Alison’s new online beekeeping courses empower learners to support pollinators and sustainable ecosystems.

Alison, the world’s largest free online empowerment platform, has announced the launch of a dedicated beekeeping learning path, or “vertical”, offering free online courses designed for absolute beginners through to aspiring apiarists. Developed by renowned British beekeeping expert Roger Patterson, these courses provide fundamental beekeeping principles and practical management techniques. They aim to promote biodiversity, sustainable living, and environmental education. This learning path is now available globally, empowering individuals to engage with pollinator protection, native flora preservation, and climate-conscious practices.

Why Beekeeping Matters: Combating Food Insecurity and Protecting Ecosystems

With food insecurity on the rise and pollinator populations in global decline, education around beekeeping and biodiversity is more urgent than ever. Bees play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems and agriculture. By offering accessible, high-quality environmental education, Alison aims to address the growing demand for eco-conscious skills that contribute to community sustainability and global food resilience.

While directly relevant to the European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), Patterson's beekeeping courses for beginners emphasise core practices in hive management, disease prevention, and sustainable harvesting that are adaptable to diverse climates and bee species worldwide, providing vital skills to establish and manage productive bee colonies and directly contributing to global food security, local livelihoods, and environmental health in areas most in need.

Alison's new learning path makes high-quality, practical beekeeping education available globally, empowering individuals to support local food production, contribute to biodiversity and explore new avenues sustainability.

Learn from a Master Apiarist

Alison's Beekeeping Vertical consists of three highly practical, CPD-accredited online courses. Beekeeping 101 delves into bee biology, the structure of wild and managed hives, identifying different bee types, and crucial considerations for hive placement. This course answers pressing questions for new beekeepers, including common pitfalls and the importance of handling bees safely. In Beekeeping 102, Patterson covers beekeeping equipment and hive types. Learn the significance of using smokers, protective gear, and effective methods to calm bees, equipping you with the practical knowledge for successful hive management. The final course, Beekeeping 103, explores the pros and cons of new versus second-hand equipment, delves into hive components like frames and foundations, and explains the merits of acquiring bees with or without combs.

Course tutor Roger Patterson is a lifelong member of BIBBA (Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association) and a prominent figure in British beekeeping. With over 60 years of experience, Roger managed as many as 130 bee colonies at his peak, and has an unparalleled depth of knowledge in hive management. He currently oversees 30-50 colonies for teaching and research, is the author of "Beekeeping: A Practical Guide" and runs one of the world's leading beekeeping websites. His expertise makes these courses ideal for serious aspiring apiarists, hobbyists, or anyone who wants to support local ecosystems.

Empowering Individuals to Transform Communities

The launch of these courses supports Alison’s mission to deliver job-ready skills and environmental literacy to learners worldwide, providing a direct pathway to impactful community support and potential self-employment. They will appeal to aspiring apiarists, local communities who benefit from increased pollination for crops and local honey production, and educators, activists, and gardeners who can integrate this content into eco-literacy curricula and enhance biodiversity by supporting pollinator-friendly habitats.

These courses are freely accessible through Alison’s mobile app and desktop platform, supporting flexible learning anywhere, anytime.

“Beekeeping offers a powerful, sustainable solution to some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today – from food scarcity to biodiversity loss,” said Catriona Cramp, Head of Publishing at Alison. “With Roger Patterson’s unparalleled expertise, we’re not just teaching about bees; we’re empowering individuals to become agents of change, cultivating both healthy ecosystems and resilience in their local environments.”

Resources

• Beekeeping 101 - https://alison.com/course/beekeeping-101-introduction-to-beekeeping
• Beekeeping 102 - https://alison.com/course/beekeeping-102-beekeeping-equipment-and-hive-types
• Beekeeping 103 - https://alison.com/course/beekeeping-103-acquiring-your-first-hive-and-bees
• Sustainability Courses on Alison

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About Alison

Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 45 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of July 23, 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively — at zero cost.

The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 5,500 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.

For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS), enabling unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workforce Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing, English Language Proficiency, as well as Numeracy, Verbal and Abstract Reasoning tests.

To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.

In 2025, Alison is launching a Global Recruitment Service to connect employers directly with skilled, motivated learners. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with full Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.