Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB)

The Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Hamburger Institut fur Berufliche Bildung, HIBB) is a state-owned company established in 2007 under the Hamburg Authority for Schools, Family and Vocational Training. As the only institution of its kind in Germany dedicated to coordinating vocational education at the city-state level, HIBB oversees 29 public vocational schools serving approximately 45,300 students and employing around 2,900 teachers. The Institute governs an extensive range of programmes covering preparation for vocational training, dual and school-based apprenticeships, qualification routes to higher education, and continuing vocational education. HIBB works closely with businesses, chambers, and social partners to ensure training content reflects current labour market needs across Hamburg’s 240 recognised occupational fields. The Institute’s quality assurance framework includes QZE certification and full AZAV accreditation aligned with ISO 9001 standards. HIBB also holds considerable international expertise through the TVET Hamburg initiative, offering consulting and training programmes for governments and institutions around the world seeking to adopt Germany’s dual vocational system. The Institute provides career guidance, transition support, and inclusion-focused programmes to help young people and adults successfully enter and progress in the workforce.