The HIBB was founded in January 2007 as an independent state owned management agency (“Landesbetrieb”). The institute belongs to the Hamburg Ministry of Schools and Vocational Education. It comprises all 30 vocational schools in Hamburg and the headquarters. Tasks of the headquarters include administration management, control and counseling, support and supervision of schools, the development of schools and vocational education, personnel and services as well as the staff-council public relations, strategic controlling and construction matters.
Since 2011 Hamburg has initiated and executed successful measures to increase the rate of employment for young people. These comprise counselling in General Schools, transition management and Youth Employment Advisory Services (Jugendberufsagentur Hamburg) founded in 2012.