Floristry

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Floristry is 69 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Floristry 90 credits.

Entry requirements

Level 2: Floristry

There are no specific entry requirements to enter the Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship in Floristry, however, there are qualifications or experience that will help learners understand

The sector prior to starting:

• Foundation Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Skills
• Level 1 Award in Practical Floristry Skills
• Level 1 Certificate in Introductory Floristry
• Level 1 Award in Creative Craft Floristry
• Level 1 Diploma in Floristry
• Voluntary experience within the floristry industry
• Have previously worked in, or are currently working within, the industry
• GCSEs/A Levels.

Progression opportunities onto the Floristry Foundation Apprenticeship also exist for adult learners who have experience within the Floristry industry or who are looking for a career change.

Level 3: Floristry

The floristry industry wants the entry requirements for the Apprenticeship in Floristry to be flexible, so therefore has suggested that one of the following should be completed:

• NVQ Level 2 in Floristry
• Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Floristry
• Level 2 Certificate in Floristry
• Level 2 Diploma in Floristry
• Level 2 Extended Certificate in Floristry
• Practical experience within the floristry industry
• 3 GCSEs (A*-C)/A Levels.

Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate or Pathways to Apprenticeships may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Apprenticeship, this will be assessed during an initial assessment allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where appropriate.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Floristry

Level 2: Floristry Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

47 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 2 Diploma in Floristry.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Floristry Foundation Apprenticeship is 585 over an 18 month period.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication

6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Floristry

Level 3: Floristry Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

68 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 3 Diploma in Floristry.

The total amount of learning hours with includes both on and off-the-job training for the Floristry Apprenticeship is 714 over a 24 month period.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication

6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Progression

The Floristry industry values the Foundation Apprenticeship as an entry route into the sector and in Wales have also developed the Apprenticeship to provide progression opportunities to ensure the future of the skills and knowledge within the industry.

Apprentices successfully completing the Foundation Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by progressing to the Apprenticeship in Floristry or other Further Education courses such as:

• Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Floristry
• Level 3 Certificate in Floristry
• Level 3 Diploma in Floristry
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Floristry
• Level 3 Award in Floristry.

Typical jobs apprentices will be able to progress onto on completion of the Level 2 Foundation  Apprenticeship will depend on the qualifications and experience gained during the Foundation Apprenticeship but could include: senior florist/florist manager.

For apprentices who wish to continue their development of skills and qualification beyond Level 3, opportunities exist to progress further into Higher Education courses such as a HNC/D, Foundation Degree or Degree (BSc). Examples of courses available across the UK include:

• BA in Professional Floristry
• FdA Professional Floristry
• FdA Commercial Floral Design.

Apprentices looking to progress in their employment from the Apprenticeship may be able to find managerial positions such as floristry manager.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

The floristry industry employees are mainly females (94%), which is significantly higher than the sector average of 32% (UK) female employees and Wales average at 29%. Whilst the industry does not preclude males from working in the sector, it is suggested that the imbalance is due to an out-dated perception of floristry employment as traditionally a female dominated industry despite many roles in floristry being carried out by males. It is interesting to note that Further Education enrolments onto Floristry related learning programmes are also mainly female at an average of 98% compared with work-based learning enrolments 100%. There are wide range of hands-on roles for people of all ages and abilities together with an increasing need for skilled managerial, high-tech and specialist people.

Lantra’s research predicts that 110,000 people will be needed over the next decade across the land-based sector. The floristry industry is generally made up of small businesses, many of which are linked together by large relay organisations such as Interflora, Teleflorist or Flowergram. Employers are looking for employees who show enthusiasm and have basic employability skills such as team working and communication skills.

There are no actual barriers to recruitment into the industry. There may be some physical restrictions in parts of the floristry industry with mobility or when manually lifting and carrying crates of flowers, although this should not prevent anyone working in the industry and not been seen as a barrier.

Resolutions and further work The units within the Diploma in Work-based Floristry have been written in collaboration with partner awarding organisations to ensure that they are free from bias, accessible to all apprentices and are applicable to a wide range of roles and businesses within Floristry.

Because of the diverse nature of the Floristry sector the Diploma in Work-based Floristry has been developed from these units to allow maximum flexibility and choice within the rules of combination.

Lantra will work with its Floristry Industry Group to promote the need for skilled employees. This will also take into account the need to increase male and ethnic participation in the industry. Activities will include:

• Increasing the awareness of the Floristry Level 2 and 3 Apprenticeship with specific promotions, in particular focusing on under-represented groups such as males
• Increasing marketing and communications highlighting the opportunities to a wide range of careers within and related to the sector
• Using Lantra’s careers web pages to inform careers advisors and apprentices of the opportunities available in the industry.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider/Employer to ensure that the requirements of this Pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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