TAFE NSW Wauchope and Kempsey students will be busy as bees as part of a new course that will give graduates the skills to manage a beehive in their own backyard, and bolster the declining bee population.

The Statement in Starting with Beekeeping was developed to respond to a surge of interest in the field over the past two years.

In 2019 there were an estimated 297,362 beehives within New South Wales and TAFE NSW Beekeeping teacher Peter Burgess said that has grown vastly over the past three years.

“The course will cover brood management, biosecurity, and work health and safety elements for those looking to start out in beekeeping.

“It's really exciting news for the local industry, beekeepers play a crucial role in food security as bees pollinate a third of the food we eat,” Mr Burgess said.

Hastings Valley Amateur beekeepers association member Rosanna Watson, said last year saw the largest increase in beekeepers than ever before and we need a thriving beekeeping industry for our food security, so this course couldn't have come at a better time.

“Agricultural production on the Mid North Coast benefits hugely from bee pollination, however the bee population is under threat.

“After two challenging years with drought, bushfires, and floods, demand for beekeepers is higher than ever. To have this type of education in beekeeping available to students in the Mid North Coast is invaluable,” said Mrs Watson.

For more information about courses at TAFE NSW or via TAFE Digital, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601. 

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au