There are two issues when it comes to formal recognition and accreditation of courses both on a national & international basis, anywhere in the world:
A. How it is viewed by professionals in the industry (in this case, the horticulture industry)
B. How it is viewed by government regulators.
Often these two things contradict each other.
The value of formal recognition is today increasinghly over rated.
Consider the following media release which the British Association for Landscape Industries (BALI) (released Jan 2015):
BALI challenges City & Guilds over removal of ‘plant identification’ from qualifications
BALI has just been made aware that plant identification has been removed as a mandatory unit from both Production Horticulture and Parks, Gardens and Greenspaces level two diplomas. Unit 225: Use and maintain pedestrian controlled powered equipment, is to be a mandatory unit for the Parks, Gardens and Greenspaces diploma.
BALI immediately challenged City & Guilds, the awarding body, to confirm if any industry consultation was behind the removal of the plant ID unit.
City & Guilds responded: “The changes to the 0065 units were made at the insistence of Lantra, the Sector Skills Council (SSC). City & Guilds is one of three awarding organisations that offer work-based qualifications in Horticulture. To ensure we were in line with the other organisations, and to continue including our qualification in the apprenticeship framework, we were required to make this change.”
Wayne Grills, BALI’s Chief Operations Officer, commented: “BALI believes this is a step in the wrong direction when plant identification is such a key skill of the practising horticulturist. We are working hard to demonstrate that this sector has a competent and skilled work force and this apparent de-skilling will not sit well with the industry.”
www.bali.org.uk
It is unfortunate, but the reality in today's world is that getting an accredited qualification and getting a good education are often very different things.
If you really want to be successful in your career, you should focus on learning what is most relevant, rather than being the most recognised.
