Professional Training in the Beekeeping Sector: Characterization and Identification of Needs

The beekeeping sector is demanding, requires knowledge and updated information to be able to deal with the challenges related with climate change, food scarcity, stress, pollution, and other harmful effects from the surrounding environment. Hence, this work intended to make a characterization of the needs in professional training in the beekeeping sector and how these needs can be fulfilled through courses and other actions to help beekeepers to maintain updated. The work was carried out in seven European countries (Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Total), and the data was collected through a questionnaire survey, translated into the native languages in all the participating countries. The results revealed that the topics of highest interest for the beekeepers were apiary health and pest control and also colony management throughout the year. The most relevant sources of information were family and professional training/courses. The most valued forms of training were in-person and in workplace/internships, although the digital supporting resources were preferred instead of printed material. The learning materials most valued were videos but also books/paper manuals were considered relevant. The field visits were also greatly appreciated by the participants, and the most preferred assessment format was the realization of practical exercises. In conclusion, this work produced valuable information that can be utilized to design training actions and courses to the professionals in the beekeeping sector to enhance their knowledge and better prepare them to manage successfully their activities. [For the full proceedings, see ED654100.]