Subject Focus: Flower Power
Have you ever bought a bunch of flowers and simply stuck them in a vase when you got home and thought no more about it? Someone, somewhere, put a lot thought into how they are arranged, which colour combination to use and which different flowers would look good when put together. Floristry is the art of creating flower arrangements in vases, bowls, baskets or any suitable container using cut flowers, grasses, foliage, or even fruit and herbs! Also, there are several styles of floral design like Japanese Ikebana, which is a more minimal and asymmetrical form of flower arranging,...

VQs Explained
Vocational qualifications can be very useful stepping-stones to many careers. With the ever-increasing numbers of students progressing to higher education, there is a mounting demand for flexible, highly skilled workers who do not necessarily need to have a degree or A-levels. Employers are advocating courses that equip young people with the skills and attitudes that build business, and are recruiting those who have work experience or occupational training. Qualifications can be classified into three types – general, vocational and occupational. General qualifications are focused on a...