Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to produce and harvest royal jelly.
This unit applies to beekeepers who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to produce and harvest royal jelly | 1.1 Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.2 Identify work health and safety hazards associated with working with bees and take appropriate action to minimise risks to self and others 1.3 Assess hive for suitability for production of royal jelly 1.4 Prepare hive and put in artificial queen bee cells 1.5 Graft bee larvae 1.6 Stimulate production of royal jelly 1.7 Ensure production equipment is clean and sanitised |
2. Collect and store royal jelly | 2.1 Adhere to personal hygiene requirements, including washed hands and wearing clean clothing 2.2 Ensure collection and storage equipment is clean and sanitised 2.3 Remove larvae carefully from cell with a grafting tool so as not to contaminate jelly, and discard larvae 2.4 Remove royal jelly from each cell 2.5 Filter royal jelly through fine nylon net to remove traces of wax or larvae 2.6 Place harvested royal jelly into appropriate hygienic containers, avoiding excessive exposure to air, and refrigerate immediately |
3. Finalise tasks | 3.1 Check and clean equipment and return to store area 3.2 Keep and maintain records |
Evidence of Performance
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:
prepare hives for royal jelly collection
handle bees
graft larvae and stimulating royal jelly production
remove larvae
collect and store royal jelly
keep records of royal jelly production for food safety and quality assurance requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
correct cleaning and sanitation methods
food safety requirements
quality assurance requirements designed for the honey industry
the role of nurse bees in royal jelly production
bee biology.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Beekeeping (BEK)