Apiarist, Farmer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $27.01 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $32.22 |
| Top | $36.01 |
Interest in supervising and hiring farm workers; and in determining amounts and kinds of crops to be grown and livestock to be raised, and in purchasing farm machinery, livestock, seed, feed and other supplies
Interest in co-ordinating information to plant, cultivate and harvest crops; and in raising and breeding livestock and poultry
Interest in driving - operating and maintaining farm machinery, equipment and buildings
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Beekeeping duties vary with the seasons but, in general, beekeepers:
In winter, beekeepers regularly check colonies in wintering facilities, and repair and maintain hive boxes and equipment in preparation for spring.
Beekeepers use equipment such as special protective clothing, bee smokers, hive tools and carpentry tools. Commercial beekeepers also drive trucks and fork-lifts, and operate and maintain machines ranging from extractors and honey processing equipment to grass mowers and chemical sprayers (for controlling grass around hives). Beekeepers must use pesticides and antibiotics responsibly in their bee colonies.
In large scale commercial operations bee keepers may have different responsibilities depending on years of experience. For example,
Beekeepers are busiest in spring, summer and fall, and may work long hours in the summer. They may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
Beekeepers work outside in all kinds of weather. Although automation and mechanization have helped, the work often is repetitive, physically demanding and routinely may require lifting items that weigh over 20 kilograms.
Beekeepers must follow safety precautions and wear appropriate protective clothing to avoid injury to themselves or others when working with machinery, tools or hives. Appropriate hygiene practices must be followed to prevent or control the spread of diseases from hive to hive or the contamination of the hive products.
Beekeepers need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work.
Beekeepers must be knowledgeable about:
Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have:
Inexperienced beekeepers are advised to obtain related experience by working with established beekeepers. Anyone who has bees or beekeeping equipment is required to register annually with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
The Alberta Green Certificate Program offered through Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) is an apprenticeship-style training that combines hands-on farm mentorship with formal education.
The Green Certificate is a complimentary program of study available to students of all Alberta high schools. There are various specializations offered (for example, beekeeper production) at each level. Graduates of the Level I Green Certificate Program are certified as farm production technician and may earn up to 16 credits towards their high school diploma for each specialization completed. Level II (farm production supervisor) and III (agribusiness manager) Green Certificates are also available for those who are interested in advancing their career in the agriculture industry.
To participate in the Green Certificate Program, trainees must be at least 15 years of age and enrolled in grade 10, 11 or 12. The training takes approximately one year, allowing trainees to experience all of the seasons on a farming operation.
For more information about the program and admission requirements, students may follow the Green Certificate Program link above or contact their school representative to connect with the Green Certificate regional coordinator.
To use some pesticides, beekeepers must hold a pesticide applicator certificate. Completion of the Farmer Pesticide Training Certificate course through Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is recommended.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Large beekeeping operations often employ beekeeping assistants (apiary harvesters and workers) over the summer months. Some employ assistants year-round. There is considerable demand for beekeeping assistants in Alberta due to a growing demand for hives to pollinate seed canola in southern Alberta.
Beekeepers may start their own businesses or buy an established apiary. Setting up a commercial beekeeping business requires considerable capital investment in addition to the cost of land.
Beekeepers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0821: Managers in agriculture. In Alberta, 97% of people employed in this classification work in the Agricultural (PDF) industry.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $14.00 | $48.08 | $27.01 | $23.46 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $53.85 | $32.22 | $27.96 |
| Top | $17.50 | $61.54 | $36.01 | $33.23 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $100,745 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | $73,866 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $73,770 |
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.agric.gov.ab.ca
Alberta Beekeepers website: www.albertabeekeepers.org
Canadian Honey Council website: www.honeycouncil.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 08, 2016. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.