Becoming a Florist.

A florist needs to have a good knowledge of plants and flowers and ideally have a creative flair to enable them to make up bunches of flowers, as well as wreaths and wedding bouquets. Florists work with a variety of different flowers and materials and this might include dried flowers, cut flowers, pot plants, gifts and decorations.

A florist will have a range of day to day duties and tasks. They will help customers to select suitable flowers for their needs, make up arrangements of flowers whether that is by their own design, that from books or something specific that the customer has requested. They will also advise customers on the best way to care for their plants and flowers, make up displays of wire flowers and possibly take displays to various exhibitions or conferences. They will probably also deliver flowers to customers. If a florist chooses to run their own business there will obviously also be the additional task of running a business and all the things that go along with this.

Most people that wish to train as a florist will do so 'on the job' and take relevant NVQ qualifications along the way. To train to become a florist you need to show that you have an interest in the role and a flair for arranging flowers. A good way to do this is to try to get a place on a course (often run at a local college) or help out in a florists shop.

It is also possible to attend start floristry training at college either full time or part time rather than do on the job training, and then look for a job when you are qualified.

Florists will usually work normal shop hours. Depending on level of skill, experience and responsibility a florist could earn between 16,000 and 25,000 pounds per annum.