Monday, 06 June 2011 00:00 Environmental and land-based SSC Lantra has developed, in partnership with the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), a Level 1 qualification in beekeeping.

This new qualification aims to equip learners with vital practical skills such as how to remove honey from bee hives, and an in-depth knowledge of the lifecycle and behaviour of the honey bee, helping them break into the industry and improve the quality of beekeeping.

Emphasising the importance of having formally qualified beekeepers, Chris Deaves, chair of education and husbandry for the BBKA, said: "One in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination at a time when a crisis is threatening the world's honey bees.

"This new qualification is a huge step forward in the vocational training of beekeepers and will support the UK's food production in the future."

Lesley Barr, head of product development at Lantra Awards, agrees that a recognised qualification will be instrumental in providing aspiring beekeepers with real skills and urges colleges and training providers to help deliver this new beekeeping qualification.

"This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in working with honey bees," said Ms Barr.

"Finally there will be a way into the industry providing real skills with a recognised qualification at the end. The BBKA has been instrumental in the development of this qualification and we are pleased to be working with them."

Apostolos Kostoulas