Apiculture (Bees) Project

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"Advanced skills in Apiculture” was identified as a priority skill area in the 2017 Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management IRC Skills Forecast (see page 56). Skills Impact and the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will take this project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.Download the IRC Skills Forecast (see page 56)

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Project Scope
This project will improve and update units of competency and the qualification in bee keeping so that all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs.The units and qualification will be reviewed to address skills that relate to biosecurity, pollination and business management.Scroll down to view the qualification and list of units that will be reviewed in this project.The apiculture industry is changing, as a result of growing horticultural industries that rely on bees and an increased demand for pollination services. A Senate Inquiry into the future of the beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia, made recommendations for improving existing biosecurity measures through implementation of a national standard or code of practice for beekeeping to promote beekeeping best-management practices and optimal biosecurity. Growing importance of pollination services that honey bees perform, including the ability to increase productivity and crop yield need to be addressed in training.

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Relevant Occupations
Farm managers and bee keepers. 
Key deliverables
  • Review and improvement of 19 units of competency
  • Review and improvement of 1 qualification (Certificate III in Bee Keeping)
  • Development of up to 5 new units and/or skill sets as identified during review
 
Timeline
August 2017 Initial scopingSeptember, October 2017 Review process commencementNovember, December 2017 Industry consultation of draft materialsFebruary 2018 Industry validation of final draftsMarch 2018 Finalisation of Training Package componentsApril, May 2018 Independent Quality Assurance, and Edit and Equity review of Training Package componentsJune 2018 IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement 
Project Team
Sam PapasideroIndustry Facilitation Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Tom VassalloIndustry Skills Standards Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Ron BarrowSkills Development Specialist, Nestor Consulting
 
Subject Matter Experts
Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units and qualification.If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]
Opportunities for stakeholder input:
Below is a list of the current and existing qualification and units of competency that will be reviewed as part of this project. To view the qualification or a specific unit, please click on the title.We are seeking your feedback on how the qualification and units could be reviewed or improved to address skills relating to biosecurity, pollination services and any types of marketing and business activities that would suit bee keeping.Your feedback will help us in drafting the revised units.To provide feedback, please email Tom Vassallo [email protected] 

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A workshop was held on 11 October 2017 with Bee keeping subject matter experts from five states to seek advice on the structure of the revised Certificate III in Beekeeping. Their advice will be used to inform the draft qualification and units of competency that are being prepared for industry feedback during November 2017. Face-to-face consultation workshops to seek feedback on the draft qualification and units are also planned for the following locations and dates, with a webinar planned for those unable to attend in person. Please feel free to register for a workshop near you or a webinar by clicking the corresponding link.
Face-to-Face Consultation Workshops
9 Nov 17, 08:00 - 10:00 – Adelaide, SA – register here14 Nov 17, 10:30 - 12:30 – Perth, WA – register here16 Nov 17, 17:00 - 17:30 – Darwin, NT – register here22 Nov 17, 11:00 - 13:00 – Brisbane, QLD – register here23 Nov 17, 11:00 - 13:00 – Orange, NSW – register here29 Nov 17, 10:00 - 12:00 – Launceston, TAS – register here30 Nov 17, 10:00 - 12:00 – Bendigo, VIC – register here
Consultation Webinar
27 Nov 17, 14:45 – 15:30 AEST – Webinar – register here
 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
Register your interest

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Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the draft Certificate III in Beekeeping, skill set and related units of competency, including the new unit – AHCBEK3XXX Transport beehives by road to new apiary site. The drafts were made available on this webpage. A series of face-to-face consultation workshops and a webinar also took place throughout November.Feedback was sought on whether the draft qualification, skill set and units accurately describe all job functions and whether they reflect the current skills standards and practices of industry. The feedback will inform the work on the final drafts, which will be available for industry validation in late January 2018.The draft qualifications, skill sets and units that were available for industry review and feedback are listed below.
 

