ZDS Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft e.V.

The ZDS, founded in 1951, is the world’s most renowned training institute for all areas of the confectionery industry.

The ZDS offers training for the professions of “confectionery technologist” and “food technology specialist”. Furthermore, there are preparatory courses for the industrial master craftsman exam and the training to become a state-certified food technician. Since 2016, there has also been the option of a dual course of study to accompany training in “confectionery technologist and Bachelor of Science food technology (baking and confectionery technology)”.

The ZDS is known worldwide for its seminars. Every year, participants from more than 30 nations attend specialist conferences and internships on topics related to confectionery production. In addition, the ZDS advises companies from a wide range of countries and conducts company-specific training and test series for member companies.

The three core areas of the ZDS

The ZDS member service is made up of more than 250 member companies from the confectionery and food industry from all over the world. Each member company of the ZDS benefits from numerous advantages. From the use of ZDS technical facilities, to industrial product development support, to company-specific in-house training and consulting.

The ZDS Training & Further Education Center offers a wide range of training courses in the confectionery and food industry. Whether, for example, to become a “specialist in food technology”, a “confectionery technologist”, or an industrial foreman in the fields of confectionery technology or food technology, the ZDS is unique in this form with its range of training courses. The vocational students live during the block instruction in the collegiate vocational boarding school and are fed in the in-house canteen.

The ZDS seminar service invites participants from all over the world to further their education in a wide variety of confectionery-related areas, in short and long-term seminars, in workshops and large or small congresses. Thus, the worldwide confectionery industry meets at the ZDS. International experts, and above all the trained specialist staff of the ZDS, pass on their knowledge to the circle of participants in these seminars and thus form the basis for the innovations of the future of the global confectionery industry.

What makes the ZDS special: The equipment

Modern classrooms and lecture halls ZDS has ten classrooms with modern equipment, various conference rooms and two lecture halls. All of our classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards and some even with tablets. Both lecture halls at ZDS have modern audio and video equipment and simultaneous interpreter booths.

Superbly equipped technical labs For each confectionery area, there are specially equipped technical departments in the ZDS. Whether it is our chocolate, bakery, confectionery, dragee or ice cream department, our participants are delighted with the excellent equipment at ZDS.

In our picture gallery you will find many of the machines and equipment available in our technical departments.

to the picture gallery The Solingen-Gräfrath site: The historical pearl of the Bergisches Land region

As one of the few historic town centers in North Rhine-Westphalia, Gräfrath offers residents and visitors a wealth of attractions: Little changed since the 18th century, the early modern ensemble of market square with fountain and adjacent narrow streets is characterized by slate-clad half-timbered Bergisch houses.

A 72-step staircase leads from the village center to Klosterberg with the monastery church and former abbey, the medieval starting point of the settlement. The historic monastery building houses the German Blade Museum, which displays valuable collections of cutlery, cutlery and blank weapons from various eras and cultures, as well as the Gräfrath church treasure, a relic of the monastery’s glory days. The building of the Blade Museum also houses the Gräfrath Museum. Here the local history society documents the history of our district and its associations.

In the former Gräfrath town hall, built in 1908, the Baden Museum exhibits mainly works by Solingen artists such as Georg Meistermann and other significant collections. Art lovers can take a look at the galleries around the market.

The outskirts of Gräfrath also have a lot to offer: From the town center, the Klingenpfad leads through the Gräfrather Heide, a park-forest area, to the family-friendly Fauna animal park with 200 species of animals. From the light tower with glass dome, another fascinating landmark of Gräfrath, marked hiking trails open up the charming green landscape of the surrounding area.

Equally popular as a destination for excursions and as a place to live, Gräfrath is home to a diverse gastronomy with cafés, bistros, restaurants, hotels and a youth hostel, all looking forward to your visit. This also applies to the numerous stores, which are mainly located at the market and In der Freiheit.