Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCBEK301 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage honey bee swarms

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCBEK301 - Manage honey bee swarms
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect bee swarms and manage the swarming behaviour of bees.This unit applies to beekeepers who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare to catch a swarm of honey bees
  • Obtain equipment required to collect a swarm of honey bees and confirm it is in good repair and serviceable for use
  • Check personal protective equipment (PPE) for serviceability and use and wear correctly
  • Identify work health and safety hazards associated with collecting bee swarms and take action to deal with them effectively
  • Observe site quarantine or other biosecurity protocols
  • Identify risks associated with collecting a swarm of honey bees and take actions to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks
       
Element: Collect a swarm of honey bees
  • Place dry drawn frames in hive box for collected swarm to ensure it remains in new hive box
  • Catch swarm by shaking it into an empty box
  • Move boxed swarm to new location after confirming that whole swarm has been collected
  • Keep swarm separate from other hives to monitor hive health and disease-free status
  • Re-queen a swarm
       
Element: Manage swarming behaviour in a honey bee colony
  • Monitor honey bee colony for signs that swarming may occur
  • Consider a range of control options if swarming appears likely to occur, and select and implement the best option
  • Monitor colony to ensure that swarming behaviour has been controlled and if necessary, implement further control options
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to catch a swarm of honey bees

1.1 Obtain equipment required to collect a swarm of honey bees and confirm it is in good repair and serviceable for use

1.2 Check personal protective equipment (PPE) for serviceability and use and wear correctly

1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards associated with collecting bee swarms and take action to deal with them effectively

1.4 Observe site quarantine or other biosecurity protocols

1.5 Identify risks associated with collecting a swarm of honey bees and take actions to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks

2. Collect a swarm of honey bees

2.1 Place dry drawn frames in hive box for collected swarm to ensure it remains in new hive box

2.2 Catch swarm by shaking it into an empty box

2.3 Move boxed swarm to new location after confirming that whole swarm has been collected

2.4 Keep swarm separate from other hives to monitor hive health and disease-free status

2.5 Re-queen a swarm

3. Manage swarming behaviour in a honey bee colony

3.1 Monitor honey bee colony for signs that swarming may occur

3.2 Consider a range of control options if swarming appears likely to occur, and select and implement the best option

3.3 Monitor colony to ensure that swarming behaviour has been controlled and if necessary, implement further control options

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

correctly wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

communicate with members of the public and/or owners or managers of the property/area from which a swarm is being collected

collect a swarm of honey bees

implement a range of control options to manage swarming behaviour in honey bees

interpret bee behaviour and handling bees

use specialist equipment.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of managing swarms

why and when honey bees swarm

why swarms are collected

signs that a colony is about to swarm

management techniques that can be used to manage a colony that is showing signs it is about to swarm

biosecurity protocols

diseases that occur in honey bees

signs of brood disease and wax moth infestation in a swarm once it has been placed in a hive

when and how to requeen a swarm that has been collected.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to catch a swarm of honey bees

1.1 Obtain equipment required to collect a swarm of honey bees and confirm it is in good repair and serviceable for use

1.2 Check personal protective equipment (PPE) for serviceability and use and wear correctly

1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards associated with collecting bee swarms and take action to deal with them effectively

1.4 Observe site quarantine or other biosecurity protocols

1.5 Identify risks associated with collecting a swarm of honey bees and take actions to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks

2. Collect a swarm of honey bees

2.1 Place dry drawn frames in hive box for collected swarm to ensure it remains in new hive box

2.2 Catch swarm by shaking it into an empty box

2.3 Move boxed swarm to new location after confirming that whole swarm has been collected

2.4 Keep swarm separate from other hives to monitor hive health and disease-free status

2.5 Re-queen a swarm

3. Manage swarming behaviour in a honey bee colony

3.1 Monitor honey bee colony for signs that swarming may occur

3.2 Consider a range of control options if swarming appears likely to occur, and select and implement the best option

3.3 Monitor colony to ensure that swarming behaviour has been controlled and if necessary, implement further control options

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain equipment required to collect a swarm of honey bees and confirm it is in good repair and serviceable for use 
Check personal protective equipment (PPE) for serviceability and use and wear correctly 
Identify work health and safety hazards associated with collecting bee swarms and take action to deal with them effectively 
Observe site quarantine or other biosecurity protocols 
Identify risks associated with collecting a swarm of honey bees and take actions to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks 
Place dry drawn frames in hive box for collected swarm to ensure it remains in new hive box 
Catch swarm by shaking it into an empty box 
Move boxed swarm to new location after confirming that whole swarm has been collected 
Keep swarm separate from other hives to monitor hive health and disease-free status 
Re-queen a swarm 
Monitor honey bee colony for signs that swarming may occur 
Consider a range of control options if swarming appears likely to occur, and select and implement the best option 
Monitor colony to ensure that swarming behaviour has been controlled and if necessary, implement further control options 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCBEK301 - Manage honey bee swarms
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCBEK301 - Manage honey bee swarms

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: