This unit applies to beekeepers involved in the specialist production of pollen. Where pollen is intended for human consumption, work must be carried out in accordance with food safety requirements.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to trap and store pollen

1.1. Colony is assessed for suitability for pollen collection.

1.2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and used.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with working with bees are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self and others.

1.4. All equipment used in process of collecting pollen is cleaned and sanitised according to food safety requirements and enterprise procedures.

2. Collect pollen

2.1. Suitable pollen trapping mechanism is constructed and installed in hive.

2.2. Personal hygiene requirements are met, including washed hands and clean clothing.

2.3. Pollen is collected at appropriate frequency, depending on its intended use as bee feed or for human consumption.

2.4. Risk of theft by ants is assessed and steps are taken to reduce likelihood of this occurring.

2.5. Risk of colony decline is assessed and pollen collection is stopped if necessary.

2.6. Pollen is temporarily stored in a suitable container to be transported to processing facilities.

3. Process pollen

3.1. Pollen is cleaned to remove all foreign material.

3.2. Pollen is air dried until moisture content is appropriate to prevent fermentation and deterioration.

3.3. Pollen is stored appropriately and according to its intended use.

Required skills

basic woodworking skills to construct a pollen trap

bee handling

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

bee colony's pollen requirements

bee handling

correct cleaning and sanitation methods

knowledge of appropriate floral sources

quality assurance and food safety, including requirements of honey Bee Industry Quality Assurance Program (BQUAL)

requirements for commercial processing.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

build a suitable pollen trap and install trap onto hive

correctly collect and process pollen

manage a hive and maintain records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Pollen production may relate to and may include:

all equipment and processes used in commercial production of pollen.

Unit sector

Beekeeping

This unit contains employability skills.