Beekeeper

Career path and progression

You could move into training or commercial bee farming and develop more hives over a wider area.

With qualifications in science, you could work in crop production and pollination research.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• observation and recording skills
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to work on your own
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• thinking and reasoning skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Beekeepers need to understand bee anatomy, life cycles, colony behaviour, and how bees reproduce – including breeding queen bees and managing starter colonies. They also need to identify diseases and pests that affect hives, and understand how pollination works within wider ecosystems.
• Environmental Science - Beekeepers depend on healthy local environments for their bees to thrive, including understanding which plants provide nectar and pollen at different times of year. They also play a key role in pollination and need to be aware of how pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change affect bee populations.
• Business - Beekeepers often run their own small businesses, selling honey, beeswax, and other products. They need to manage costs, price their products, market to customers, and potentially scale up from a hobby to a commercial operation.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Beekeepers use chemical treatments to fight diseases and parasites like varroa mites, and need to understand how these treatments work without contaminating honey. Knowledge of chemistry also helps when understanding the composition of honey, beeswax, and royal jelly.
• Design and Technology - Beekeepers build, inspect, and repair hives, which requires practical skills with tools and materials. Understanding how to design and construct sturdy, functional hive structures is an important part of keeping bees healthy and productive.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition - Beekeepers harvest, prepare, and bottle honey for sale, which involves understanding food hygiene and safety standards. Knowledge of how food products are processed and stored helps ensure their honey meets quality requirements.
• Geography - Beekeepers need to understand local landscapes, land use, and seasonal weather patterns to choose the best locations for their hives. Knowing how factors like climate, vegetation, and farming practices vary across an area helps them keep their colonies well-fed and healthy.