The benefits of being professional – accreditation
Garden centres, production nurseries and growing media suppliers can all benefit from meeting a standard, being independently assessed, demonstrating professionalism, gaining promotional advantages and regularly getting help with business improvements. With this in mind, the nursery and garden industry carries out two accreditation programs, the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme, Australia (NIASA) and the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme (AGCAS). In addition, individuals who work in the nursery and garden industry can gain professional recognition through the Nursery & Garden Industry Professional Program (NGIPP).This Nursery Paper provides an outline of these accreditation and professional recognition schemes as well as detailing some of the benefits that businesses and individuals have already gained from them.