Course overview
This apprenticeship offers an exciting route into a career as a professional florist. Developed by industry experts, it combines hands-on experience with structured training. You must be employed in a floristry business or a setting where floral design is practised (e.g. events, retail, studios).
You will learn both with your employer – on the shop floor, at events, or on-site installations – and through college-led sessions. Your training will include practical workshops, off-the-job classroom learning, assignments, portfolios, and regular progress reviews.
You will learn
- How to select, condition, store, and sustainably source flowers, foliage, containers, and accessories
- To design and craft a variety of floral arrangements
- Safe and hygienic use of tools (knives, scissors, wire, foam) and compliance with health and safety standards
- Safe manual handling and COSHH
- Different techniques for customer consultation
- How to provide sales advice and upsell
- How to provide services across physical and online channels
- How to plan, cost, quote, and manage floral projects from client brief through to delivery
- Record-keeping, inventory control, stock ordering, pricing and budgeting
- Professional behaviours such as reliability, creativity, teamwork and resilience
- Business essentials: e-commerce operations, point-of-sale (POS) systems, invoicing, and marketing strategies
Apprenticeship Standard: Florist Apprenticeship (ST0538)
English and Maths (if required)
You must be in full-time employment in a job role relevant to your studies. Apprentices are expected to have some prior basic knowledge and experience of the sector. If you are not yet employed, you can still apply to join the Capel Manor College Apprenticeship Talent Bank and be the first to hear about new roles as they become available. We will also keep you up to date on our offer of full-time courses, which might be the right opportunity for you, if you do not find an apprenticeship role before you are due to start your studies.
Successful completion of this apprenticeship will give you the required qualifications to practice as a qualified florist.
Funding for this apprenticeship programme is dependant on the size of your business and the apprentice(s) recruited. Large employers will fund the programme though their Apprenticeship Levy whilst smaller employers may need to contribute up to 5% per apprentice to the total cost of training. For further information, support with recruitment through the Capel Manor College Apprenticeship Talent Bank, or to discuss apprenticeship training for your existing team, please contact our Business Development Team.
