Q. What qualifications route did you take to realise your career?

I studied my GCSEs and A levels before achieving my City & Guilds in Floristry from levels 1 to 5. I received a silver medal for outstanding work at level 4. In order to gain further skills I successfully completed my City and Guilds Flower arranging qualifications and Balloon Artistry qualifications up to level 3 and of course gained my teachers and assessors qualifications.

Q. Please explain in detail what students will learn during your Floristry course.

The course develops skills and techniques in all aspects of Floristry design: wedding work, funeral work, hand tieds, flower arranging, display, interior landscape, retailing and business skills. The level 3 course is a progression course from the level 2 and prepares people to run businesses or manage retail florist shops.

Q. What’s the first thing you teach your students?

A floral design – students like to take something home to show they have made something on their first day.

Q. What qualities do you need to succeed in your industry?

Good floral design skills, good organisational skills, the ability to discuss customer requirements, suggest suitable designs to satisfy their requirements and be able to take orders, to enjoy working with people, and the ability to work on your own or as part of a team.

Q. What are the benefits of studying Floristry?

To study and achieve a commercial Floristry qualification allows you to have the opportunity to gain employment in retail or as an event decorator, work on the cruise ships, work abroad whilst travelling, eventually mange or own your own floristry business

Q. Please explain why you love your subject

The job is never boring – each day can be very different. I love the variety of different designs I have to make, you meet lots of different people – you decorate many different venues and you are doing something artistic.

Q. What skills do your students have by the end of the Floristry course?

Design skills, creative skills, retailing and business management skills

Q. What do students normally do once they’ve finished their course?

Work in the florist industry – many are offered jobs by their work placements.

Q. What’s the best way to go about getting a job in your industry?

Achieving a level 2 or 3 commercial floristry qualification and be able to provide evidence that you have completed work experience in a retail florist.

Q. Can you describe a typical day in your working life?

Each day is different.  You will make designs to satisfy orders for collection or delivery, prepare and condition flowers, create in store and window displays, complete general shop duties, serve customers and take orders.

Q. What advice do you have for people interested in studying a course like Floristry?

Apply as soon as possible; it is a very popular course as it prepares people not just to work in a florist shop but in all retail outlets.