TRAINEESHIPS IN BEEKEEPING – WHERE TO NOW?
Since publishing the Competency Standards in Beekeeping, (January, 2009, p.247), The ABK has received a number of phone calls, letters and emails requesting more information about where interested people could undertake courses. The reality is that at this point in time there is no one Registered Training Organisation (RTO) which offers a Course whereby a participant can satisfy all the requirements for an Apiary Certificate. Tocal Agricultural College at Paterson does offer NSWDPI courses in Beginning in Bees, Beekeeping as a Business, and Queen Bee Breeding, and the NSWDPI are developing a course in Beekeeping Pests and Diseases. By doing all of these courses, participants would meet most of the requirements to pass the Competency Standards. There are also some TAFE institutions around the country which offer courses that meet some of the requirements – Bendigo TAFE, and OTEN for example. The principal problem in getting a full course up and running is – FUNDING. It takes money to de
