Ever wonder where Hamburg’s future business leaders get their start? Right here at the Berufliche Schule für Wirtschaft. This isn’t just any school. It’s a place steeped in history.
The Berufliche Schule für Wirtschaft has roots stretching back to 1838. A decision was made to create a Gewerbeschule by the Magistrate of Harburg. It officially began in 1840. The first school in Harburg was just for handicraft apprentices. Its initial location was likely in today’s Blohmstraße.
By 1865, a school with both commercial and trade departments was founded. This was a significant step. Later, in 1869, Harburg required trade apprentices to attend a continuation school. This school was the Fr. Schmidt Foundation.
In 1902, a new school building opened on Bennigsenstraße. World War I delayed the implementation of compulsory further education. The new constitution of the German Reich mandated vocational schooling for everyone under 18 in 1919. This included female workers. A girls’ vocational school opened in the Bennigsenstraße building. It had domestic, commercial and trade departments. Girls had to attend for three or four years.
Heinrich Laküch became head of the boys’ vocational school in 1928. Maria Hagelberg became the first female director of the girls’ vocational school. A school for childcare workers opened in 1929.
During the Nazi era, a women’s vocational school for domestic workers was established. Jewish students were banned from public schools after the November pogroms in 1938. World War II brought massive restrictions to vocational schooling in 1941. Student numbers decreased.
In 1943, the Bennigsenstraße building suffered damage from bombs. By 1944, the school building housed bombing victims and homeless people. A major attack destroyed the schoolhouse and killed many including the director Maria Hagelberg.
The school moved to the former Real-Gymnasium in 1945. Schooling resumed with a childcare class. Coal shortages briefly suspended classes in 1947. Reconstruction of the Bennigsenstraße building started in 1949.
In 1953, the schools split into the Gewerbliche Berufsschule Harburg and Kaufmännische Berufsschule.
Fast forward to 2016. The Staatliche Handelsschule mit beruflichem Gymnasium Harburg and Staatliche Schule Sozialpädagogik Harburg merged. They became the Berufliche Schule Hamburg-Harburg at the Göhlbachtal site.
The Berufliche Schule für Wirtschaft continues to evolve. Today, it stands as a testament to Hamburg’s commitment to education and economic development.