Beekeeper

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you need to do this job. Relevant subjects include a Level 1 Award in Introduction to Beekeeping.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

More Information

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You can keep bees as a hobby and learn how to successfully set up and manage healthy colonies of honeybees.

You can also join a beekeeping group where you'll learn from experienced beekeepers, and work towards qualifications offered by The British Beekeepers Association.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a beekeeper through The British Beekeepers Association and the National Bee Unit.

You'll need:

• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• observation and recording skills
• knowledge of biology
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:

• build, inspect or repair hives
• introduce a new colony or maintain an existing one
• feed or check the health of your bees
• monitor the size of your colony and amount of honey produced
• treat your hive and bees to fight disease and pests
• collect honey from hives
• prepare and bottle honey
• market honey and products like beeswax
• mentor or train new beekeepers, once experienced
• breed queen bees and smaller, starter or 'nucleus' bee colonies

You could work on a farm or at a bee yard.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.