Florist News

Hello

I was wondering if you could give me some advice? I have said previously I WANT to be a florist. Do they do any online courses I could do at work. Aslo do you think qualifications are as important today or are people more importantly paying for your design and flair??

IN BLOOM

Hi InBloom, the very 1st course I did was over the net with a school in Australia! It cost around £350 for 3 x terms and you were given 18 months to complete it (I did it in around 8/9 months). Each term had 10 lessons and you email photo's to the tutor for appraisal. At the end of the 3 terms there was an 'exam' made up of 5 x of the designs and a written test.

Looking back, some of the designs are possibly a bit old-fashioned but I felt I got a good grounding before going on to do City and Guilds. The good thing was making up a design in the evening and emailing the pic and by the morning I had an email back with comments. Its a good way to do it if you can't get to a class, but its much better getting personal interaction with a tutor/other students. If you want the details, pm me and I will let you have them.

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www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk

I wouldn't suggest an online course ..seems like an easy way to start off with bad habits to me

I personally would look for qualifications when employing staff, learning the basics are correctly are very important, it also helps in the battle of proving to customers we are qualified professionals you just any other trade. I wouldn't dismiss someone without qualifications but I might have them on a longer trial period.

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Sarah Creating Bespoke Wedding Flowers Cheshire

I totally agree with Sarah. You really need to know the foundations of floristry from the outset and I personally don't think this is something you would pick up from an online course.

You'd progress far quicker actually going to college, there are plenty of colleges that offer part time or evening courses. Some might even do taster days on a Saturday that'll give you a better idea of if it's something you want to do.

I agree with the Pussy and Sarah. Also, being a bit cynical i wouldn't trust a qualification where you had to email pics - there is no proof that you actually did the work or that the mechanics are up to standard (have memories of teachers ''dropping'' bouquets etc). I'm sure 99% of people are honest but ...

Good luck with what you decide to do. I couldn't imagine doing anything else now - well apart from taking a 5 year cruise around the world maybe!

hello In Bloom
As an employer I would not rate an online course as much as a course spent in college. I think that your point about qualifications versus design flair is a good point, you either have "it" or you don't, although I think a good foundation of basic skills goes a long way to help you produce work of a good standard. (you can tell a lot about a florists skill just from the workmanship of a design).
My advice would be to enrol on a night course or a one day a week at college rather than an online course. You will need the support and advice of a tutor to guide you through, you will be amazed by how in depth you can go in what you may think looks easy! Good luck.

Hi In bloom

The other things you get from attending a course is feedback and inspiration from the other attendees. On the first course I did there was one lady who had absolutly no design skill when she started, however she worked hard watched the other students and the amount of growth that lady managed in the first year was incredible. Even now I think of her with the utmost respect for her achievement.

yes, good point dragonfly. You'll learn so much more so muck quicker by having that one to one tuition.

Well, College every time for me. You will get so much out of it, make some great floristry friends too.
I've worked with 'self taught' people on a number of occassions, they are very confident at 'country' arrangements. But come running to me for anything wired or out of their comfort zone. I only did 2 years part-time and now dearly wish that I did all 4!
Good luck in what you decide to do.