Program Overview
The New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) is an online program with block courses that teaches students about beekeeping practices. It covers topics like bee behavior, hive management, honey extraction, and disease recognition. Graduates are prepared for careers as assistant beekeepers, independent beekeepers, or entrepreneurs in the apiculture industry. The program emphasizes practical experience and encourages collaboration with commercial apiarists.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This program, the New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3), is designed to equip students with the skills and confidence to manage their own beehives. It provides a comprehensive understanding of beekeeping practices, including bee behavior, hive management, honey extraction, and disease recognition. The program aims to prepare students for careers in the apiculture industry, either as assistant beekeepers, independent beekeepers, or entrepreneurs.
Outline:
The program is delivered online with block courses held in various locations throughout New Zealand. The block courses typically involve two weekend days per month (from 9.00am-5.00pm each day) for eight months.
Modules:
The program covers the following topics:
- Bee behavior and life cycle: Students learn about the biology and behavior of honeybees, including their social structure, communication, and life cycle.
- Suitable bee forage plants: Students gain knowledge about the types of plants that provide nectar and pollen for bees, ensuring optimal hive health and honey production.
- Beekeeping equipment: Students learn about the various tools and equipment used in beekeeping, including hive components, protective gear, and honey extraction tools.
- Building a beehive: Students gain practical experience in constructing beehives, understanding the different types of hives and their construction techniques.
- Beehive products: Students explore the various products derived from beehives, including honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly.
- Manipulating beehives: Students learn techniques for managing beehives, including swarm control, dividing hives, and re-queening.
- Harvesting and extracting honey: Students gain practical experience in harvesting honey from beehives and using various methods for extracting honey.
- Identifying and managing pests and diseases: Students learn to identify common pests and diseases affecting bee colonies and implement appropriate management strategies.
- Wintering beehives: Students learn about the challenges of managing beehives during winter and strategies for ensuring hive survival.
Assessment:
The program includes a variety of assessment methods, including:
- 12 assessments: These assessments are a mix of theory and practical components, evaluating students' understanding of beekeeping concepts and their ability to apply those concepts in real-world situations.
- One-day, industry-recognised bee disease workshop: This workshop provides students with practical training in identifying and managing bee diseases, including American Foulbrood (AFB). A short test is administered at the end of the workshop to assess students' knowledge.
Careers:
Graduates of this program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the apiculture industry, including:
- Assistant beekeeper: Working for commercial beekeeping operations, assisting with hive management, honey extraction, and other tasks.
- Independent beekeeper: Managing their own beehives, producing honey and other beehive products for sale.
- Entrepreneurship: Starting their own beekeeping business, potentially specializing in specific products or services.
Other:
The program emphasizes the importance of practical experience and encourages students to work with commercial apiarists in their local area. Students also have the opportunity to complete an American Foulbrood (AFB) disease recognition course, which is a valuable qualification for beekeepers.
Domestic fees Full tuition Standard $1,451 Additional costs One kitset beehive Three textbooks AFB course Approximate cost = $500
