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Art and Design
FLORISTRY
Floral decorations are usually made up in a workroom or special section of a shop, so the general public doesn't often see what goes on. Flowers are kept in a cool room, so that they stay fresh.
Florist
Flowers have to be prepared before they are used in arrangements. For example, if there are any thorns on the stems, they are taken off The stems are then wired so that they will take the shape needed for a design. It takes a long time to prepare and wire a presentation bouquet. Even an experienced florist will spend up to two hours.
What the work involves
Florists are creative people. They use their own artistic and technical ability, imagination and experience to create designs which will use flowers to best effect. But it's not as gentle a job as it may seem. You actually need a lot of stamina. Flowers might look delicate, but handling them all day is tough on your hands, which are in and out of cold water all the time. And, as much of the work involves standing, it can be tough on the feet, too.
Customer contact
There's also the selling side of the job. Many florists' shops sell bunches of cut flowers, pot plants and artificial flowers. Especially in a small business, the florist is likely to be on duty in the shop for part of the day, and on making-up work for the rest of the time.
You need to be able to get on with customers, advise them, and help them to decide what sort of flowers and designs they want. Sometimes you will be dealing with people who are distressed say, if they are ordering flowers for a funeral of someone very close to them. An understanding and sympathetic manner is a big asset.
Outside work
A florist may also do 'outside' work. This means work away from the shop - for example, setting up arrangements in hotels and exhibition halls or for banquets and dances. On occasions, this sort of work may need to be done at weekends or other times outside normal working hours, as flower arrangements often have to be set up at the last minute to look their best. Other outside work involves trimming and maintaining window boxes and hanging floral baskets in office blocks, etc - but not all florists' shops undertake this sort of work.
Buyer
With a lot of experience, a florist may take on the job of buying the flowers for the shop, though generally it's the manager or shop owner who does this. Buying involves daily contact with markets and market gardeners, and a very early start - perhaps even 5 am! Buyers must have a good knowledge of the prices likely to be paid for various flowers according to season, and must be able to judge quality. Those florists' shops which operate as a sideline of a plant nursery do much less buying from outside suppliers, of course.
What it takes
You don't necessarily need exam passes to get started in floristry, but individual employers and colleges may require GCSEs, especially from school-Ieavers. Useful school subjects are art, craft and botany/plant biology. For the business and sales side of the work, English, basic maths and commercial subjects are useful. A florist needs to be able to cost a design - how many flowers will be needed, and at what price - in order to make up a bouquet of a certain value.
Besides these basics, you certainly need
- nimble fmgers;
- patience;
- colour sense and an eye for design.
Health is also important: an allergy to plants and pollen can cause problems. A driving licence would be very useful because of the buying, deliveries and outside work.
TRAINING
Training in floristry can take place either on-the-job with parttime and block release to college, or as a full-time college course, working towards nationally recognised qualifications.
National Vocational Qualifications in floristry at levels 1, 2 and 3, are generally available through work-based training and/ or part-time college attendance, although there are also some full-time courses.
City & Guilds offers its own National Certificate in Professional Floristry, and is for the florist who has already gained some initial skills. The certificate can be gained at college on a part-time or a full-time basis.
BTEC First Certificate, National Diploma and Higher National Diploma are available. These are generally full-time college courses.
The Society of Floristry is the professional body for florists and offers its own Intermediate Certificate and National Diploma for people working in the trade.
It is also possible to take a course at a private floristry school, lasting ITom a few weeks to six months. These courses can be expensive, though not all are, so choose carefully - there are very few anyway. Do note that private courses do not lead to nationally recognised qualifications, and beware of courses covering 'flower arranging' only, even if they lead to a certificate! Many employers will not recognise qualifications offered by private schools.
