Beekeeping Courses
Training Beekeepers for the future
Ormskirk Beekeepers provides a range of training courses tailored to suit the level of beekeeping experience. These courses and training sessions range from introductory courses for people interested in beekeeping right through to advanced beekeeping courses for the more experienced of our members.
Bees are living creatures and it is the responsibility of beekeepers to manage their colonies in a safe and healthy environment, and above all to be able to enjoy their beekeeping. These training courses enable everyone to get the maximum from their beekeeping and rise to whatever level they choose.
By and large the courses offered by the branch follow the BBKA Course in the Case (CiC) competency model which are designed to improve beekeepers knowledge and understanding of bees. A way of proving this competency is to take one or more of the BBKA's range of examinations. Full details of these, together with the syllabii are available here. Specific courses and study groups are also undertaken by the branch to assist members in taking these examinations.
Course 1 Introduction to Beekeeping Course – Tutor Martin Smith BBKA President
The complete introduction to the craft for those with no prior experience. This course comprises
- Membership of the Branch, Lancashire BKA, and the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA)
- 2 day theory course including an opportunity to inspect a hive
- 8 practical training sessions
- Priority for a new colony of bees.
This course is held once a year – Full details of next year's course together with the fees is here.
In recent years we have introduced hundreds of people to beekeeping through this course and had attendees from as far away as Cumbria, Dorset and Oxfordshire. It also provides the starting point for those whose local association does not run a course, or whose course is fully booked.
Course 2 Novice Beekeepers Course – Tutor Margaret Murdin
This course following the BBKA Yellow course in the case (CiC) will be held over 5 evening sessions based at Fir Tree Farm. This course is tailored to those members who obtained bees during the season immediately finished and are taking one or two colonies into the winter. This course will enable people to face their second beekeeping year with confidence and be relaxed with their bees.
Course 3 Preparation for the Basic Assessment – Tutors Marilyn Poole & Caroline McKenzie
Separate from this course but as a way of demonstrating basic competency in beekeeping, members are encouraged to take the BBKA Basic Assessment – a one hour practical assessment of basic beekeeping skills. In order to assist members with the syllabus a short course of 6 evenings is held every spring. The Assessment itself is in 3 parts....firstly you go through the hive with the Assessor pointing out what you see, and what you are doing and why; then you have to make a frame, and finally there is a question and answer session about bee diseases, swarming, feeding bees etc..It lasts for about an hour and a quarter and it's all covered in the course we do. The cost is £15.
This year we have 19 candidates who did this course and entered the assessment - 19 passed – well done everyone.
Course 4 Improver Beekeepers Course Tutor – Keith Hemming
This course follows the Red CiC and is aimed at members who have kept bees for 2 – 3 years, have achieved at least the basic assessment level of competence (and preferably have actually taken the assessment itself)
Course 5 – Module Preparation Group - Tutor Richard MacRae - BBKA Advanced theory Certificate.
After the Basic, there are the "Modules"...these are 7 theory exams which beekeepers take over several years, taking one or two each year.
The Modules are:
1 Honeybee Management
2 Products of the Hive
3 Diseases, Pests and Poisoning
5 Honeybee Biology
6 Honeybee Behaviour
7 Selection and Breeding of Honeybees
8 Honeybee Management, Health and History. ( there is no module 4)
Each exam is one 90 minutes long and the venue is somewhere in Lancashire.
We are hoping that some of the people who did so well with their Basic this year will think about taking Module 1 next year...it's in March.
If you are interested , why not have a look at the new BBKA website and have a look at the syllabus. Alternatively have a word with me at the next meeting and I can tell you what's involved.
A study group will guide members interested in starting on the BBKA Modules, initially concentrating on modules 1 & 2. It will meet in the evening at Fir Tree Farm and will be led by Richard MacRae
Course 6 - Proficient Beekeepers Course – Ray Dowson – Master Beekeeper.
For more experienced beekeepers who perhaps are not interested in examinations but wish to improve their knowledge of bees. This course will allow proficient beekeepers to learn more about particular topics in depth and will follow the green CiC topics. This group will be by nature a smaller number of people and the teaching will more of a round table study discussion rather than formal learning.
Course 7 - Higher Module Study Group Tutor Ian McLean NDB – ex BBKA Examinations Moderator
A group of members from Ormskirk and surrounding branches are currently working together to complete their progression through the modules. During this year this group will be studying modules 7 and 6. Members who have already obtained the earlier modules are welcome to join this small group. (Please this course is now fully subscribed). Anyone interested in registering for winter 2012 / 2013 can however contact Ian McLean)
Correspondence Courses
In addition to the guided study groups noted above, for those unable to attend a regular study group session, there is the option of studying for the BBKA modules using the correspondence course method. Full details of this are on the BBKA web site.
Course 9 - General Husbandry
The BBKA also offer practical Assessments for people who don't want to do the theory papers or who want to do both. After the Basic there is the General Husbandry Assessment. To take this you have to have kept bees for 3 years and have at least 3 honey producing colonies. Two Assessors come to your own Apiary. They look at your extracting and storage arrangements to make sure that they are clean, hygienic and you know what you are doing. You have to produce jars of soft set honey as well as your usual honey and you have to make wax blocks. Then you go through the colonies. Again the full syllabus is on the BBKA website. Any member interested in taking these should contact Ray Dowson who is arranging a one day training session for the assessment early next Spring.
National Diploma in Beekeeping
Details of the top qualification in beekeeping can be found here
We pride ourselves in our commitment to beekeeping education and welcome enquiries from all beekeepers who are interested in improving their beekeeping skills.
Course 10 – Annual Demonstrator Training Ian McLean NDB
In order that a consistently high standard is used at the apiary when demonstrating practical beekeeping, all demonstrators must have passed the basic assessment and attended the annual demonstrator refresher course. This is designed to reinforce good practical skills and impart a good teaching style in the apiary.