New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) - ONLINE
Program Overview
This online New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) equips students with the knowledge and skills to work as assistant beekeepers or within the apiculture industry. Through a combination of theoretical and practical learning, students gain expertise in bee biology, hive management, honey production, and disease control. The program is flexible, allowing students to complete the coursework at their own pace within a 36-week timeframe.
Program Outline
Outline:
New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) - ONLINE
Overview:
This program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work safely and effectively as an assistant beekeeper or within the broader apiculture industry. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, students will learn about bee biology, hive management, honey production, and disease control.
- Acquire the practical skills required to maintain, manipulate, and operate beehives.
- Gain knowledge of bee health management and disease control measures.
- Prepare students for employment opportunities as assistant beekeepers or within the apiculture industry.
Program Content:
The program consists of eleven individual modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of apiculture. Modules cover topics such as:
- Module 1: Bees and their habitat: Students will gain a fundamental understanding of bee anatomy, behavior, and the various environments in which bees thrive.
- Module 3: Requeening: Students will learn about the importance of queen bees in a colony, the process of requeening, and the techniques involved.
- Module 5: Bee and Hive health: Students will learn about common bee diseases and pests, as well as methods for maintaining hive health and implementing preventative measures.
- Module 6: Bee Feeding: This module covers various feeding methods and strategies used to support bee colonies during times of scarcity or nutritional needs.
- Module 7: Construct a beehive: Students will gain the practical skills and knowledge to build their own beehive, ensuring it meets industry standards and provides a suitable environment for bees.
- Module 8: Describe apicultural equipment and their purpose: This module introduces students to a range of equipment used in apiculture, explaining their functions and proper applications.
- Module 10: Work a hive over a beekeeping season: This module provides a comprehensive overview of the tasks and responsibilities involved in managing a beehive throughout a full season.
Course Schedule:
The program is delivered over a period of 36 weeks, with students able to complete the coursework at their own pace within the timeframe. The course schedule is flexible, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.
Structure:
The program consists of a blend of online learning materials, including video lectures, interactive exercises, and readings, and practical assessments. Students are required to demonstrate their understanding and skills through a combination of written assignments, video recordings of practical tasks, and online quizzes.
Individual Module Descriptions:
- Module 1: Bees and their habitat: Students will explore bee anatomy, social structure, foraging behavior, and the importance of habitat conservation.
- Module 3: Requeening: Students will learn about queen selection, introduction methods, and the importance of requeening for maintaining healthy and productive colonies.
- Module 5: Bee and Hive health: Students will explore common bee diseases and pests, including Varroa mite and American Foulbrood, and methods for prevention and control.
- Module 7: Construct a beehive: Students will learn the essential components of a beehive, gain practical skills in constructing their own hive, and understand industry standards for hive construction.
- Module 8: Describe apicultural equipment and their purpose: This module introduces students to a variety of equipment used in apiculture, including protective gear, hive tools, and honey handling equipment.
- Module 10: Work a hive over a beekeeping season: This module covers the various tasks and responsibilities involved in managing a beehive throughout the year, including inspections, swarm management, and honey harvesting.
- Students are required to have access to at least a dozen established hives to complete the practical assessments.
- Required equipment and materials include a beesuit, smoker, gloves, hive tools, and a hive kitset.
- Students must also have access to a computer with internet access and a camera/phone for video recording.
Assessment: Students are assessed through a combination of:
- Written assignments: Students will complete written assignments on various topics related to apiculture, demonstrating their understanding of concepts and ability to apply knowledge.
- Practical assessments: Students will record videos demonstrating their practical skills in handling bees, manipulating hives, and completing other apiculture tasks.
- Online quizzes: Students will participate in online quizzes to assess their knowledge and understanding of key concepts presented throughout the program.
Assessment Criteria:
Assessments are graded based on the following criteria:
- Accuracy: Students must demonstrate a correct understanding of the concepts and principles
- Completeness: All required tasks and assessments must be completed satisfactorily.
- Communication: Students must present their work in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
- Practical skills: Students must demonstrate competency in the practical skills required for working with bees and managing hives.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and preferences. These methods include:
- Online lectures: Video lectures delivered by experienced蜂業专家介绍主要概念并提供深入的解释。
- Interactive exercises: Students engage in interactive activities, quizzes, and simulations to reinforce their understanding of concepts.
- Readings: Students are provided with assigned readings from industry publications, textbooks, and research articles to supplement their learning.
- Online forums: Students can engage in online discussions with classmates, instructors, and industry experts to ask questions, share experiences, and enhance their learning.
Faculty:
The program is taught by experienced and qualified instructors who are actively involved in the apiculture industry. Instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the program, ensuring students receive a comprehensive and industry-relevant education.
Unique Approaches:
The program includes several unique approaches to enhance the learning experience:
- Virtual beehive simulations: Students can interact with virtual beehives to practice hive management techniques and gain a deeper understanding of bee behavior.
