Trainees in orange high-visibility workwear during hands-on training on overhead contact line equipment

ZECK Academy

Training center · Schesslitz

ZECK
Academy.

Training for overhead line construction and rail technology. Theory and practice: combined.

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2011First courses2022 opening of the Academy with testing area and railway track
> 2,300Participantsper yearas of 2025
23NationsParticipants from all over Europe and beyond
180 mOwn railway trackStandard and metre gauge

ZECK Academy

Theory and practice: combined.

Efficient and safe acting during stringing operations is a defining factor in the success of your projects. Trained expert personnel is decisive. During our training programs, your staff learns to safely and competently take full advantage of the potential and performance of your ZECK machines, contributing sustainably to your success.

We have been training specialists since 2011; in 2025 there were more than 2,300 participants on over 250 training days. Training takes place at our training center in Scheßlitz near Bamberg, on our testing area with tower and our own railway track, or directly at your site. Every course meets the requirements for an instruction under DGUV Regulation 1 and ends with a certificate and an entry in the safety passport.

Legal basis

Training
A training at ZECK Academy contains all legally required components of an instruction in a machine group as well as a technical troubleshooting and conveys profound expert and background knowledge regarding the application of equipment. Successful participation is verified by a certificate, including an entry in the safety passport.
Duty of care of the company
Every employer provides their employees with tools and machines so they are able to perform their work. This work equipment must be in technically safe working order. Employees must be informed about potential dangers during use and trained in the safe handling of the equipment. This applies to all work equipment of the company as well as rental machines.
Realisation of training | instruction
The employer who has charged their employees with the execution of a task must ensure that the respective persons are appropriately and expertly trained or instructed. In Germany, the current accident prevention regulations of the DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance) demand an instruction of employees at least once a year.
ISO 9001
Certified training programme – in order to meet the highest quality demands of our customers and trainees. For this reason, we continuously check, develop and improve our training measures.

ZECK Academy team

Our team.

Philipp Bächmann
Head of Academy
Andreas Siewert
Technical Trainer
Christopher Keller
Technical Trainer
Robert Herold
Technical Trainer
Theresa Schneider
Office Manager

Training courses

Our
courses.

Choose the area and filter by machine / accessory, target group or training type. “All details” shows the objective, contents and organisational details of each course.

