Training and Support > Intermediate & Specialist
Initially the beekeeping learning curve is very steep with the priority being to acquire the skills and knowledge successfully to maintain a colony(ies) over two to three seasons. Hopefully during this time you will have passed your Basic Assessment. Thereafter your options are varied:
Mainly through reading, searching the internet and attending Branch meetings, keep your knowledge of best practice up-to-date such that you can maintain healthy colonies and good honey yields
Exploit or ask for opportunities to learn specific practical skills such as microscopy, candle making, skep making or queen rearing via the Branch, Warwickshire Beekeepers' Association or at the BBKA Convention
Take the route of obtaining practical qualifications (assessments) beyond the Basic Assessment: namely the General Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry and the Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry
Increase your knowledge about bees and beekeeping by taking one of more of the BBKA theoretical "modules":
Module 1 Honey Bee Management
Module 2 Honey Bee Products & Forage
Module 3 Honey Bee Diseases, Pests & Poisoning
Module 4 Intermediate Honeybee Biology
Module 5 Honeybee Biology
Module 6 Honeybee Behaviour
Module 7 Selection & Breeding of Honeybees
Module 8 Honeybee Management & History
Written examinations are held in March each year at numerous centres around the country. The modules can be taken in any order, or you can simply choose to take an individual module which you find interesting. Completing Modules 1-3, and one other results in the award of the Intermediate Certificate. Completing modules 1-3, and 5-8 achieves the Advanced Theory certificate
Two further exams may be taken: Microscopy and the Show Judge Assessment
Those completing the Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry and the Advanced Theory Certificate are termed "Master Beekeepers"