New Unit of Competency

This draft unit was available for industry review and feedback from 6 December 2017 – 2 January 2018. It was developed in response to feedback received during the consultation workshops in November.
AHCBEK3XXX Transport beehives by road to new apiary siteDownload draft unit

Qualification

This draft qualification was available for industry review and feedback from 2 November – 10 December 2017.
AHC3XXXX Certificate III in BeekeepingDownload draft qualification

Skill Set

This draft skill set was available for industry review and feedback from 2 November – 10 December 2017.
AHCSS00028 Basic beekeeping skill setDownload draft skill set

Units of Competency

The draft units that were available for industry review and feedback from 2 November – 10 December 2017 are listed below.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
AHCBEK202 Use a bee smokerDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK203 Open and reassemble a beehiveDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK204 Construct and repair beehivesDownload draft unit
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this groupPlease note that some units have been recoded to align the unit outcomes to the appropriate Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level; this is shown in the unit mapping.
 AHCBEK3XXX Use tools and equipment to support beekeeping workDownload draft unit
AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarmsDownload draft unit
AHCBEK302 Manipulate honey bee broodDownload draft unit
AHCBEK303 Re-queen a honey bee colonyDownload draft unit
AHCBEK304 Remove a honey crop from a hiveDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK305 Extract honeyDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK306 Manage pests and disease within a honey bee colonyDownload draft unit
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this groupPlease note that some units have been recoded to align the unit outcomes to the appropriate Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level; this is shown in the unit mapping.
 AHCBEK401 Collect and store propolisDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK402 Perform queen bee artificial inseminationDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK403 Produce and harvest royal jellyDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK404 Provide bee pollination servicesDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK405 Select and establish an apiary siteDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK406 Trap and store pollenDownload draft unit
 AHCBEK407 Rear queen beesDownload draft unit
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this groupPlease note that some units have been recoded to align the unit outcomes to the appropriate Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level; this is shown in the unit mapping.
AHCWRK308 Handle bulk materials in storage areaDownload draft unit
AHCWRK306 Comply with industry quality assurance requirementsDownload draft unit
 

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Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
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Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft Certificate III in Beekeeping, skill set and related units of competency. The final drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website from 25 January 2018 – 8 February 2018. The final drafts will shortly progress through to the Finalisation stage of the project, which includes quality assurance of the documents and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities, before the final drafts are forwarded to the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. They will then be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.Validation means checking and confirming that the documents are logical and factually accurate. They have been re-written to accurately describe all job functions and reflect the current skills standards and practices of industry.The final draft qualifications and units that were available for industry validation are listed below. A summary of the feedback that was received during the consultation period (between 9 November – 10 December 2017) and a description of its consideration and application in these final drafts can be downloaded below
 Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions
 

New Skills Sets and Units

Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final drafts of these documents. These components were made available on the Skills Impact website from 22 February - 8 March, 2018.
 
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
AHCSSXXXX Pollination services skill setMinor change to the Suggested words for the statement of attainment.Download final draft skill set
AHCSSXXXX Queen bee breeding skill setThere are no changes to this skill set as there was no feedback was received during previous consultation.Download final draft skill set
 
This new skill set is proposed to provide a home for the new unit - AHCBEK3XX Establish an Australian native bee colony.
AHCSSXXXXX Australian native stingless bees skill setDownload final draft skill set
 
This proposed new unit is for capturing the processing of wax, which is not covered in the previous qualification.
AHCBEK3XXX Process raw wax into mouldsDownload final draft unit
This proposed new unit, follows a call for skills development for beekeepers who maintain or sell native bees for a range of purposes including pollination services. The unit will not be included in the BEK suite of elective units, but attached to the natural resource management sector through a specific skill set.
AHCNRM3XXX Establish an Australian native stingless bee colonyDownload final draft unit
 
