Mount Maunganui's Pacific Coast Technical Institute is offering a nationwide practical beekeeping programme – which is ideal for those pursuing beekeeping as a career or a hobby.

PCTI director Mark Hellyer says the apiculture beekeeping course came as a natural extension for the company, which with their subsidiary Food and Produce NZ were already experts in integrated pest management, production horticulture and post-harvest with strong links to research.

'We've put together a nationwide practical beekeeping programme, which served the needs of those in junior beekeeping roles or wanting to get into beekeeping,” says Mark.

'We went backwards and forwards to key industry players until we had it right.”

Mark says the programme focuses heavily on the practical side of beekeeping, pest and disease management, life cycles, seasonality and understanding the environment.

Through their second institute, Food and Produce New Zealand and former owners Plant and Food Research, PCTI has also brought relevant up-to-date information to the course.

Mark says the course is designed for industry and is pending approval by NZQA as a New Zealand Certificate.

This 34-week course – which can be studied by distance or part-time – is for entry-level beekeepers no matter what their career intention – and is equally suitable for those exploring beekeeping as a hobby.

'For non-academic, ‘learning by doing' individuals this is a really cool career to get into. It's hard work and you need a keen eye but highly rewarding,” says Mark.

PCTI is at this weekend's BOP Young Fruit Grower of the Year final – you can catch Kerry, Chris and the PCTI team there for extra information.