Onehunga High School
Florist Kaihoko Putiputi
Florists sell plants and fresh flowers and use them to design and create floral arrangements.
Florists may do some or all of the following:
- design and create fresh flower arrangements
- buy flowers, plants and decorations from sales representatives
- keep plants and flowers fresh and healthy
- help people choose plants and flower arrangements
- arrange delivery of flowers
- keep records and accounts
- attend markets and auctions and bid for flowers.
Physical Requirements
Florists need to:
- be reasonably fit
- have good hand-eye co-ordination
- not be allergic to pollen or flowers.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for florists includes:
- work that involves customer service or handling money
- window-dressing work
- work in plant nurseries.
Personal Qualities
Florists need to be:
- creative and artistic, with a good eye for colour, texture and detail
- confident and good at communicating
- adaptable
- skilled at planning and organising.
Skills
Florists need to have knowledge of:
- flowers and plants
- trends in floristry
- how to care for and arrange cut flowers
- ordering procedures
- sales and basic business skills
- occupational health and safety procedures.
Conditions
Florists:
- work regular business hours, but may also start early or work evenings and weekends
- mainly work in shops and retail outlets
- may work in cold conditions
- may have to travel to make deliveries, purchase flowers, or prepare arrangements.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a florist. However, business studies, painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking are useful.
Related Subjects
Florists can earn around $23-$24 per hour.
Pay for florists varies depending on experience.
- New florists can expect to earn the minimum wage.
- Florists with one to three years' experience usually earn up to $24 an hour.
- Senior florists with three to six years' experience usually earn $25 to $28 an hour.
- Florists who manage or own a florist business can earn $28 an hour or more.
Source: careers.govt.nz research, 2020.
Florists may progress to set up their own floristry business, or move into management roles.
Years Of Training
There are no specific requirements to become a florist as you gain skills on the job.
However, most employers prefer you to complete a qualification such as a New Zealand Certificate in Floristry (Level 2, 3 or 4).
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