8 courses

Operator Training: Puller-Tensioner
Overhead lines
Operator Training: Puller-Tensioner
Duration
2 days
Participants
6–10 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
30 / 70 %
Price
on request
Objective
Acquisition of technical knowledge and practical competences for working with ZECK stringing machines. The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Machine operators
Career changers
Trainees
Theory
Structure of the machines
Operating elements and machine functions
Positioning, anchoring & grounding of machines
Calculation of forces
Forces applied onto technical equipment
Accident prevention and occupational safety
Practice
Positioning of machine (rule of 5° rope deviation)
Installation of drum stands and reel winders
Positioning the rope (left- and right-hand-lay rope)
Machine operation
Troubleshooting in case of failure
Note
Work clothing and personal protective equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
Operator Training for Drum Winch
Overhead lines
Operator Training for Drum Winch
Duration
1/2 day
Participants
6–10 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
30 / 70 %
Price
on request
Objective
Acquisition of basic knowledge and expertise in operating the ZECK drum winches. The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Machine operators
Career changers
Trainees
Tower climbers
Theory
Structure of the machines
Operating elements and machine functions
Positioning, anchoring & grounding of machines
Forces applied onto technical equipment
Accident prevention and occupational safety
Practice
Positioning the machines
Operating the machines
Troubleshooting in case of malfunction
Accident prevention and occupational safety
Rope replacement and correct adjustment of rope spooling
Note
Work clothing and personal protective equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
Operator Training for Line Cars
Overhead lines
Operator Training for Line Cars
Duration
1 day
Participants
6–8 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
20 / 80 %
Price
on request
Objective
Acquisition of basic knowledge and practical skills in operating ZECK line cars. The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Machine operators
Career changers
Trainees
Tower climbers
Site managers
Theory
Structure and components of a line car
Operating elements and machine functions
Using the lifting device
Accident prevention and occupational safety
Practice
Safe handling and correct installation of line car on conductors
Practical operation of line car in testing area including crossing of suspension set
Rescue from the line car
Note
Work clothing and personal fall protection equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
Operator Training for Pulling Robots
Overhead lines
Operator Training for Pulling Robots
Duration
1/2 day
Participants
6–10 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
30 / 70 %
Price
on request
Objective
Acquisition of basic knowledge and practical skills in operating the ZECK pulling robot. The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Machine operators
Career changers
Trainees
Site managers
Theory
Operating elements and machine functions
Accident prevention and occupational safety
Structure and components of a pulling robot
Practice
Safe handling and correct installation of pulling robot on conductors
Correct use of cradle blocks, recovering device and line tensioner
Correct battery change
Operating the pulling robot in the testing area
Note
Work clothing and personal fall protection equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
Safety Training for Construction Inspectors and Safety Specialists
Overhead lines
Safety Training for Construction Inspectors and Safety Specialists
Duration
3 days
Participants
6–12 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
60 / 40 %
Price
on request
Objective
Acquisition of basic knowledge and expertise in accident prevention and occupational safety when handling ZECK machines (puller-tensioner, drum winch, line car). The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Construction inspectors
Safety specialists
Theory
Correct control of safety regulations during positioning, anchoring and grounding of machines under observation of applied forces on technical equipment
Positioning of machine (rule of 5° rope deviation for the prevention of birdcaging)
Danger zones at puller and tensioner site
Validity of CE marking according to accident prevention and occupational safety
Calculation of critical values accident analysis
Practice
Identification and assessment of danger zones at the machine site
Induction to safety devices of machines (puller-tensioner, drum winch, line car)
Note
Work clothing and personal fall protection equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
Tower Erection with Gin Poles and Drum Winches
Overhead lines
Tower Erection with Gin Poles and Drum Winches
Duration
2 days
Participants
6–12 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
30 / 70 %
Price
on request
Objective
Acquisition of basic knowledge and expertise in tower erection with gin poles using ZECK drum winches. The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Machine operators
Site managers
Theory
Methods of gin pole erection
Use and types of gin poles
Design of the technical equipment
Tower and gin pole calculations
Accident prevention and occupational safety
Practice
Positioning and anchoring the machines
Erecting the first level with a gin pole winch
Attaching the spider and the basket
Raising the gin pole to assemble the second section
Note
Work clothing and personal fall protection equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
Planning and Stringing Operations in Proximity to Live Lines
Overhead lines
Planning and Stringing Operations in Proximity to Live Lines
Duration
1 day
Participants
6–12 participants
Dates
on request
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
80 / 20 %
Price
on request
Objective
Gaining basic knowledge and expertise about stringing operations in proximity to live parts and system components. The successful participation is confirmed by a certificate.
Target group
Engineers
Site managers
Grid operator specialists
Theory
Planning of the stringing operation (work and time calculation)
Basic knowledge (voltage level, minimal and safety distances, ground fault, distances for working under live lines, step potential, grounding resistance)
Special features of the OPGW, OPPC installation and stringing operation of LWL lines
Installation methods (twin-line system, tri-line system)
Calculating the number of cradle blocks & synthetic fiber ropes (including application examples)
Calculating ropes
Alternatives to the default procedure
Accident prevention & occupational safety
Practice
Safe handling and correct installation of pulling robot on conductors
Correct use of cradle blocks, recovering device and line tensioner
Correct battery change
Operating the pulling robot in the testing area
Note
Work clothing and personal fall protection equipment are required for the practical training.
Enquire about training
IHK-Fachkraft Freileitungsmonteur/in
Dates and registration via IHK Erfurt – Course and requirements: IHK-Fachkraft Freileitungsmonteur/in
Customised training
For a target-oriented training of your staff, it is possible to combine different trainings according to your needs and projects. Upon request, we develop in cooperation with you individual training programs for your expert personnel.
Enquire: Customised training

Training takes place on our own railway track at the ZECK training centre in Scheßlitz.

