Floristry Qualifications
As a floristry tutor, I frequently get approached by employers seeking to recruit staff, but unsure of how floristry qualifications compare. Likewise I find that students & trainees are often unsure of what courses are available or most suitable for them. The following guide is intended to highlight the key factors to be considered.
Training and qualifications are available from Level 1, through to Level 5, and trainees can start at different levels based on previous qualifications &/or experience. As a result there are courses to suit trainees from a wide range of academic abilities.
Level 1
Courses at Level 1 are intended to provide foundation skills in practical floristry and are ideal for those who are seeking a step by step course that leads them onto further training; whilst at the same time helping to build confidence & develop a range of basic floristry skills. Some trainees will be ready for ‘supported’ employment following completion of these basic floristry courses but may not be confident in the full range of practical tasks and are likely to need further training / support. Level 1 is an ideal starting point for non-academic school leavers and others.
Level 2
There are a wide variety of ‘level 2’ courses available. The range of floristry skills & knowledge developed increases in direct proportion to the duration & depth of the course studied. The most comprehensive ‘level 2’ courses such as NPTC / City & Guilds ‘National Certificate in Floristry’; or Edexcel / BTEC ‘First Diploma in Floristry’; or NVQ2 Floristry include general floristry skills, plus day-to-day retail skills. Some courses also support candidates with development of the ‘Key Skills’ that the job of a florist requires such as Communication, Numeracy, Working With Others & IT skills.
Level 2 courses are ideal for school leavers with GCSE’s but are also suitable for mature students seeking to develop day-to-day floristry skills. A trainee who achieves a full qualification at level 2 should possess good all-round practical floristry skills to a commercial standard and be able to cope with a variety of day-to-day tasks. They will be able to draw on their floristry training to adapt quickly to new tasks, and should have a good level of background knowledge. However they will not normally be confident with undertaking more complex tasks and may need significant support and guidance in the first few months of employment.
Level 3
The same principle applies as at level 2, in that full time courses tend to offer the most thorough training route, whilst part-time routes are able to combine floristry employment or work experience.
It is recommended that students progress from Level 2 courses to Level 3; however Level 3 courses generally include a larger element of business &/or supervisory skills and therefore require significantly more academic ability. Few level 3 courses are designed to focus on practical skills alone as it is normal for florists at this level to be taking on a wider range of skills and responsibilities within a business.
For students with good academic ability it is sometimes possible to undertake a Level 3 course with little or no previous floristry training, especially if the student has appropriate experience. Level 3 courses are available at fewer colleges and you may need to look outside your local area to find a suitable provider. Courses are suitable for those seeking to enter the industry & train for rewarding employment, perhaps initially as an intermediate florist, but potentially at supervisory or senior level within a business. Some level 3 florists will progress to level 4/5 and may become business managers, owners or tutors etc.
Again, it should be emphasised that college training at level 3 must be supported by appropriate industry experience in order to truly master the commercial skills of an intermediate florist.
Level 3 qualifications are intended to be a good indication of diverse floristry skills & academic ability and are a sound base for more advanced training at level 4.
Typical Level 3 qualifications include: City & Guilds ‘Advanced National Certificate in Floristry’; Edexcel / BTEC ‘National Diploma in Floristry’; and Modern apprenticeship / NVQ3 Floristry (work-based).
Level 4 / 5
These are ‘Higher Education’ courses and are less widely available than courses at Level 3 or below. Often candidates will need to travel outside their local area to find a college offering training at this level. Courses at Levels 4/5 are suitable for those with strong academic skills and normally require significant floristry experience. Training combines advanced practical skills with business, management, & design. (See also Professional Qualifications, below…)
Entry requirements for level 4/5 courses are rigorous & it is normally necessary to have achieved an A’ level standard education or equivalent floristry training. However, progression is often possible from some Level 3 courses for those who achieve high grades and entry requirements for mature students are normally more flexible and consider their previous experience / potential ability to succeed.
Although often not a stated requirement, level 4 students should still expect to combine their studies with suitable work experience in order to apply their skills, and enhance their career prospects on completion of their studies.
Typical students completing courses at Level 4/5 will be capable of assuming positions of responsibility within a business. Some may wish to enter the retail industry as senior staff or managers, or may even start their own business, whilst others may specialise or diversify into allied professions, e.g. teaching, buying, corporate services, event management etc.
Level 4 qualifications include HND / HNC / Foundation Degree awards. These are available full or part-time and generally take two years to complete.
It is possible to ‘top-up’ a ‘Foundation Degree’, to a full Degree at level 5; this normally involves a further year of study, although relatively few colleges offer this at present.
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