• You want to become a Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Beekeeper.
• You want to work in the Beekeeping Industry or get into beekeeping as a hobby.

Then this is the course for you.

To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must: 

• Have an interest in beekeeping.
• Enjoy practical / manual work.
• Enjoy nature and outdoors.
• Demonstrate good communication skills.
• Show your ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Be able to cope with varied weather conditions outdoor (e.g., heat, rain, cold, wind).
• Be able to cope with nature (e.g., insects).
• Demonstrate your ability to follow Work Health and Safety procedures and respond to immediate safety risks. 

This introductory course aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to assemble and set up a hive, use equipment such as a smoker, inspect for pests and diseases, remove the honey crop from the hive and working safely.

Time Commitment – You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research and complete assessment requirements. 

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication - Interact with people from different backgrounds, share ideas effectively and build trust.
• Teamwork – Collaborate with others, show them respect, and be open to feedback.
• Problem Solving - There is always a solution. How do you respond to a challenge? If you spot a problem, we encourage you to ask questions, clarify as needed, and respond appropriately within your training.
• Initiative - Stay motivated, take proactive steps, and seek help when necessary.
• Planning - Manage time well. Knowing how to prioritise and completing your tasks efficiently are crucial for your success.
• Self-Management - Reflect on your performance. Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and success as a student at South Regional TAFE. Being a professional in the workplace can mean learning when to accept responsibility for your failures as often as your successes. This is how we learn!
• Learning – Recognise what your strengths already are. Then embrace all the new knowledge and experience from your South Regional TAFE journey to grow as a student. Some of the skills you will learn include:
  • Assemble and maintain a beehive and beekeeping components
  • Use a bee smoker
  • Work with bees safely
  • Remove honey crop from a hive
  • Inspect and manage pests and disease
• Technology - Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.