About this course

Due to the NSW DPI Emergency Response for Varroa, all Tocal College face-to-face beekeeping skills training has been postponed until further notice.

Gain a nationally-accredited beekeeping qualification while you earn money keeping bees. A blend of face-to-face and online learning, Tocal’s beekeeping traineeship is the qualification to get you recognised.

The beekeeping traineeship enables students to gain nationally accredited training and qualifications while being paid to work in the beekeeping industry. It is open to paid employees of beekeepers, and leads to a nationally accredited AHC31818 - Certificate III in Beekeeping qualification.

Traineeships provided through the NSW Smart and Skilled vocational education and training (VET) system, will be fee-free from 1 January 2020 (more info here).

Eligible traineeships for new trainees attract a 10% wage subsidy capped at $1500.00 per quarter, in the first year and second years of the traineeship (more info here).

At a glance:

Location: Paterson campus
Course duration: Maximum of two (2) years
Start date: No dates available
Number of units: 18
Indicative fees: The NSW Government has expanded its support for trainees and apprentices by waiving the $1000 Smart and Skilled co-contribution fee for traineeships.

Details

The traineeship includes a blend of face-to-face, online modules and workplace assessment, including practical components with hands-on exercises involving bee hives and various beekeeping equipment. The applicant must successfully complete thirteen (13) core units and five (5) elective units.

Possible job roles (depending on qualification level) include:

  • Beekeeping
  • Honey Processing
  • Wax processing
  • Hive building
  • Queen bee breeding
  • Bee sales
  • Pollination services.

Applicants should have some beekeeping experience, although a novice beekeeper may also be considered by a potential employer.
Applicants should have the ability to undertake the AHC31818 Certificate 3 Beekeeping.
If you would like more specific information, contact Tocal College or the Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

This traineeship will take up to 24 months to complete. Depending on your experience and skills, you may be able to complete it in a shorter time frame. This would need to be discussed with your Traineeship Coordinator.

Assessment methods may include:

  • written reports
  • case studies and scenarios
  • oral presentations
  • quizzes
  • observations
  • interviews.

The principles of assessment will be followed and all assessments will be valid, reliable, flexible and fair and carried out by qualified assessors. Students will be advised of the assessment requirements prior to the assessment taking place.

Support is available via email, phone, face to face on-campus, and through Canvas (the online learner management system).

From 1 January 2020 the NSW Government will be waiving the $1000 Smart and Skilled co-contribution fee for traineeships. https://www.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news/fee-free-traineeships-from-2020/

Traineeships are available in QLD with appropriate funding from the Queensland Government.

Traineeships attract substantial subsidies for employers and allowances for employees (including for accommodation and travel). Contact the Australian Apprenticeship Centre or the Traineeship Coordinator at Tocal for more information.



Additional Information

For information on students rights and responsibilities, and the Tocal College Code of Practice see Student policy information.

Student may decide to progress to further study within the College. Tocal also has articulation (credit for study at Tocal) arrangements in place with a number of Australian universities.



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