General information
For semi-skilled employees, the ZDS offers the advanced training course “From semi-skilled to skilled worker” (AF course).
The “From semi-skilled to skilled worker” courses are aimed at employees,
who have been working in the confectionery or food sector of a company for some time (4.5 years) but have not completed any training in the food or confectionery sector.
This course gives them the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to pass the skilled worker examination.
This training is offered by the ZDS for two specializations.
– Confectionery technologist (abbreviation: AF-S)
– Specialist for food technology (abbreviation: AF-L)
Both AF courses are certified by the Hanseatic Certification Agency in accordance with AZAV.
AF-S Further training: Confectionery technology
The 2-year advanced training in the “Confectionery Technology” specialization takes place in 4 stages. The first three parts are taught full-time for 3 weeks. In the 4th level, the course lasts 4 weeks, with the last week reserved for the final examination at the ZDS.
The content of the “Confectionery technologist” course is taught in the following areas
- Confectionery production
- Technical production and process management
- Quality assurance
- Economic and social studies
The lessons are divided into the following 12 learning fields:
| Lernfeld Nr. | Thema | Stufen |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ausbildungsbetrieb präsentieren | 1.Block |
| 2 | Roh-, Zusatz- und Hilfsstoffe prüfen und beurteilen | 3 Wochen |
| 3 | Roh-, Zusatz- und Hilfsstoffe lagern | |
| 4 | Roh-, Zusatz- und Hilfsstoffe vorbehandeln | 2. Block |
| 5 | Grundmassen, Teige und Halbfabrikate herstellen | 3 Wochen |
| 6 | Süßwaren verpacken | |
| 7 | Bonbons und Zuckerwaren herstellen | 3. Block |
| 8 | Feine Backwaren und Knabberartikel herstellen | 3 Wochen |
| 9 | Schokoladewaren und Konfekt herstellen | |
| 10 | Speiseeis herstellen | 4. Block |
| 11 | Qualität von Süßwaren sichern | 4 Wochen |
| 12 | Süßwarenprodukte entwickeln |
This part is deepened by full-day internships in the colleague’s own practice rooms.
The AF Confectionery Technology course ends with a theoretical knowledge test in the subjects of confectionery production and economics and social studies as well as a practical skills test in an area of application to be chosen (chocolate and confectionery; sweets and sugar confectionery, fine baked goods, snacks, ice cream). The examinations are carried out under the supervision of the Bergische IHK Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid on the premises of the ZDS.
AF-L Further training: Food technology
The 2-year advanced training in the “Food Technology” specialization takes place in 4 stages. All levels are taught full-time for 3 weeks.
In this course, the ZDS imparts knowledge in the following subjects to the course participants:
- Economics and business studies
- Food technology
Raw materials
Auxiliary materials
Dietetics
Conservation
Quality assurance
Hygiene
Food law - Production process
Machinery
Technical communication
Process engineering
Scientific basics
Product development
Manufacturing process
Environmental protection
Occupational safety
The practical training takes place in the respective training companies.
Funding opportunities
On presentation of a training voucher, funding is provided by the employment agencies in accordance with §81 SGB III.
In this case, the course costs amount to € 850.80 per level (AF-L) or € 1054.30 (AF-S) per level and include the costs for textbooks and the IHK examination fee of approx. € 300. There are also costs for accommodation and meals (see flyer).
