The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has been formally approved as a Lantra Customised Provider, marking “a significant milestone in the Association’s ongoing commitment to raising standards, professionalism, and access to high-quality education across the golf greenkeeping industry”.
The approval recognises the Association’s capability to design, deliver and quality-assure industry-relevant learning that meets nationally recognised standards.
BIGGA is now approved to develop and deliver bespoke, accredited training and awards tailored to the needs of the golf and sportsturf sector.
The status ensures BIGGA programmes are externally validated, quality assured and aligned with employer and industry expectations, “providing learners and employers with confidence that training outcomes are meaningful, credible, and transferable”.
Kickstart Programme approval
The approval also sees BIGGA’s Kickstart Programme formally recognised as the association’s first accredited and approved award under the Lantra Customised Awards framework.
The entry-level programme has been designed as an accessible and supportive introduction to the fundamentals of golf course maintenance. It provides essential knowledge and practical understanding for those interested in pursuing a career in greenkeeping, as well as those already working in the industry who wish to validate their skills and knowledge before potentially progressing to formal Level 2 qualifications.
“Becoming an approved Lantra Customised Provider is a significant milestone for BIGGA,” said Rob Phillips, BIGGA Learning & Development Manager (Technical) ”and gives us the ability to formally accredit BIGGA-designed programmes that are shaped by the realities of modern golf course management and the needs of both learners and employers.
“Credible entry point”
“The accreditation of the BIGGA Kickstart Programme is particularly important, as it provides a recognised and credible entry point into the profession, while laying the foundations for clear progression through to apprenticeships and our recommended formal education pathway.”
Commenting on BIGGA’s new status as part of Lantra’s wider partnership working, David Fisher, head of industry partnerships for landscape and rural, added: “Accreditation of the BIGGA Kickstart Programme is an exciting step forward, as it provides a recognised and credible entry point into the profession, providing a Lantra-approved certificate for progression through to apprenticeships and further Lantra/BIGGA approved training and qualifications.”