Floristry Qualifications and Training

The most common way of becoming a florist is to gain on-the-job training, which can lead to an NVQ or SVQ in floristry at levels 2 and 3.

To find a job, you will first need to prove your ability and interest. This can be done in various ways:

• Attending courses in flower arranging or basic floristry at a local college
• Joining a local flower arranging club
• Or perhaps work for a florist on a voluntary or part-time basis. If you are still at school, perhaps a work experience placement can be arranged.

The National Association of Flower Arranging Societies (www.nafas.org.uk) will carry details of local flower arranging clubs and societies.

If you wish to work in a florists, bear in mind that it might be quite difficult to find work, as most florists have very few employees, and so it may be difficult to find vacancies. Young people aged 16-24 may be eligible for an apprenticeship, though again it may be difficult to find a shop willing to take you on.

You can instead opt to train at a college, either full or part time. The courses tend to be found at colleges specialising in agriculture or horticulture, though this is not always the case. There are a number of qualifications you can take towards floristry. Some of them require experience of previous floristry; almost all require GCSE or equivalent grades, though mature applicants may be considered on experience alone.

Qualifications available include:

• City & Guilds Certificate in Land-based Studies (Floristry option) - level 1, covers basic practical skills
• City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 Certificates in Design and Craft (flower arranging option) - concentrate on craft skills and flower design rather than commercial aspects
• City & Guilds/NPTC Level 2 National Certificate in Floristry (Professional Floristry) - covers practical floristry skills
• EDEXCEL Level 2 BTEC First Diploma in Floristry - covers basic knowledge and practical skills
• City & Guilds/NPTC Level 3 Advanced National Certificate in Floristry (Professional Floristry) - covers intermediate knowledge and skills
• EDEXCEL Level 3 BTEC National Award in Floristry (Design) or Floristry (Business)
• EDEXCEL Level 3 BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Floristry.

There are also some courses offering relevant skills, but do not offer any qualifications. The Flowers and Plants Association website (www.flowers.org.uk) offers a list of colleges and courses.

Training

If you are lucky enough to gain some on-the-job training, you will be trained in a shop by an experienced florist. You will learn shop procedures, such as cashing up, taking money, selling skills and customer service, as well as practical matters such as principles of colour and design and arrangement techniques.

You may also attend college on a day release or part-time basis, in order to work towards formal qualifications, usually NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in floristry, or possibly one of the courses listed above.

Once you have become an experienced florist, you may wish to gain the Intermediate Certificate of the Society of Floristry (ICSF). To do this, you will need to pass examinations on the theoretical and practical aspects of floristry and the industry. After you have successfully completed the ICSF, you can opt to take the National Diploma of the Society of Floristry (NDSF), the highest floristry award in the UK. Details of these qualifications can be found on the societies website (www.societyoffloristry.org).

The Society of Floristry is a professional membership organisation. Members may be listed in their directory, though have to fulfil certain criteria to be listed.

Some colleges and universities offer higher education courses in floristry, either at BTEC foundation degree level, or at a BA (Hons) degree level. UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (www.ucas.ac.uk).