AmericanHort, a US-based horticulture industry organisation, has introduced HortCred, a new micro-credentialing programme designed to quickly develop and validate job-specific skills across the green industry.

The competency-based initiative is aimed at enhancing workforce proficiency at every career stage while enabling employers to build a more capable team.

The programme responds to evolving production practices and operational demands that challenge horticulture employers in training and retaining skilled staff.

Courses are structured around digital badges, each including a short video lesson and a brief exam to ensure knowledge retention.

Participants can display badges on résumés, professional profiles, and internal training records. Most badges can be earned in three hours or less, with all content online and mobile-friendly.

“A skilled workforce is vital to the long-term health and competitiveness of the horticulture industry,” said Ken Fisher, AmericanHort president and CEO. “HortCred was developed to meet professionals where they are—offering short, focused learning experiences that build confidence and capability while serving as a potential on-ramp to our more comprehensive certification programs.”

HortCred offers progressive levels to support a range of roles: CORE for foundational skills and onboarding, PRO for advanced knowledge for experienced staff and supervisors, and LEAD, coming soon, for leadership development in team, financial, and operational management. Topic areas include irrigation, pest management, plant growth, plant nutrition, soils and substrates, and professional growth.

Currently, CORE and PRO badges are available for greenhouse and nursery employees, with CORE content also in Spanish. Additional programmes for garden retail, interior plantscape, and landscape professionals are under development.

HortCred serves as an entry point to AmericanHort’s broader certification programmes, forming a comprehensive learning ecosystem that supports continuous professional growth and strengthens the green industry workforce.

Explore how HortCred is reshaping workforce development in horticulture by reading the full article.