Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg

What Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg does

Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg (SBBS Sonneberg) is a public state-run vocational school in Sonneberg, Thuringia, Germany, operated by Landkreis Sonneberg as Schulträger under the supervision of Staatliches Schulamt Südthüringen. Founded in 1993 in its current form, the school functions as a regional competence center (Kompetenzzentrum) for school-leaving qualifications and vocational education, serving students in the Sonneberg district with no tuition fees. It offers multiple educational pathways: Berufliches Gymnasium (university-track upper secondary), Duale Ausbildung (dual apprenticeship combining school instruction with in-company training), Fachschule (advanced vocational college), Berufsvorbereitungsjahr (pre-vocational preparatory year), and Vorschaltklasse. A specialized branch at Lauscha — the Berufsfachschule Glas Lauscha, Europe's only glassblowing school — provides 3-year training in artistic glass craftsmanship with specializations in glass design and Christmas tree ornaments, preserving a craft tradition dating to 1881.

The school's technical infrastructure includes an Industry 4.0-compatible Fachkabinett with programmable logic controllers (SPS), intelligent LOGO micro-controllers, robot cells, cameras, and sensors supporting automation technology training across 16 student workstations. In 2025 SBBS was designated one of 20 Thüringen Digital Pilotschulen (and one of only two Berufsschulen statewide), securing €200,000 in state start-up capital over a 5-year horizon to develop cross-curricular digital and media curricula. The institution operates from two campuses — the main site at Max-Planck-Str. 49 in Sonneberg and the Lauscha branch at Bahnhofstraße 56 — and provides on-site accommodation through a dormitory with 13 residential units (€65 per week). The school runs international exchange programs via Erasmus+ (Finland, Sweden, EU joint projects including EDU-Charge 4.0 with German and Czech partners), maintains MINT/STEM initiatives including hydrogen-technology activities (H2well), hosts the annual Regionale Aus- und Weiterbildungsmesse (RAM) career fair, and participates in the Deutsches Sprachdiplom program.

Financially, SBBS Sonneberg is a publicly funded institution with no commercial revenue model. Operating resources come from Landkreis Sonneberg as Schulträger, supplemented by foundation and corporate donations (e.g., NORMA-Gründerstiftung, Pneumax GmbH, VULCANIC TRIATHERM), federal program co-funding (e.g., Bundesprogramm Demokratie leben), and minor user fees from dormitory occupancy. Leadership is led by Principal Steffen Werner (OStD Schulleiter) and Deputy Elke Herrling, supported by department heads and coordinators across the vocational and gymnasium tracks. The Berufsfachschule Glas Lauscha branch is headed by Romy Steiner (Außenstellenleiterin Lauscha). The school's value proposition rests on statutory public-sector mandate, its unique monopoly on glassblower training in Europe, and modernized technical training facilities aligned to Industry 4.0 workforce demands.

Name

Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg

Legal name

Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg

Website

https://sbbs-son.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SBBS Sonneberg is a state-run vocational school in Thuringia, Germany, operated by Landkreis Sonneberg, offering dual apprenticeship, gymnasium, and pre-vocational programs. It includes Europe's only glassblowing school at Lauscha and Industry 4.0 training facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education Services

NAICS

Junior Colleges (611210), Junior Colleges (61121), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Dual training programs
• Glassblowing school
• Technical college
• Vocational gymnasium

Headquarters

HQ city

Sonneberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg is a state-run vocational education institution providing multiple accredited educational pathways including vocational gymnasium (Berufliches Gymnasium), dual apprenticeship training (Duale Ausbildung), technical college (Fachschule), pre-vocational preparatory year (BVJ), and Vorschaltklasse bridging programs. It uniquely hosts the Berufsfachschule Glas Lauscha, the only vocational glassblowing school in Europe, and operates a dormitory (Wohnheim) for residential students alongside regional vocational training outreach through the RAM trade fair.

