Florist
What is the work like?
Florists use their creativity and knowledge of plants and flowers to design and make up flower arrangements, bouquets and wreaths. They work with all kinds of flowers and display materials, including cut flowers, pot plants, dried and artificial flowers, gifts and decorations.
As a florist you would:
- help customers to choose suitable flowers and plants
- make up bouquets and arrangements based on your own ideas, design books and your customers' requirements
- prepare and wire flowers for formal displays
- advise customers on how to look after the flowers or plants they buy
- set up displays, for example at conferences or exhibitions
- deliver orders to customers.
If you run your own business you would also keep accounts and carry out other administrative tasks.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
The most common way to become a florist is to look for relevant work and train on the job, often working towards NVQs in Floristry at levels 2 and 3.
To find work you will need to be able to show that you are interested in floristry and have the potential to be good at it. Some ways of doing this are:
- attending courses in flower arranging or basic floristry at a college or adult education centre
- joining a local flower arranging club
- looking for opportunities to help out at a florist's on a voluntary basis.
See the National Association of Flower Arrangement Clubs website for details of local clubs.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Instead of on-the-job training, you could attend a full- or part-time course before looking for work. You can do courses at various levels, depending on the qualifications or experience you already have. These include:
- NPTC Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Studies (Floristry option)
- City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 Certificates in Design and Craft (Flower arranging option)
- NPTC Level 2 National Certificate in Floristry (Professional Floristry)
- BTEC Level 2 First Diploma in Floristry
- NPTC Level 3 Advanced National Certificate in Floristry (Professional Floristry)
- BTEC Level 3 National Award in Floristry
- BTEC Level 3 National Certificate/Diploma in Floristry.
Visit the Flowers and Plants Association website for details of some of the colleges offering courses. See the Society of Floristry website for an overview of training options.
What further training and development can I do?
If you go straight into a job in floristry, you will be trained on the job by an experienced florist. You could also attend college on a day release or part-time basis to work towards NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Floristry.
You can also develop your skills by doing short courses which are run by some colleges and flower delivery services.
When you are experienced as a florist, you may be able to gain the following qualifications:
- NPTC Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry (HDF)
- NPTC Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry (MDPF).
Visit the Society of Floristry website for details of course providers.
A few colleges and universities offer relevant foundation degrees and degrees. For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward. To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
Where can I go for more information?
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Earnings for new entrants could be in line with the National Minimum Wage.
- Experienced florists can earn between £16,000 and £18,000 a year.
- Managers can earn around £25,000.
Earnings for self-employed florists vary depending on the size and location of their business.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work shop hours, including Saturdays and possibly Sundays. You may need to start work very early in the mornings to buy stock, and work extra hours to make sure orders are completed on time, especially at busy times such as Christmas and St Valentine’s Day.
You could work in a shop or on an outside stall. You would spend most of your time on your feet, either dealing with customers or working at a bench in the workroom where flower arrangements are made up. You may need to travel to wholesalers, nurseries, or to make deliveries to customers.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- creativity and artistic flair
- an understanding of the properties and needs of different plants and flowers
- the ability to explain your ideas to customers
- good practical skills
- a helpful, pleasant and tactful approach
- the ability to handle money and work out costs
- the ability to work under pressure.
What opportunities are there?
As a trained and experienced florist you could start your own business. You could also do further training, and move into areas such as freelance floral decoration, floral design, exhibition work, demonstration and teaching.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
Blooming Good Jobs
Flowers and Plant Association (jobs page)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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