Top-Up Course Now Available for Beekeeping Course Certificate Holders

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee is pleased to announce that, alongside its full Introduction to Beekeeping and Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee course, it is now also offering a Top-Up Course option.

This top-up version has been designed for individuals who have already completed a beekeeping course but would like to strengthen their knowledge, refresh key concepts, or gain a deeper understanding of the conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, Apis mellifera ruttneri, and join an ever-growing community of like-minded people.

The Maltese Honey Bee is Malta’s officially recognised National Insect and forms an important part of our natural heritage. For this reason, beekeeping should not only focus on the rearing and management of colonies, but also on the protection of local biodiversity and the conservation of Malta’s native pollinators.

Participants following the Top-Up Course will be able to attend all theory-based lessons, with a strong focus on the Maltese Honey Bee, Apis mellifera ruttneri, Malta’s officially recognised National Insect. The course will explore its biology, behaviour, unique traits, conservation value, and the main threats affecting its survival, including hybridisation, pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change. Participants will also refresh their knowledge of sustainable hive management, bee health, honey harvesting, and the legal requirements related to responsible beekeeping in Malta.

The Top-Up Course consists of 8 theory lessons, amounting to 16 hours of learning. Participants following this option will be exempt from the practical apiary sessions. The reduced fee for the Top-Up Course is €100.

To be eligible for this option, applicants must provide a certificate confirming that they have successfully completed a previous beekeeping course.

This course is ideal for beekeepers who wish to update their knowledge, better understand the conservation challenges facing the Maltese Honey Bee, and contribute more actively towards safeguarding Malta’s unique bee heritage.

The Foundation believes that rearing and conservation should go hand in hand. Through this top-up option, more beekeepers can continue building their knowledge while supporting a more sustainable and conservation-focused apicultural sector.

Places are limited to ensure a high-quality learning environment. Interested applicants are encouraged to book early and submit the required documentation when applying.

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