- Guest lectures from industry experts: Students have the opportunity to learn from guest lectures presented by leading figures in the apiculture industry.
- Mentorship program: Students are paired with experienced beekeepers who provide guidance and support throughout the program.
Careers:
Career Paths:
Graduates of the program can pursue various career paths within the apiculture industry, including:
- Assistant beekeeper: Assisting experienced beekeepers in managing apiaries, performing hive inspections, and harvesting honey.
- Commercial beekeeper: Establishing and managing their own commercial apiary, producing honey and other bee products for sale.
- Beekeeping equipment supplier: Selling beekeeping equipment and supplies to beekeepers and enthusiasts.
Career Opportunities:
The apiculture industry offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge.
- This program is open to returning students only. New students can enroll in the new program NZ Cert Apiculture (Level 3).
- Students are strongly encouraged to connect with a local beekeeping club or group or find a local beekeeper to provide mentorship and support.
- Students are responsible for taking necessary safety precautions while studying the program.
Textbooks:
The program requires three textbooks:
- Practical Beekeeping in New Zealand – Matheson & Reid
- Elimination of American Foulbrood Disease without the use of Drugs – Goodwin
- Control of Varroa – A guide for New Zealand Beekeepers – Goodwin & Taylor
Direct Material Costs:
Direct material costs include the following resources and equipment:
- Beesuit, smoker, gloves, and hive tool
- Hive kitset (to construct a hive)
- 3 prescribed textbooks
Suggested Courses:
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 3)
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) (Companion Animal Healthcare)
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) (Rural Animal Healthcare)
Entry Requirements:
- Returning students only - This program is offered exclusively to students who have previously enrolled in it. New students can consider the NZ Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) instead.
- Direct Material Costs: Students will be responsible for acquiring the following materials and equipment before commencing the program:
- Beekeeping Equipment:
- Beesuit
- Smoker
- Gloves
- Hive tool
- Hive Construction Materials:
- Hive kitset
- Required Textbooks:
- Practical Beekeeping in New Zealand – Matheson & Reid
- Elimination of American Foulbrood Disease without the use of Drugs – Goodwin
- Camera/Phone with Recording Capability: Students need to be able to capture and upload video evidence of their work for various assessments.
- Honey Extraction Equipment: Access to a commercial honey extraction facility is required.
- Plants and Flowers: Access to plant materials is needed for specific assessments.
- Sturdy Footwear
- Additional Equipment:
- Wiring board
- Wax embedder
- Hammer
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Screwdriver bits
- Paint and tools for painting
- Wax dipper or wax for boxes
- Caged queen or queen cell (incubator if using a queen cell)
- Trailer or ute with tiedowns
- Sugar syrup
- Box of capped honey
- Manual extractor
- Hot knife
- Buckets
- Filters
- Labels
- Pattles
- Capping scratches
- Wax processing
- Transportation: Students are responsible for arranging and funding their own transportation to attend the mandatory AFB course.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English Language Proficiency:
- Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not completed their primary and secondary education in English, must demonstrate their English proficiency by providing evidence of achieving one of the following:
- NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance:
- International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A Level qualification: Instruction and assessment for these programs must have been conducted in English.
- Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL).
- Successful Completion of Primary and Secondary Education (Equivalent to NZ Years 1-13) in English-speaking Countries: This applies to applicants from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Successful Completion of Secondary Education (Equivalent to NZ Years 9-13) in English-speaking Countries: This applies to applicants from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Successful Completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree, or Doctoral Degree: The language of instruction for the degree must be English, and the institution must be located in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
- Internationally Recognized Proficiency Test Scores: Applicants can submit scores from recognized English proficiency tests to demonstrate their language skills. The required score will vary depending on the specific test and the program of study. Acceptable tests include:
- IELTS General or Academic: Score of 5 with no band score lower than 5
- TOEFL Paper Based Test (pBT): Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE)
- TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT): Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14)
- Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools: Score of 154 with no less than 154 in each skill.
- OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
- NZCEL - Expiring Level or Current Level:
- Expiring Level 3 (General) or (Workplace)
- Current Level 3 (General)
Please note:
The English language proficiency requirement must have been met within two years of the proposed enrolment date.
- American Foulbrood (AFB) Course:
- All students are required to complete an accredited American Foulbrood (AFB) recognition and destruction course.
- The course fee will be covered by SIT.
- Connection with Beekeeping Groups: It is strongly recommended that students connect with local beekeeping clubs or groups or find a local beekeeper to act as a mentor during their studies.
- Safety Precautions: Students are responsible for taking all necessary safety precautions while working with bees and carrying out their studies.
Summary:
This program requires students to demonstrate a basic understanding of beekeeping, have access to working hives and beekeeping equipment, and fulfill specific English language requirements. Students also need to complete an accredited AFB course and take all necessary safety precautions.
