Sehzentrum Berlin-FriedrichshainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced by State Secretary Micha Klapp as potential future cooperation partner for IT training at the Berlin Beta Work INklusiv location near the SFZ visual impairment center.
• Selbsthilfevereinigung Angehörige psychisch erkrankter Menschen e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-help association for relatives of mentally ill people participated in 50th anniversary celebrations, presenting their support offerings at the anniversary event.
• bipolaris e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-help organization for people with bipolar disorder. Had positive assessment of anniversary event atmosphere and participated in 50th anniversary celebrations.
• Radeln ohne Alter Deutschland e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that promotes cycling experiences for elderly people and developed the e-rickshaw concept. Provided expertise and know-how for the 'Kladow Bewegt' e-rickshaw project launched by RKI.
• Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus HavelhöheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution identified as a primary beneficiary of the e-rickshaw mobility service for patients who cannot self-propel, located in Kladow area.
• Pflegeheim Ernst HoppeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing home identified as a primary beneficiary of the e-rickshaw mobility service for elderly residents in Kladow.
• Gemeinschaftshospiz ChristophorusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospice organization identified as a primary beneficiary of the e-rickshaw mobility service for patients and families in Kladow.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie vocational rehabilitation and training services: Confessional welfare association with nationwide vocational rehabilitation, youth welfare, and integration programs; competing welfare-sector peer drawing on similar statutory funding streams.
• Caritas vocational training and rehabilitation programs: Confessional welfare organization running vocational rehabilitation, youth welfare, and social-professions training nationwide; comparable service mix including BTZ-style adult retraining and residential youth services.
• SRH Berufsbildungswerke (SRH Holding): Private nonprofit education and healthcare group operating Berufsbildungswerke and rehabilitation programs; competes for the same federal rehabilitation funding pool and serves overlapping participant profiles.
• AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt) vocational and youth welfare services: Major German welfare association providing vocational integration, youth welfare, and rehabilitation services that compete for the same statutory cost-carrier funding as Rotkreuz-Institut.
• CJD Berufsbildungswerke (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands): Large nonprofit network operating vocational training, youth welfare, and education services across Germany; comparable as a multi-site BBW operator and competitor for public-sector rehabilitation contracts.

Direct peers

• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Berufsbildungswerke (BAG BBW) member institutions (e.g., BBW Waiblingen, BBW München, CJD BBW): National network of Berufsbildungswerke with which RKI is affiliated through BAG BBW; members offer the same vocational training model for youth with special needs and participate in joint events such as the German football championship.
• Berufsbildungswerk Berlin-Brandenburg (BBW Berlin-Brandenburg): Operates as a vocational training center for youth with disabilities in the same Berlin-Brandenburg region, offering comparable Berufsbildungswerk services and competing for the same Federal Employment Agency referrals as Rotkreuz-Institut.
• Berufliches Trainingszentrum (BTZ) providers nationwide (e.g., BTZ Hamburg, BTZ Köln): Specialized vocational training centers for adults re-entering employment after illness, operating under similar funding models; directly comparable to RKI's BTZ offering.
• DRK-Schulen für soziale Berufe (other German Red Cross social-professions schools): Other DRK-affiliated schools for social professions offering nursing and educator training with practical placements; directly comparable to RKI's DRK-Schule für soziale Berufe Berlin.

Emerging players

• Inklupreneur: Inclusion-focused matching platform connecting companies with skilled workers from vocational rehabilitation; overlapping partnership rather than direct competitor, but addressing the same employer-matching value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCU2RbdPMwGqZZDTuLIxtqWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/rkibbw
• Instagraminstagram.com/rotkreuz_institut_drk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rotkreuz-institut-berufsbildungswerk-im-drk-berlin-gmbh-gesundheitswesen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Rotkreuz-Institut