Senior Florists use creativity and knowledge of plants and flowers to design and assemble floral displays. These can be sold through shops and other retail outlets to be sold to the general public, businesses, event organisers etc.
Flowers play a role in many of the key events in our life: births, romances, deaths and marriages, and they can defuse the trickiest of situations. The UK fresh-cut-flower and indoor-plant market is worth £2.2bn at retail level. We spend on average £36 a year on flowers.
Floral displays and gifts are created for many different occasions and celebrations including weddings, christenings, funerals and corporate events.
A Senior florist's duties usually include:
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assisting customers and clients to select suitable designs, flowers and plants for different occasions
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visiting venues or events to advise on floral displays and decorations
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demonstrating floral designs to the public
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ordering flowers and plants for different occasions
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making up bouquets and arrangements based on their own knowledge, ideas, and design books to meet customer requirements
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setting up displays at conferences or exhibitions
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maintaining a sufficient supply of fresh flowers, foliages, plants and sundry items using stock taking procedures.
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Senior florists may well become judges at competitions, having received to necessary training
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Senior florists may manage a shop on behalf of a business owner
A good level of customer service, communication and sales skills are a must in order for florists to maximise customer service, sales opportunities and assist customers with their orders and purchasing requirements. An extensive product knowledge including the seasonal availability of flowers and foliages will also be required.
Florists need to use technical skills, creativity and flair to make original designs. Caring for flowers and plants to keep them in the best condition and prolong their life is an important part of the job, so florists must have knowledge of the structure and needs of different flowers and plants.
A wide knowledge of indoor plants, may be required as these may be installed and maintained in offices/workplaces or sold as gifts.
The creation of floral arrangements for occasions such as weddings or funerals requires a high level of skill and detail often involving intricate techniques and artistic ability.
For florists who own or manage a shop there will be additional duties and business skills required such as staff management, administration and accounting.
Florists usually work a standard full time week during shop opening hours, usually Monday to Saturday, between 8am to 6pm. There may be times when they are required to start work early or work additional hours, especially during peak periods such as Valentine's Day and Mothering Sunday. The hours often vary for self-employed florists. Part-time opportunities are available.
Florists mainly work indoors in a work area or a sales area of a shop where flowers are kept in cool conditions. Some may be required to make deliveries, therefore a driving licence is useful. Some shops and stores provide uniforms
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live:
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starting salaries for florists may be in line with the National Minimum Wage, with a starting salary around £9,500
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experienced florists may earn up to £20,000 a year
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shop managers may earn £30,000 a year
- Identify and check the quality of in-coming cut materials
- Construct funeral designs
- Construct wedding designs
- Construct customised floristry designs with medium
- Assemble tied floristry designs
- Display stock to promote sales to customers in a retail environment
- Give mentoring support
- Delegate work to others effectively
- Help customers choose products in a retail store
- Keep products available and maintain their quality in a retail environment
- Establish effective relationships with customers
- Planning and preparation for work
- Initiative
- Attention to detail
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Business and Selling Skills
- Management / Leadership Skills
- Planning / Organizing Skills
- Work in a team / with others
- Customer Care / People Skills
- Mediation / Negotiation Skills
- Project Management Skills
- Instruction / Training Skills
There are a variety of qualifications and training courses that can help you:
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find employment
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improve your current skills
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gain promotion
To find out more click the relevant country button:-
Qualifications and training - England
Diploma in environmental and land-based studies
The Diploma in environmental and land-based studies available at Levels 1, 2 and 3 may also be an advantageous when applying as a Florist. These new Qualifications for young people focus on practical skills, knowledge and understanding in environmental and land-based studies and will prepare young people for a career, an apprenticeship or further study (at college or university) within the sector. The Level 2 Qualification, the Higher Level Diploma is equivalent to 7 GCSE's grades (A*-C).
In England, the Diploma in environmental and land-based studies will be available nationally from 2013. However, from 2009, it will be available in a number of different areas of the country.