Introduction to overhead contact lines – work processes and best practices
Next date
26.–30.04.2027CW 17
Overhead contact lines
Introduction to overhead contact lines – work processes and best practices
Duration
5 days
Participants
8–12 participants
Dates
26.–30.04.2027
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
30 / 70 %
Objective
Training in the installation, maintenance and monitoring of overhead contact lines.
Target group
Local transport operators
Content
Basic knowledge of overhead contact line materials and connections
Types of overhead contact lines
Tools and aids
Structure of a flat catenary, including materials
Five safety rules
Testing and correct earthing of overhead contact line installations
Machine technology, special vehicles
Note
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for the practical training: helmet, gloves, safety shoes and high-visibility clothing.
Enquire about training
Maintenance and monitoring of overhead contact lines
Next date
27.09.–01.10.2027CW 39
Overhead contact lines
Maintenance and monitoring of overhead contact lines
Duration
5 days
Participants
8–12 participants
Dates
27.09.–01.10.2027
Location
ZECK Academy
Theory / Practice
30 / 70 %
Objective
Training in the installation, maintenance and monitoring of overhead contact lines.
Target group
Local transport operators
Content
Carrying out maintenance on overhead contact line installations in local transport
Implementing maintenance measures
Different types of wall fixings and their inspection
Adjustment, functions and overhaul of tensioning devices
Special designs and temporary overhead contact lines
Structure of a high catenary overhead contact line
Note
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for the practical training: helmet, gloves, safety shoes and high-visibility clothing.
Enquire about training
Customised training
For a target-oriented training of your staff, it is possible to combine different trainings according to your needs and projects. Upon request, we develop in cooperation with you individual training programs for your expert personnel.
Enquire: Customised training

Preparing for training

Training
information.

The Academy team can answer questions about your training.

What equipment do I need?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for all practical training: helmet, gloves, safety shoes and high-visibility clothing. The line car operator training also requires personal fall protection equipment, i.e. a climbing harness. For the safety workshop, you are welcome to bring your own climbing harness if you have one, but it is not required.

Is participation certified?

Successful participation in ZECK overhead line training is confirmed by a certificate and an entry in the safety passport. For the IHK certificate course, the information provided by IHK Erfurt applies.

Cooperation with IHK Erfurt

IHK-Fachkraft Freileitungsmonteur/in

ZECK is an official cooperation partner of IHK Erfurt for the certificate course IHK-Fachkraft Freileitungsmonteur/in. The aim is to develop practical experience and improve safety and quality when working on the high-voltage overhead line network.

Stringing module: ZECK training center
Dates and registration via IHK Erfurt

Information and registration at IHK Erfurt

Insights into the Academy

Center of Excellence

Advanced “Center of Excellence” Training in Cooperation with SPIE SAG GmbH

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Training enquiry

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a training.

Choose the courses you need and tell us your preferred date. We will then agree dates and prices with you.

Hands-on exercise on an overhead contact line above railway tracks

Training center

Welcome to the ZECK Academy.

Training center address

ZECK Academy Columba-Schonath-Str. 8 96110 Schesslitz, Germany

Contact

Questions about training?

Call us or send us an email. We look forward to your enquiry.

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Open 2024 brochure (PDF, German)

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ZECKAcademy.

ZECK Academy in figures

Theory and practice: combined.

Training

Duty of care of the company

Realisation of training | instruction

ISO 9001

Our team.

Philipp Bächmann

Andreas Siewert

Christopher Keller

Robert Herold

Theresa Schneider

Ourcourses.

Operator Training: Puller-Tensioner

Operator Training for Drum Winch

Operator Training for Line Cars

Operator Training for Pulling Robots

Safety Training for Construction Inspectors and Safety Specialists

Tower Erection with Gin Poles and Drum Winches

Planning and Stringing Operations in Proximity to Live Lines

IHK-Fachkraft Freileitungsmonteur/in

Customised training

Introduction to overhead contact lines – work processes and best practices

Maintenance and monitoring of overhead contact lines

Customised training

Traininginformation.

IHK-Fachkraft Freileitungsmonteur/in

Target group

Required

Recommended

Stringing module · ZECK training center

Center of Excellence

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Welcome to the ZECK Academy.

Questions about training?

ZECK Academy – training brochure

ZECK Academy in pictures.

ZECK
Academy.

Our
courses.

Training
information.

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a training.