Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct and install a suitable pollen trapping mechanism and store pollen appropriately according to its intended use.
This unit applies to beekeepers who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and who 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 trap and store pollen | 1.1 Select suitable floral resources 1.2 Assess colony for suitability for pollen collection 1.3 Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.4 Identify work health and safety hazards and take appropriate action to minimise risks to self and others 1.5 Ensure equipment to be used in the process of collecting pollen is clean and sanitised according to food safety requirements |
2. Collect pollen | 2.1 Construct suitable pollen trapping mechanism and install in hive 2.2 Adhere to personal hygiene requirements including washed hands and wearing clean clothing 2.3 Collect pollen at appropriate frequency 2.4 Assess risk of theft by ants and take steps to reduce likelihood of this occurring 2.5 Assess risk of contamination by moth larvae and take steps to reduce likelihood of this occurring 2.6 Assess risk of colony decline and stop pollen collection if necessary 2.7Store pollen temporarily in a suitable container to be transported to processing facilities |
3. Process pollen | 3.1 Clean pollen to remove all foreign material 3.2 Dry pollen until moisture content is appropriate to prevent fermentation and deterioration and store appropriately 3.3 If not dried, freeze immediately to prevent fermentation and deterioration |
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:
build or purchase a suitable pollen trap
assess suitability of colonies for pollen collection
correctly wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
collect and process pollen
manage the hive
maintain records
handle bees
clean and sanitise equipment.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices of trapping and storing pollen
bee colony pollen requirements
bee handling techniques
floral sources of pollen production
quality assurance requirements designed for the honey industry
requirements for commercial processing.
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)