Module 2 : Careers in Floristry

Transcription

1 Module 2 : Careers in Floristry In this module you will learn: About the job responsibilities of florists The business models available from which florists can choose The working hours involved About the requirements to enter into the trade The areas you need to cover in your effort to become a florist How to start a career in floristry How to advance in your chosen career The possibilities in the floristry industry Challenges you can expect in the business 2.1: Introduction Floristry as a career can be quite hard, but there are also some incredible rewards. Remember to just keep on trying, help others out, go above and beyond, be creative and personable, push your boundaries, be resourceful and overall simply enjoy yourself! You are up close with nature every single day, so do take time to remember and cherish this. On the whole, florists work out of a retail store in which they design, prepare and subsequently sell the creations

2 direct to customers. Taking orders over the telephone or via and sending out flowers for delivery is also a common part of the work. Many florists do choose to work from a stall where they can also tempt and take advantage of passing customers. Frequently florists will travel to special events like marriages, funerals, christenings and corporate events to create arrangements and displays. Florists can work for retail outlets or in their own businesses. The potential challenges, if you choose this career, will include much time spent at work in cool temperatures and very long hours on the popular yearly celebrations and holidays. 2.2: Long Hours Working fairly long hours means usually getting started very early in the morning in order to buy stocks of fresh flowers from wholesale suppliers or central markets. As a retail business, you would work shop hours. Florists are generally open to the general public from 8am 6pm, including Saturdays and possibly Sundays, and work extra hours to make sure that orders are completed on time especially at busy times such as Christmas and Valentine s Day. You could work at a shop or on an outside stall. Most of your time would be spent on your feet, either putting together flower arrangements on a bench in the workroom or out front dealing with customers. There may be requirements to travel to

3 make deliveries to customers or to collect from nurseries and other suppliers. A career in floristry could be physically demanding due to the early starts and much time spent on one s feet; there might also be occasional heavy lifting involved such as shifting pots and plants, urns or other display items which can be heavy. As in all retail work, interacting with the customers is one of the more rewarding but also more exacting facets of the work. Training is vital. Therefore after doing plenty of your research, undertake some voluntary work at a local florist if possible. This simplest method of gaining experience is getting your hands dirty and observing the techniques of senior florists. This will prove to be an excellent foundational experience, which undoubtedly will stand you in good stead for the future. College is, of course, also a great way to study and learn, but as floristry is a highly practical and labour intensive activity, being in the thick of things is the best way to get exposure and confirm if this is the right career choice for you. The most common way to become a florist is in fact the handson route; finding assistant work with a shop or a business and training on the job, while simultaneously completing a parttime work-based qualification course. There is no doubt that qualifications can put you at the head of the line when applying for jobs. 2.3: Common Entry requirements

4 The well-worn entry into this career is the hands-on route, with an established florist who trains you on the job. To find that position, you will definitely be required to naturally have a very keen interest in floristry, and good customer relation and care skills. Previous experience in retail will be useful, though it is not essential, and this experience is also gained on the job. One can study and learn many of the requisite skills needed for floristry by a number of routes, for example: Undertaking a floristry course at the local college. Finding and joining a flower arranging society locally. Seeking an opportunity to assist as a volunteer in a florist s shop. A qualification in floristry may certainly lead to excellent job satisfaction while creating opportunities for an interesting and worthwhile career. If you are very interested in learning to a much fuller extent regarding floristry, then perhaps an intensive course is right for you. Such courses are very practical. You will develop techniques and skills in floristry and with a range of flowers. You will also attend theoretical sessions that help you in building up a portfolio of evidence, which will ultimately lead to a Level 1 qualification in floristry. 2.4: Apprenticeships Aimed at young people, typically aged between 16 and 24 years. Apprenticeships enable you to gain critical work experience in

5 the floristry industry while also studying for a qualification which is recognised nationally. To learn more about apprenticeships see here: Get in Go far There are several educational options to choose from if you are thinking about a career as a floral designer. The cheapest option has been explained as becoming a volunteer to someone who is already great in floristry. This will really help you to figure out whether you wish to have a career in floral design or not. The second cheapest method is a floral design course via a college, adult learning centre etc. This offers you all the basics and explains how to search for an apprenticeship position. For those considering floristry as a second career, it may be a particularly good opportunity for it would take much less time. FACT Experienced florists can expect to get a salary in the range of 16,000 and 20,000 a year. The minimum wage for an apprentice is 3.70 Source: National Career Service and

6 2.5: Advancing Your Career The opportunities for advancement of one s career in the retail floral industry are quite often limited, so competition can be stiff, which will bring out the best in you. A mix of on-the-job training, study of the basic floral design skills, along with a course of formal education, should establish a decent foundation upon which to build. Career Possibilities in the Floristry Industry Florist or Manager in the retail sector. Floral designer for external locations, events or weddings etc. Working in the holiday and leisure industries of the UK and abroad. The teaching, assessing and demonstration of floristry. Self-employment and Freelance work and commissions. Shop owner Part-time, self-employed. Internet based Specialised Work. Event promotion etc. On the whole, floristry is a job or a career that one enters for the love of it, not with the goal of becoming a millionaire. It is only a select few who reach the big time. For example, a junior florist in London may expect to earn around 15,000, and that is after training and with experience. Clearly the possibilities are greater if one sets up in business by yourself, commensurately the risks are much higher too. But, setting up in business is perhaps the only way to make mega money. Many florists work out of vans to minimise their costs and others work from warehouses and garages.

7 Dirty buckets, cold water and very early mornings aside, whatever else happens in the world, people are not going to suddenly cease dying, being born and getting married, therefore once you are in, it can become a very fail-safe profession for you with long-term security of your expertise. 2.6:The Career Challenge When all is said and done, working with plants and flowers is a very challenging profession which necessitates patience, tenacity, and the development of one s creative ability. It may also at times be polarising, insofar as everyone has a different perspective or opinion on what a floral arrangement should be, or the flowers, or what the colours should be. However, evolving as a floral designer allows one to connect evermore with nature s wonder, to create art, as well as become commercially valuable to clients in one s region. Floral designers may specialise in events or banquets, or open their own shop for everyday occasional bouquets and cut flower arrangements. The options are many, and the demand is always there for a talented person with a unique eye for floral visions. FACT

8 According to research, Gardeners and Florists have the highest job satisfaction of 90%. 87% of the participating florists said they loved going to work every morning and were happy with their job. Source: City & Guilds Module Summary Lessons learned A career in floristry is not an easy one. It takes plenty of dedication and hard work to make the career work, but all the hard work is well served as the job is a very satisfying one. A florist can work as a retailer or as a wholesaler of flowers and flower designs. Though a college course is not essential, it does go a long way if you have a certification in Floristry or any of the other related fields. You need to have a flair for the art to become a florist. To become a successful florist, your creations need to be innovative, attractive and appealing. When studying to become a florist, you can expect to learn several topics, including learning and identifying various flowers and plants as well as adequate communication skills. The career possibilities are many in the industry, provided you have the skills.

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