NEWS FROM BBKA

• RETURNING FORMS FOR BBKA COURSES

The address for Modular exam applications
Pauline Cooke, Hideaway, Grosvenor Road, Medstead, ALTON, GU34 5JE
hideawaypc@gmail.com
 
The address for basic assessment and all other assessment forms is:
Jean Frost, 5 Pound Close, Upper Wield, ALRESFORD, Hants, SO24 9SH
jeanterry@uwclub.net

• CHANGES TO BBKA COURSES

​Syllabus and Procedural Changes for 2016:
Basic Certificate
The Examinations Board has made a significant change to the assessment procedure.  Instead of having to gain 50% in three sections, the candidate will now have to succeed in four sections.  The new section is swarming and swarm control.  This topic has been identified as a weakness for many years so given its importance swarming will now be assessed separately.  Please warn candidates about the change.  The syllabus has been re-arranged to match the four sections but the objectives have not been changed.
 
General Husbandry Certificate
Candidates continue to take this assessment before they have gained sufficient experience so the entry requirement has been changed to - Normally the Candidate shall have kept and managed bees for at least five years.
The task objectives have been clarified to distinguish between reasons for changing combs:
2.6       Demonstrate changing brood frames for disease control using a Shook Swarm technique.
2.7       Demonstrate changing all the brood frames in a strong colony.
2.8       Demonstrate changing brood frames for disease control in a weak colony using a Bailey Frame Change.
 
Advanced Husbandry certificate
Again, many candidates rush from the General Husbandry to the Advanced level without taking time to prepare, so the entry requirement has been changed to: Normally the candidate should wait at least 18 months after passing the General Husbandry, before taking this assessment.  The term ‘normally’ allows for extenuating circumstances to be considered.
Posted 19.1.2016

• BBKA GENERAL HUSBANDRY COURSES

The BBKA General Husbandry courses are run under the auspices of the BBKA and the cost is set by BBKA. The full cost of the course is £75 of which FERA fund the majority and the student contribution last year was £35.00. In 2015 the cost to the student has risen to £50 because FERA funding has been reduced.  HBA have generously agreed to subsidise the student charge to keep it the same as last year. That means that HBA will fund the top up of £15.00. Students register onto the course via the BBKA website and at that stage must pay the full amount.  So long as students attend the full course, HBA will reimburse the residual amount of £15.00. Reimbursement can be made electronically and students will need to give the course tutor their name, address, which association they belong to, bank sort code and bank account number. A suitable form will be available for them to complete. It is hoped that effectively reducing the cost to the 2014 level will encourage more students to attend the training course. If you are still thinking about taking the assessment, please register as soon as possible on the BBKA website so that numbers can be managed. Numbers will be limited to 12 on each course.

OTHER COURSES