You can find out more from the following websites:
Diplomaelbs
Direct.gov
Apprenticeships
An Apprenticeship and an Advanced Apprenticeship are available in Floristry. There are no set entry requirements for these Apprenticeships. You just need to be living in England and not taking part in full-time education. Apprenticeships are open to all age groups (above 16yrs) whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career.
The apprenticeships include the following basic qualifications:
An Apprenticeships and an Advanced Apprenticeship are available in Floristry. The apprenticeships include the following basic qualifications:
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An appropriate Diploma in Work Based Floristry (previously National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)) at either Level 2 or 3
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Key Skills
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Level 3 Certificate in Floristry (Advanced only)
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Emergency First Aid, additional optional unit from the NVQ and floristry skills competition work (Apprenticeship)
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Emergency First Aid, 2 additional optional units from the NVQ or legislative or occupational qualification as appropriate (Advanced only)
Further information on apprenticeships in Floristry can be found on the Apprenticeship website.
Further and Higher Education Courses
Academic requirements will vary according to the level of course you wish to undertake. GCSEs (grades A-E) in subjects like English, maths and arts and crafts are useful. Relevant skills and experience including previously attained qualifications, numeracy and literacy skills may be taken into consideration.
A variety of relevant courses/qualifications are available including:
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Advanced National Certificate in Floristry
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BTEC First Diploma in Floristry
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BTEC National Certificate in Floristry
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BTEC National Diploma in Floristry
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BTEC National Award in Floristry
Diplomas in work based Floristry and Floristry Business Management are also available for study (previous NVQ titles).
For a full list of qualifications available and HE/FE providers check out either the Landex (Colleges specialising in land-based courses), UCAS or fdf websites
Other training
Once someone has worked for some time as a florist, they may take the Society of Floristry professional qualifications:
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Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry
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Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry
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Foundation Degree - Floristry
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BA (Hons) Degree Floristry.
Although it can take as little as two years to achieve a HNC or HND in many industries, typically it can take a skilled florist 5-7 years to achieve full professional status as a qualified florist due to the range and depth of skills that a professional florist needs to master. Therefore it is not usually possible or recommended for trainees to start their training at level 4 or 5 without prior experience.
The British Florist Association is the trade association responsible for florists in the retail sector and can also provide training advice.
Useful Links:
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Lantra CourseFinder - finding the right course isn't always easy but with over 8,000 courses from over 600 training providers in England.
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Landex - find a land-based college course near you
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Edexcel - Tel: 01204 770 696
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City & Guilds - Tel: 024 7685 7300
It is important to:
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enjoy providing a high standard of customer care
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be enthusiastic and creative about working with flowers and plants.
There are an estimated 8,400 floristry businesses within the UK, employing around 28,000 people. Most shops are small business employing less than five people, although some are part of small chains. There may be both full-time and part-time opportunities.
Most florists work for or operate a small business or are self-employed. A few large venues, event organisers and undertakers may employ their own florists.
Floristry businesses are often linked together by large 'relay' companies who organise flowers to be made up and delivered by a local florist in their network, regardless of where the flowers are ordered.
There are no set academic requirements to become a florist, although a qualification in floristry may be an advantage. Experience of working in a florist shop may also be useful in obtaining employment. It may be possible to enter this career through a floristry apprenticeship programme.
Employment opportunities can be found in the following places:
Websites:
Floristry jobs are often advertised in shop windows, local newspapers and Jobcentre Plus offices. Also colleges providing floristry courses will have links to businesses.
Magazines and Journals(Some may be priced):
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Florist & Wholesale Buyer
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Fusion Flowers
Senior florists with the necessary practical and business skills sometimes become self-employed by opening their own business.
With experience, senior florists may become freelance consultants for a variety of businesses, teachers or professional demonstrators.
For further support and information on careers in the Floristry industries you can contact the Lantra Connect Service:
Tel: 024 7669 6996 or e-mail floristry@lantra.co.uk
You can also find additional information from the following organisations and publications:
Industry Information
Publications:
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Opening a Florist Business (British Florist Association)