All across the world, people are realising the role bees play in getting food onto our tables. Australia is the 4th biggest exporter of honey in the world, and a growing fascination with bees among the wider community has made beekeeping an increasingly popular hobby.
Tocal has industry-standard publications for beekeepers, and industry-led practical training to take that knowledge into the field.
Tocal College trainers are passionate about helping beekeepers at all levels to grow in their knowledge of bees and improve their beekeeping practice for healthier bees and better quality honey and hive products. From checking your hives for pests and diseases, to re-queening your hives for beneficial behaviours, learn the skills you need from experienced trainers with years in the industry.
If you are new to beekeeping, start with our book Bee AgSkills, or do a 2-day Beginning in Bees course to get helpful hands-on training. To register your interest for a position in the Full Certificate III in Beekeeping, please view the Beekeeping certificate III page here.
The Tocal Beekeepers’ Field Day was an entirely virtual event held on Saturday 17th October 2020 streamed through Facebook and YouTube. The Tocal Beekeepers' Field Day has been running for 41 years. It is run in collaboration between the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tocal College, Amateur Beekeepers Association of NSW, Hunter Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association, Hunter Valley Branch of the NSW Apiarists Association and Wheen Bee Foundation. You can now view all recordings from the day on the Tocal College YouTube Channel.
Tocal College offers nationally accredited beekeeping courses developed and delivered by technical experts in the field of apiculture. Tocal has been offering the Certificate III in beekeeping since 2016 to both newcomers to beekeeping as well as full-time professional beekeepers.
Type: Short course
Units: 2
Beginning in bees
Get a basic knowledge of beekeeping in this two-day introductory course run by Tocal College. It’s the ideal start to help you manipulate bee hives, carry out general management, and understand how a bee colony works.
Type: Short course
Units: 3
Honey bee biosecurity
This two day course provides beekeepers with the skills to recognise, monitor and manage the impact of pests and diseases on honey bee colonies.
Type: Online
Units: TBA
Honey Bee Biosecurity - online
This course is currently in development, and will be available in 2020. The course will align with three units of competency from the new AHC31818 Certificate III in Beekeeping.
Type: Short course
Units: 1
Using bees for pollination
Is your colony strong enough to take on pollination jobs? How much will you make from pollination? And for the horticulturist, is your farm suited to pollination? How would you know? This one-day course at Tocal is for both beekeepers and horticulturists to make the most of the symbiotic benefits of using bees for large-scale pollination.
Type: Short course
Units: Non-accredited
Native bees
Want to know more about Native bees? This one-day course takes you into the fascinating world of these amazing and diverse insects. Solitary bee? Stingless bee? Learn some of the differences, which can be kept and how to care for them.
Type: Short course
Units: 1
Queen bee breeding
For the experienced beekeeper interested in expanding into queen bee breeding, this two-day course at Tocal is run by industry-respected specialists. It covers both an understanding of queen bees and how to breed them.
Bee recognised for your skills with a nationally-recognised qualification. Tocal’s Certificate III in Beekeeping will raise your skill levels in a crucial area of Australian agriculture.
Gain a nationally accredited qualification in beekeeping while you work in the Beekeeping Industry. A blend of face-to-face and online learning, Tocal's Beekeeping Traineeship is the qualification to get you recognised.
Quality books for beekeepers are available in print and digital format.
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