Product overview

Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Sonneberg is a vocational education and training institution offering multiple educational pathways. The school operates as a unified institution with distinct programs including the Berufliches Gymnasium (vocational upper-secondary), Duale Ausbildung (dual apprenticeship), Fachschule (technical college), and Berufsvorbereitungsjahr (pre-vocational year). A specialized branch, the Berufsfachschule Glas Lauscha, is the only glassblowing school in Europe, offering training in artistic glass craftsmanship with specializations in glass design and Christmas tree ornaments. The school also provides student accommodation through its on-campus dormitory and hosts the annual Regionale Aus- und Weiterbildungsmesse career fair. The institution positions itself as a 'Kompetenzzentrum' (competence center) for vocational qualifications and school-leaving certificates in the Sonneberg region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berufliches Gymnasium (Vocational Gymnasium) A three-year vocational-focused gymnasium program leading to the general Abitur qualification, designed for students seeking a university entrance qualification combined with vocational orientation. Coordinated by Benedikt Bärwolf and overseen by Oberstufenleiter Christian Häusler.
• Duale Ausbildung (Dual Apprenticeship Training) Dual vocational training programs that combine classroom-based instruction at the school with workplace-based apprenticeship at partner companies, leading to recognized vocational qualifications across multiple skilled trades.
• Berufsfachschule Glas Lauscha (Vocational School for Glass Lauscha) Specialized vocational training program in glassblowing and glass craft trades, the only such vocational school in Europe, located at the Lauscha branch and managed by branch manager Romy Steiner. Targeted at aspiring glassblowers and glass craft artisans.
• Fachschule (Technical College) Advanced technical college (Fachschule) program for working professionals and career changers seeking further vocational qualification beyond initial training, supporting career advancement and professional development.
• Berufsvorbereitungsjahr BVJ (Pre-Vocational Preparatory Year) A one-year pre-vocational preparatory program (BVJ) that supports school leavers in obtaining the Hauptschulabschluss qualification and preparing for transition into vocational training.
• Vorschaltklasse (Bridging Class) A bridging/preparatory class (Vorschaltklasse) for students transitioning into vocational education pathways at the school.
• Wohnheim (School Dormitory) Residential dormitory accommodation provided on-site for students attending the school's vocational programs, particularly those traveling from outside the Sonneberg district. Priced as a separate accommodation service.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bethe-StiftungminorOthers · 1 June 2026Bergisch Gladbach-based foundation that supported the Gedenkstättenfahrt (memorial site trip) to Poland in June 2026, enabling students to visit Auschwitz and engage with themes of history and democracy.
• Bundesprogramm Demokratie lebenminorOthers · 1 June 2026Federal program 'Demokratie leben' that co-funded the Gedenkstättenfahrt to Poland, supporting democratic education and remembrance culture projects.
• NORMA-GründerstiftungminorOthers · 1 January 2025Foundation of NORMA founder Manfred Roth that made a donation for the promotion of education, social causes and culture at SBBS.
• Pneumax GmbHminorOthers · 1 December 2024Leading manufacturer of pneumatic components that donated modern training panels to SBBS Sonneberg on St. Nicholas Day.
• VULCANIC TRIATHERMminorOthers · 1 September 2024Company that sponsored a defibrillator for SBBS Sonneberg in September 2024, enhancing campus safety equipment.
• Förderverein der SBBS Sonneberg e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport association with purposes including promotion of cultural, intellectual and social welfare of students, support of educational goals, extracurricular activities, and cooperation between school and training companies. Hosts the annual RAM trade fair and provides financial support for sports days and school events.
• Landkreis SonnebergcoreOthersCounty council of Sonneberg as the Schulträger (school authority) providing institutional funding and administrative support. Supported SBBS during Digital Pilotschule application process.
• Berufsbildende Schule Ingelheim am RheinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in EU project EDU-Charge 4.0, working with SBBS Sonneberg and Střední průmyslová škola Emila Kolbena Rakovník (Czech Republic) on international technology education.
• Střední průmyslová škola Emila Kolbena RakovníkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech vocational school participating in EU project EDU-Charge 4.0 with SBBS Sonneberg and Berufsbildende Schule Ingelheim am Rhein.
• DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)minorOthersGerman Academic Exchange Service providing information and support for Erasmus+ programs that SBBS participates in for student and teacher exchanges.

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Glasfachschule Zwiesel: Another of Germany's specialized glass vocational schools (located in Bavarian Forest), competing in the same niche glassblowing/glass design training market as Berufsfachschule Glas Lauscha. Highly comparable in mission, student profile, and craft focus.
• Berufskolleg Technik Siegen: German vocational school offering dual apprenticeship and technical college programs comparable to SBBS Sonneberg's Fachschule and Duale Ausbildung tracks, with similar Industry 4.0 / automation training emphasis.

Regional players

• Staatliche Berufsbildende Schulen Arnstadt/Ilmenau: Other state Berufsbildende Schulen in Thuringia offering similar multi-track vocational programs (Berufliches Gymnasium, Duale Ausbildung, Fachschule). Comparable in public funding model and program mix, but operates in a different Thuringia district.
• Staatliche Berufsbildende Schule Gotha: Another state Berufsbildende Schule in Thuringia offering similar portfolio of Berufliches Gymnasium, dual training, and Fachschule programs. Closely comparable structurally, serving an adjacent Thuringia district.

Broad incumbents

• Heinz Nixdorf Berufskolleg: Large vocational school in North Rhine-Westphalia known for Industry 4.0 / digitalization focus and STEM emphasis. Comparable in technology-oriented vocational training mission, though larger and operating in a different state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/staatliche-berufsbildende-schule-sonneberg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 →

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