Z-Cademy
Building careers and shaping the future of manufacturing.
Believe in What You Build™
At Zekelman, we believe that investing in people is investing in the future of manufacturing. Z-Cademy is Zekelman’s workforce development program designed to build the skills of our teammates through hands-on training and role-focused courses. Participants don’t just walk away with new skills, they leave with greater confidence, clearer purpose and a stronger sense of pride in the work they do.
Positioned for growth.
Teammates in our Z-Cademy programs will gain:
- Industry-relevant skills developed through specialized, role-focused courses and projects
- Hands-on training that prepares teammates for real challenges on the floor and in the office
- Mentorship from experienced leaders invested in team success
- Certificates upon course completion that validate expertise and advance your career
- A clear path forward to higher earning potential, greater responsibility and long-term growth in manufacturing
Programs for every career stage.
Z-Cademy is built for Zekelman teammates who are ready to grow in a career with real momentum. Participants are nominated by their managers or recruited by our Talent team because of their drive and potential to take their careers to the next level.
Internship
Hands-on work experience, professional development, mentorship and exposure to careers across manufacturing and business functions for current college, university or Master’s level students.
Apprenticeship
Prepare entry-level technical talent for long-term careers in manufacturing and industrial maintenance through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning and on-the-job training.
Internal Upskilling
Help current teammates build new technical skills and provide structured career pathways to support workforce capability and advancement into higher-skilled positions.
Front Line Leader
Development of supervisors and people leaders across manufacturing and office environments through training in communication, business acumen, accountability and team leadership.
FORGE Plant Manager Development
FORGE (Future Operational Readiness through Growth and Execution) accelerates development of current and emerging plant leaders through executive learning, operational exposure and strategic business projects.
Building careers, not just skills.
Z-Cademy isn’t a one-time training. It’s a commitment to building careers that last, strengthening the workforce from within and empowering teammates to believe in what they build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What programs are offered through Z-Cademy?
- Skilled Trades Apprenticeships: designed to develop future maintenance, electrical, and automation professionals through classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and on-the-job training.
- Internal Upskilling Programs: designed to help current teammates develop new technical skills and advance into higher-skilled positions.
Who can participate in Z-Cademy?
Eligibility requirements and participation vary by program. Programs may be available to:
- Current teammates
- High-potential teammates
- Skilled Trade teammates
- Operators/ production
- Students
- External candidates
- Future leaders
What pathways are available through Z-Cademy?
Z-Cademy currently offers three primary technical upskilling pathways:
- Millwright / Mechanical Maintenance
- Focused on mechanical systems, troubleshooting, installation, alignment, hydraulics/pneumatics, and commissioning.
- Industrial Electrician
- Focused on industrial electrical systems, motor controls, VFDs, troubleshooting, panel wiring, and commissioning.
- PLC / Automation Technician
- Focused on PLC hardware, ladder logic, automation troubleshooting, industrial communications, HMIs, sequencing, and advanced automation architecture.
Each pathway includes progressive Tech Levels (Tech 1, Tech 2, and Tech 3) with increasing technical complexity and hands-on validation requirements.
What is the Internship Program?
The Internship Program serves as an early-career talent pipeline into full-time opportunities at Zekelman Industries. The program is designed to provide students with real-world experience while building the future workforce of Zekelman Industries. Participants receive:
- Meaningful project-based work
- Professional development
- Leadership exposure
- Mentorship
- Networking opportunities
- Career development support
What is the Internal Upskilling Program?
The Internal Upskilling Program helps current Zekelman teammates build technical skills and advance into higher-skilled maintenance, electrical, and automation roles. Participants progress through structured learning pathways that combine:
- Lab training
- On-the-job application
- Mentorship
- Skill assessments
- Capstone validation
What is the Apprenticeship Program?
The Apprenticeship Program serves as an external & Internal talent pipeline into skilled trades careers at Zekelman Industries. The program is designed to prepare participants for long-term careers in manufacturing and industrial maintenance. Participants receive:
- Technical instruction
- Hands-on learning
- Mentorship
- On-the-job training
- Career development opportunities
What is Front Line Leader Training?
Front Line Leader Training develops supervisors and people leaders across manufacturing and office environments. The program is designed to build the leadership capabilities needed to effectively lead teams, drive performance, and support teammate engagement. Participants receive:
- Leadership development
- Communication and coaching training
- Performance management skills
- Conflict resolution tools
- Peer learning opportunities
- Practical leadership application
What is FORGE?
FORGE (Future Operational Readiness through Growth and Execution) serves as Zekelman Industries’ plant manager development program, preparing current and emerging leaders for greater operational responsibility. The program is designed to strengthen business acumen, leadership effectiveness, and operational excellence while building the next generation of plant leaders. Participants receive:
- Executive-led learning
- Operational leadership development
- Cross-functional business exposure
- Mentorship from senior leaders
- Strategic project experience
- Peer networking opportunities
Where does Z-Cademy take place?
The timing, duration, and location of training vary by program. Z-Cademy programs are delivered through a combination of:
- Regional training centers
- Partner schools and colleges
- Vendor training facilities
- Zekelman manufacturing facilities
- Virtual and LMS-based learning platforms
How is the training schedule structured?
Z-Cademy uses a blended learning model that combines:
- Instructor-led lab immersion
- Hands-on simulation training
- Plant-based application
- Mentor support
- LMS reinforcement
- Capstone validation
Training alternates between lab weeks and plant application weeks to improve retention and maintain engagement. The structure is intentionally designed so participants regularly reconnect with instructors and peers throughout the program.
What does the curriculum include?
Training emphasizes real-world troubleshooting and hands-on competency validation — not just classroom instruction. Curriculum varies by pathway and tech level, but training may include:
- OSHA, PPE, and LOTO safety
- Mechanical systems
- Electrical theory
- Print reading
- Hydraulics and pneumatics
- Motor controls and VFDs
- PLC programming and troubleshooting
- Ladder logic
- Industrial communications
- Root cause analysis
- System commissioning
- Preventive and predictive maintenance
- Automation diagnostics
- Documentation standards
What are the eligibility requirements?
Internal Upskilling participants are typically:
- Current maintenance teammates
- Electrical teammates
- Maintenance helpers
- High-performing technicians already in technical roles
Internal Upskilling selection may include:
- Manager nomination or teammate interest application
- HR validation
- Aptitude testing
- Panel interview
Apprenticeship participant selection may include:
- School evaluation
- Aptitude testing
- HR and Operations interview