Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft, Confectionery education center in Solingen, Germany

The Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft is a training centre in Solingen-Gräfrath, housed in a building whose location is linked to the nearby Dr. Hillers company. It serves as the central training facility for the German confectionery industry, teaching the profession of confectionery technologist, which replaced the confectionery technician role on 1 August 2014. The site includes teaching rooms and practical training areas for seminars and internships.

The school was founded in 1951 and developed into Germany's central training facility for confectionery manufacturers. Over 250 companies from the food and machinery sectors supported this establishment.

The ZDS trains Süßwarentechnologen, a job title that replaced Fachkraft für Süßwarentechnik on 1 August 2014. Its seminars, conferences and internships on confectionery production draw participants from more than 30 countries each year, and the Bundesverband der Deutschen Süßwarenindustrie honours the three best graduates annually.

The ZDS is a training and seminar institution, not a public museum; its courses, seminars and internships on confectionery production draw participants from over 30 countries each year. It also runs company-specific training and test series for member firms. Visitors with a professional interest should contact the association in Solingen-Gräfrath in advance about access.

The school operates specialized laboratories for chocolate processing where students practice temperature control and precision techniques. These spaces demonstrate how advanced skills are applied in modern confectionery production.