Berufskolleg / Vocational School - referenzen.frehner-consulting.de

The ZDS in Solingen:
the story of a good idea
13
The story of the ZDS
With the increasing mechanisation at
the end of the 19th century, the confectionery
sector too saw the emergence of
numerous companies who produced
larger quantities of chocolate, biscuits
and sugar confectionery by machine.
Technical development led to work processes
which soon differed clearly from
the original activities of the trade.
As early as 1877, the chocolate manufacturers
got together in an initial interest
group. In the year 1901, Otto Rüger
– chairman of the ”Association of German
Chocolate Manufacturers” – found
that it was necessary to train young
people in the confectionery industry
specifically and according to industrial
requirements. What Rüger had in mind
was a central ”teaching factory” which
should be at the disposal of the entire
confectionery industry. Training apprentices
centrally would have the advantage
of imparting the same level of theoretical
and practical knowledge to all
prospective specialist staff. Such was his
vision.
By the time this became reality, quite
a few years were to pass. Finally on
28 January 1951, the ”Association of
the Central College of the German Confectionery
Industry” was founded in
Dortmund. 164 companies had got
together spontaneously as founder members.
These clarified questions of organisation,
drew up educational and
financial plans and started negotiations
with twelve towns as to the location. The
decision went to Gräfrath in Solingen.
A suitable site of 10,000 sq.m. was purchased.
In a ceremony on 18 September 1952, the
foundation stone for the first new school
building was laid; and on 16 January
1954, the school was officially opened.
The first headmaster was Heinz Leder,
bachelor of commerce, who had himself
played an intensive part in creating
the school.