Hive Side Training for UK Beekeepers
Expert-led regional training sessions designed to support the next generation of bee farmers.
Hive Side Training
Supporting the Healthy Bees Plan 2030
The Hive-Side Training (HST) programme is a government-funded initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and sustainability of the UK beekeeping industry.
Through this contract with the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Bee Farmers’ Association is providing regional, hands-on sessions across the country to improve bee health and management standards.
Expert Instruction:
Learn directly from 20 regional trainers.
Practical Learning:
Intensive sessions focused on real-world hive management.
Regional Access:
Training available at multiple locations to ensure local availability.
The Booking Process
How to Secure Your Place:
To ensure attendance and fair access, the programme operates a returnable deposit scheme.
- Select Your Session: Browse by region and date to find a local trainer.
- Register Your Details: Provide your contact information and required DEFRA data (such as CPH and SBI numbers).
- Deposit Payment: A £20 registration and administration deposit is required at checkout, processed securely via Stripe.
- Attend & Refund: To ensure immediate reimbursement, your £20 deposit will be refunded in cash by your trainer upon successful completion of the hive-side session.
Meet Your Regional Trainers.
The Hive-Side Training (HST) programme is powered by a community of professional bee farmers who are passionate about sharing their craft. Our trainers don’t just teach from a book; they manage hundreds of productive colonies year-round, giving them a unique perspective on the challenges facing modern beekeepers.
What sets our trainers apart?
Strategic Excellence: Every session is aligned with government-backed biosecurity standards and the National Bee Unit (NBU) guidelines.
Hands-on Instruction: Training takes place directly in the apiary, focusing on “wet” skills and practical manipulations that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Local Insight: With 21 hubs across the country, our trainers provide advice tailored to the specific forage and climate conditions of your region.
Secure Your Government Funded Place
Professional Hive-Side Training is available at a subsidised rate for UK beekeepers. This programme is funded by the Authority under the Healthy Bees Plan 2030.
A returnable £20 deposit is required to confirm your attendance.
Have a Question?
To ensure the Healthy Bees Plan 2030 reaches as many beekeepers as possible, we operate a transparent booking and deposit system. Below, you will find information on how the regional training is delivered and how your returnable deposit is managed by the BFA.
Is this training really free?
Yes. The training is fully funded through the Healthy Bees Plan 2030. The £20 deposit is simply a security measure to ensure attendance and is returned to you in full after you complete the course.
What happens to my £20 deposit?
The £20 deposit covers administration costs and is refunded to you in cash by the trainer upon completion of the course.
Please note that as these costs are incurred upon booking, refunds for cancellations are at the discretion of the BFA and are generally not issued once the booking window has closed (7 days prior to the event).
How do I get my deposit back?
To ensure immediate reimbursement, your £20 deposit will be refunded in cash by your trainer upon successful completion of the hive-side session.
What information do I need to provide to book?
To comply with DEFRA reporting requirements, you will need to provide your contact details and, where applicable, your CPH or SBI numbers during checkout.