Qualified employees are in short supply in many sectors: for about 80 % of German companies it is difficult to find suitable specialists. Therefore, the companies in the confectionery industry secure their need for skilled workers by offering a wide range of in-company training positions in various professions.

In order to develop the existing programme, the ZDS – Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft (Central College of the German Confectionery Industry) has been offering a dual course of study together with the University of Applied Sciences Ostwestfalen-Lippe and the Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences since 2016/17. The dual study programme in food technology is offered here with a specialization in “Bakery and Confectionery”, which is considered as a very good qualification for industry-related employment.

From 2021, the ZDS will offer the dual study programme with another cooperation partner: with the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, interested young people now have another location at their disposal where they can combine vocational training at the ZDS with a degree in food science.

Thanks to the excellent cooperation between the partners, various seminars and certificate courses have already been offered in the past, such as a training course at the ZDS for students of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Food Science to introduce them to the production of baked goods and chocolate. More up-to-date information about the school and about news from the continuing education and seminar sector can be found on the ZDS website.