AHC3XX18 Certificate III in BeekeepingDownload final draft qualification
Note: The following work has been carried out on this qualification:
  • The qualification has changed following consultation with industry.
  • Additional Core units to ensure base skills have been addressed by all beekeepers.
  • Some units have been recoded to maintain correct AQF level.
  • Additional business units were requested if available. Packaging rules also allow for imported unit.
  • Packaging rules - to achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:
    • 18 units of competency: (previously 16 units of competency)
    • 13 core units plus (no change)
    • 5 elective units (previously 3 electives).
  • Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. The electives are to be chosen as follows:
    • 3 units must be selected from the electives listed in the qualification
    • 2 units from the remaining electives or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course packaged at Certificate II, III or IV.
The format of this skill set has been updated to comply with the Standards for Training Package 2012.
AHCSS00028 Basic beekeeping skill setDownload final draft skill set
  Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
AHCBEK202 Prepare and use a bee smoker
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK203 Open and reassemble a beehive
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK204 Assemble and maintain beekeeping components
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Minor name change from “Construct and repair beehives” to reflect actual work performed.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarms
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK302 Manipulate honey bee brood
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK303 Re-queen a honey bee colony
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria, with two Performance Criteria's 3.2 and 3.3 combined into one (Queen). Added Element 5 to capture need for recordkeeping.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • While there has been the addition of Element 5 the change is minor and as such the unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK304 Remove a honey crop from a hive
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria. Element 5 has been added to capture the need for record keeping.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • While there has been the addition of Element 5 the change is minor and as such the unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK305 Extract honey
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been the addition of more elements for this unit including:
    • Removal of unprocessed honey comb
    • Handle extracted frames
    • Collect and store capping and raw comb for future wax processing
    • Maintain records of honey production
  • Changes have also been made to the Performance Criteria.
  • Foundation Skills have been updated. Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence have been updated to reflect the changes in the Performance Criteria. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • With the inclusion of additional elements the unit has been deemed not equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK306 Treat pests and disease within a honey bee colony 
  • Minor name change to “Treat” rather than Manage which infers a much higher level of performance that is not represented in the Elements and Performance Criteria.
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been additions to the Elements and Performance Criteria to ensure field diagnosis, biosecurity and record keeping were made more explicit.
  • Foundation Skills, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence have all been updated to reflect the changes. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • With the inclusion of additional elements and PC’s the unit has been deemed not equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK3XXX Produce and harvest royal jelly (formerly AHCBEK403 during consultation stage)
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Changes to the AQF level as it was felt the outcomes are better aligned to level 3.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • While there has been a change in the AQF level, the overall unit has not been changed significantly and as such will be deemed equivalent to the previous unit.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK3XXX Collect and store propolis (formerly AHCBEK401 during consultation stage)
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Changes to the AQF level as it was felt the outcomes are better aligned to level 3.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • While there has been a change in the AQF level the overall unit has not been changed significantly and as such will be deemed equivalent to the previous unit.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK3XXX Trap and store pollen (formerly AHCBEK406 during consultation stage)
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Changes to the AQF level as it was felt the outcomes are better aligned to level 3.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • While there has been a change in the AQF level the overall unit has not been changed significantly and as such will be deemed equivalent to the previous unit.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK3XXX Transport bee hives by road to new apiary siteThis is a new unit to capture the transportation of live bees on public roads, not addressed in the previous qualification.Download final draft unit
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
Unit Code and Title Proposed changes based on industry feedback Link to Download
AHCBEK402 Perform queen bee artificial insemination
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria. Performance Criteria 3.1 requires further clarification.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK404 Provide bee pollination services
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK405 Select and establish an apiary site
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Recommended changes to AQF level to reflect actual work performed, however seems to be rather complex and recommend leaving as AQF 4.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCBEK407 Rear queen bees
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria, with a split to element 1 into two to separate out preparation activities from manipulations for clarity.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
AHCWRK306 Comply with industry quality assurance requirements
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria for clarity.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCWRK308 Handle bulk materials in storage area
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria for clarity. Removed 3.3 due to duplication.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
The proposal to delete this unit will result in its removal from the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package altogether.
AHCBEK201 Support beekeeping workThis unit is proposed for deletion as the skills and knowledge outcomes of the unit are also included in several other redesigned AHCBEK units in the core of the Certificate III in Beekeeping.
 

