New Zealand Apprenticeship in Apiculture
Level 3 and Level 4
Overview
Level of study
Level 3 and Level 4
Cost (incl GST)
$2,404.65*
Length
20 months. Start anytime. 3-5 day block course each year.
Prerequisites
Learners must be employed in the sector.
* Programme part of Government’s Free Trades Training initiative which may mean a subsidised price.
Summary
This comprehensive programme is for people in the commercial apiculture industry who need the skills and knowledge in everything from the fundamentals of beekeeping, to managing a viable business.
Graduates of this programme can work independently or in commercial operations in a variety of roles.
This programme takes 20 months to complete, learners can start anytime and will be required to attend a 3-5 day block course each year.
Learning outcomes
Year 1
At the end of this programme, graduates will be capable of working under limited supervision with responsibility for work outcomes, and will be able to:
- understand the bee lifecycle
- carry out wintering down of bee hives
- understand bee feed requirements, assess the hives and feed bees
- extract honey and carry out honey harvesting
- understand which plants provide feed for bees and harvest declarations
- understand how to re-queen a beehive
- understand swarming and how to unite and divide beehives
- construct and repair beehives
- transport beehives
- understand endemic bee pests and diseases
- carry out apiary pest and disease management plans.
Year 2
At the end of this programme, graduates will have the capability to be responsible for the following work outcomes and will be able to:
- implement and monitor a seasonal beehive management plan
- implement and monitor a beehive nutritional management plan
- describe nutritional requirements and feeding regimes
- understand the role of bees in pollination
- understand the role of flowering plants
- understand significant exotic bees, diseases, disorders, pests and bee management practices
- implement and monitor a bee disease management plan
- understand the production processes for beehive products
- implement and monitor food safety procedures
- analyse beehive management and make recommended improvements
- analyse pest and disease management plans and recommend improvements.
