Beginning in Beekeeping: Start Your Very First Beehive!
What you'll learn
- Where to set up your apiary
- How to get your hive occupied with bees
- How to manage bees in your hive
- How to harvest, extract and pack you own delicious honey
- How to extract beeswax and make simple candles and beeswax polish
- What beekeeping is all about
- The benefits of keeping bees in a top bar hive and frame hives
- How to make your own top bar hive
Requirements
- The course is designed to be understandable by the complete beginner
- An interest in learning different ways to keep bees
- An interest in simple, low cost beekeeping
- An interest in producing your own wonderful, high quality bee products for sale or home consumption
- An interest in bees and the natural environment
- An interest in doing your bit to protect bees, enhance biodiversity and the natural environment
Description
Start beekeeping in 2024! This course will introduce you to the wonderful topic of keeping bees in both conventional frame hives and also in top bar hives. The aim is to keep bees in a simple, low cost, natural and enjoyable way.
You will learn about conventional frame hive beekeeping. You will also learn about top bar beekeeping and why you should consider keeping your bees in a top bar hive.
You will learn about bees. You will learn how to make your own hive, where to source bees and how to manage the bees in the hive.
You will learn how to harvest and extract the delicious honey and package and label your honey for sale.
You will learn about beeswax. You will learn how to render wax combs into wax blocks. You will learn how to filter your wax and use it to make simple candles and beeswax polish.
The course will take you right through the whole process from the timber in your shed to building the hive. Then on to getting bees, managing then bees to harvesting and packing the honey and using the beeswax.
By the end of this course and associated assignments you will be a beekeeper!
The course contains over 11.5 hours of video lectures and practical demonstrations and is organised into the following sections:
In Section One we introduce this course and beekeeping. We considered issues such as how to get the most from the course, who can become a beekeeper, the benefits of bees and beekeeping and the challenges in starting any new project.
In Section Two we look at the broad approaches to beekeeping and help you identify which approach might interest you.
Section Three look at the bee colony and the occupants of the hive. We also looked at the life cycle of the honeybee and the beekeeping year.
Section Four looks at types of bee hives and other beekeeping equipment. There were a number of activities such as to choose the type of hive you want to start with and identify local bee equipment suppliers. We also have an optional activity to make a simple top bar hive.
Section Five is a pivotal section to establish an apiary site and to acquire basic equipment and bees. Getting your first colony of bees is a game changer. The bees themselves become your teacher! This is the point where you became a beekeeper.
Section Six looks at basic bee management. We look at issues such as the principles of bee management, how to inspect a colony of bees, bee health, swarm control and feeding bees.
Section Seven looks at bee products and in particular honey and beeswax. In section seven you will produce some wonderful bee products to share with friends and family.
Who this course is for:
- Those who want to start beekeeping as a new hobby in spring 2022
- Those interested in starting beekeeping in a natural way
- Those interested in starting beekeeping in a simple and low cost way
- Those interested in producing delicious, natural honey for their own consumption or for sale
- Those interested in learning how to process and utilise beeswax
- Existing beekeepers who want to try out top bar hive beekeeping
Instructor
- 4.4 Instructor Rating
- 6,719 Reviews
- 32,932 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:
✅ Understand how AI, automation, and global trends are reshaping careers.
✅ Develop critical, creative, and strategic thinking to stay relevant.
✅ Build in-demand skills for the digital economy, from adaptability to problem-solving.
✅ Take control of your career with self-management strategies.
✅ Embrace lifelong learning to remain competitive in an ever-evolving job market.
? Join thousands of learners already preparing for the future!
My Expertise
? Futures Thinking – Anticipate industry shifts & adapt ahead of time.
? Future of Work – Navigate automation, AI, and changing job landscapes.
? Future Skills – Master essential skills for success in the digital economy.
? 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.
✅ A Unique Perspective – My diverse expertise allows me to connect ideas across industries, helping you break out of siloed thinking and become more adaptable.
✅ Sustainability & Innovation Insights – Whether it's future work trends or sustainable practices like beekeeping, my courses blend technology, environment, and career development.
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.
? See you in class!
Dr. Thomas Carroll