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Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
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Next stage of the project
Once industry has validated all final drafts they will be submitted to the Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. After final quality assurance of the drafts, they will be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.

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On the 12 September 2018, the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved the Case for Endorsement for the updated and revised qualifications, skill sets and units of competency, along with a Companion Volume Implementation Guide. The AISC endorsed the components on the 12th September 2018.The final qualifications, skill sets and units of competency are now published on training.gov.au, which means they are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs). They are published within the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package version 3 (published on 19/12/2018). Click here to view the training package.This project reviewed units of competency and the qualification in bee keeping so that all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs, particularly in relation to biosecurity, pollination and business management.
What does this mean for training providers?
Registered training organisations (RTOs) may now apply to have the updated qualifications, skill sets and units added to their scope of registration. RTOs who already have the qualifications, skill sets and units that have been updated as part of this endorsement have 12 months to transition to deliver the updated qualifications, skill sets and units, from the date of publication. For more information, visit the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website. A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to help training providers implement the new and revised qualifications, skill sets and units. It can be downloaded from VETNet.com. 
Summary of consultation
Initial consultation took place with a group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), to gather information that informed the draft qualification, skill sets and units. Public consultation and feedback workshops were held in Bendigo, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide, Launceston and Orange. Broad consultation took place through the Skills Impact website, where the draft documents were made available for download and feedback for a four week period and again, for an additional two weeks, when the drafts were revised for validation. A webinar also took place on two separate occasions with the Queensland Agriculture Industry Sector Panel covering the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Summary of project outcomes
  • 1 revised qualification - AHC31818 Certificate III in Beekeeping.
  • 21 units of competency.
  • 4 skill sets (including 3 new skills sets related to Australian native stingless bees, pollination services and queen bee breeding).
Case for Endorsement
Please see the Case for Endorsement for more information about the work that was undertaken and why:   Download the AHC Case for EndorsementNote that qualifications, skill sets and units developed out of the following projects were also approved as part of this Case for Endorsement:
Please find below links to the final qualifications, skill sets and units on training.gov.au 
AHC31818 Certificate III in BeekeepingView qualification on training.gov.au
 
AHCSS00075 Basic beekeeping skill setView skill set on training.gov.au
AHCSS00076 Australian native stingless bees skill setView skill set on training.gov.au
AHCSS00077 Pollination services skill setView skill set on training.gov.au
AHCSS00078 Queen bee breeding skill setView skill set on training.gov.au
 
AHCBEK203 Open and reassemble a beehiveView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK205 Prepare and use a bee smokerView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK206 Assemble and maintain beekeeping componentsView unit on training.gov.au
 
AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarmsView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK302 Manipulate honey bee broodView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK303 Re-queen a honey bee colonyView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK304 Remove a honey crop from a hiveView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK307 Collect and store propolisView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK308 Produce and harvest royal jellyView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK309 Trap and store pollenView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK310 Process raw wax into mouldsView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK311 Transport bee hives by road to new apiary siteView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK312 Extract honeyView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK313 Manage pests and disease within a honey bee colonyView unit on training.gov.au
AHCNRM301 Establish an Australian native stingless bee colonyView unit on training.gov.au
 
AHCBEK402 Perform queen bee artificial inseminationView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK405 Select and establish an apiary siteView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK408 Provide bee pollination servicesView unit on training.gov.au
AHCBEK409 Rear queen beesView unit on training.gov.au
  
AHCWRK306 Comply with industry quality assurance requirementsView unit on training.gov.au
AHCWRK308 Handle bulk materials in storage areaView unit on training.gov.au