Professional Training in Beekeeping: A Cross-Country Survey to Identify Learning Opportunities

Raquel P. F. Guiné, Jorge Oliveira, Catarina Coelho (), Daniela Teixeira Costa, Paula Correia, Helena Esteves Correia, Bjørn Dahle, Melissa Oddie, Risto Raimets, Reet Karise, Luis Tourino, Salvatore Basile, Emilio Buonomo, Ivan Stefanic and Cristina A. Costa
Additional contact information
Raquel P. F. Guiné: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Jorge Oliveira: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Catarina Coelho: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Daniela Teixeira Costa: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Paula Correia: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Helena Esteves Correia: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Bjørn Dahle: Norwegian Beekeepers Association, 2040 Kløfta, Norway
Melissa Oddie: Norwegian Beekeepers Association, 2040 Kløfta, Norway
Risto Raimets: Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Reet Karise: Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Luis Tourino: Eosa Estrategia y Organización SA, 36202 Vigo, Spain
Salvatore Basile: Bio-Distretto Cilento, 84052 Salerno, Italy
Emilio Buonomo: Bio-Distretto Cilento, 84052 Salerno, Italy
Ivan Stefanic: Tera Tehnopolis, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Cristina A. Costa: CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: Habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental degradations pose severe challenges to beekeepers. Therefore, this sector needs to rely on updated information so that the intervening actors can deal with the problems. In this context, and assuming that professional training can greatly help those acting in the beekeeping sector, this work intended to investigate the gaps in the updated knowledge of beekeepers and how these can be filled through lifelong learning. The research was conducted in seven European countries (Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and Spain). The data were collected through a questionnaire survey translated into the native languages of all participating countries. The results revealed that the topics of highest interest are apiary health and pest control and the management of the colonies throughout the year. The beekeepers update their knowledge through family, complemented by professional training, with participants preferring in-person courses as well as, in the workplace or in internships. The learning methodologies they consider most useful are project-based learning and learning through gamification. The videos and paper books or manuals are particularly valued as learning materials, and practical exercises are considered the most helpful assessment format. Finally, considering the effect of sociodemographic variables on the learning experiences and preferences of beekeeping actors, it was observed that the country was the most influential of the variables under study. In conclusion, this work revealed valuable information that should be used to design professional training actions to help the professionals in the beekeeping sector enhance their competencies and be better prepared to manage their activities successfully.

Keywords: distance learning; mobile learning; professional learning; beekeeping; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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