Germany’s ZDS confectionery college marks 70 years within the industry
The year 2020 proved a very notable one for Germany’s ZDS central college of the confectionery industry, as much as it has proved for all companies, employers and employees worldwide. The consequences of the ongoing covid crisis have also affected its academy. The organisation, which is on our editorial board, marks its 70th anniversary this month, offers a view on its upcoming activities
Due to the drop in sales at some companies and the measures required to protect employees against infection, significantly less people attended the national and international events offered by the ZDS. Against this background, we also decided not to hold our internationally very successful chocolate congress, ChocoTec 2020.
The pandemic will continue to accompany us in 2021. This can be seen, among other things, from the fact that the ISM and ProSweets trade fairs have already been cancelled – a clear sign that a “return to normality” will not happen so quickly.
Crisis as an opportunity – driving forward to a digital change
Nevertheless, we see the crisis as an opportunity at the ZDS. During this phase we have combined our forces to offer a digital learning program and to create new possibilities to make the new event content accessible.
For 2021 the course range of the ZDS is now prepared for various scenarios: Classroom courses will continue to be held in compliance with hygiene regulations, but we will also offer various courses as web-seminars and online courses or as a combination of classroom and online courses. The feedback we have received on the first digital formats is positive: the web seminars are particularly interesting for international participants, as there are no hotel or travel costs.
We have also developed a digital concept for the cancelled ChocoTec, which allows the face-to-face event to be presented as web seminar with selected topics and in a series of 5 blocs. Each bloc has a thematic focus and can be booked individually or as a complete package.
2021 does not only introduce the beginning of the transition to more digital formats, but also offers a reason to celebrate: The ZDS will celebrate its 70th anniversary
In 1951, the ZDS was founded as the “Association of the Central Technical School of the German Confectionery Industry” with the aim of promoting the training of all specialists in the confectionery industry and supporting scientific institutions in the confectionery sector.
Since its foundation, the Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft e.V. (ZDS) has been the exclusive vocational school in Germany for the training of “confectionery technologist” and also functions as a provider of further education and training and is an important educational partner for the entire international food industry.
The ZDS actively accompanies the companies in their efforts to produce high-quality and safe food and provides support for innovative product development and future-oriented technologies.
We are looking forward to celebrating this anniversary in 2021 with all participants of the confectionery industry and to surprise and express our gratitude with various activities throughout the year. For more information about the complete range of activities offered by ZDS, visit: www.zds-solingen.de/
