Background to Beekeeping: Start with Why!
What you'll learn
- Explain the surprising multiple benefits of beekeeping
- Explain the history and current status of world bees and beekeeping
- Explain the broad approaches to beekeeping
- Encourage you to make your beekeeping unique to your particular skills and interests
- Give an overview of world production and trade in honey
- Decide if beekeeping is something you want to start
- Give the first key step on your journey to becoming a successful beekeeper
Requirements
- You need to be able to use a computer at beginner level to view the course content
- No beekeeping experience necessary - just your interest in bees and beekeeping!
Description
Take this course as one of your first courses in beekeeping and it will set you on the right path in beekeeping for years to come. Beekeeping has very many benefits/potential benefits. Established beekeepers may not even be aware of all the benefits they, their family and community are getting from their beekeeping hobby or enterprise. This course will give you an excellent overview of the history and current state of bees and beekeeping around the world, the honey trade, why you should get into beekeeping, how you can benefit personally from beekeeping and how your local community and the planet will thank you as well. The course will give you the WHY of beekeeping which is essential before you get lost in the detail of the HOW.
Remember reasons always come first and once you understand why you should start beekeeping you will always figure out the how. Having a thorough understanding of the WHY of beekeeping is absolutely essential to your success as a beekeeper. The course ends by giving you a key step on the road to learning the HOW of beekeeping appropriate to where you live in the world.
The course will also help you to decide how you want to approach beekeeping in your particular context and how you might bring your own unique skills and interests to beekeeping to make it your very own. This big picture view of beekeeping is really important because it is so easy to get lost in detail which might or might not be appropriate to where you live (just try searching for beekeeping videos on YouTube and you will find so many videos it is hard to know which ones are useful or appropriate!).
In developing this course I draw on a lifetime of beekeeping experience in Ireland and in Africa.
In addition to other resources and links included with the course there are two free downloadable beekeeping books (PDF format) written by the course creator for your further reference.
The course has been revised and updated for 2021/2022.
Who this course is for:
- Anyone interested in beekeeping for beginners
- Anyone interested in learning about bees and bee keeping
- Anyone interested in having a better understanding of the beekeeping industry & honey trade
- Anyone interested in understanding the benefits of bees and beekeeping
- Anyone interested in starting a small scale beekeeping enterprise
- Anyone wondering if beekeeping is a good hobby to start
- Existing beekeepers who want to broaden their understanding of beekeeping
Instructor
- 4.4 Instructor Rating
- 6,758 Reviews
- 33,168 Students
- 12 Courses
Welcome to Your Future-Ready Learning Journey
I'm Dr. Thomas Carroll, and I’m here to help you navigate the rapid changes of the 4th Industrial Revolution with confidence. Whether you're looking to future-proof your career, develop high-demand skills, or explore sustainable practices like beekeeping, my courses provide practical, future-focused learning experiences tailored to today’s fast-changing world.
Why Learn with Me?
Future of Work & Skills Expert – Stay ahead in a world shaped by automation, AI, and digital transformation.
Diverse Academic & Professional Background – I bring insights from agriculture, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and futures thinking to help you develop skills that transcend industries.
Lifelong Learner & Engaging Educator – I believe learning should be dynamic, insightful, and directly applicable to your career and life.
Featured Course: Future Skills 2030
The world of work is changing faster than ever. In Future Skills 2030: Mastering the 4th Industrial Revolution, I’ll help you:
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My Expertise
? Futures Thinking – Anticipate industry shifts & adapt ahead of time.
? Future of Work – Navigate automation, AI, and changing job landscapes.
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? Beekeeping & Sustainability – Learn how innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.
My Academic Background & Certifications
? BSc in Agricultural Science – University College Dublin
? MSc in Entrepreneurship – University of Stirling, UK
? MSc in Environmental Science – University College Dublin
? PhD in Rural Development – University College Dublin
In addition to my degrees, I hold professional certifications in Career Navigation, Futures Thinking, and Climate Change Education, ensuring that my courses reflect the latest insights and trends.
What You’ll Gain from My Courses
✅ Future-Ready Career Strategies – Learn how to stay competitive in a world shaped by automation, AI, and innovation.
✅ Practical & Engaging Learning – Theory is great, but I focus on real-world applications to help you apply what you learn.
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Let's Shape the Future Together
Join me on this journey of lifelong learning, adaptability, and innovation. Whether you're here to future-proof your career or explore new skills, I'm excited to help you thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
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Dr. Thomas Carroll