Floral Design and Marketing M805030 (Full-Time)
Classes
 | August 24, 2010 |
MTWRF (8 am - 2 pm)
|
$2,437.00 / $1,415.00
| Tuition: |
$2,043.00
|
| Startup Costs: |
$1,415.00 |
| Fees: |
$18.00 |
| Insurance: |
$12.00 |
| Books/Supplies: |
$364.00 |
|
|
More Info |
Course Info
Length
9 Months (900 Clock Hours)
Schedule
Monday-Friday; 8 am-2 pm
(This program begins every nine weeks.)
Basic Skills Exit Requirements
TABE Test Scores: 9th Grade Reading, Math and Language
(In lieu of the TABE test, degreed applicants may submit proof of a U.S. college degree from a regionally accredited institution and complete the Application for Admission. Please click here to view a list of approved regional accrediting agencies.)
Program Description
This program prepares students to become floral designers, who create fresh and permanent flowers and foliage designs for a wide range of occasions and clients. It also teaches the management of a wide variety of floral operations. Floral Design and Marketing includes specialized classroom instruction and practice in basic and advanced floral design, marketing activities, and floral operation procedures.
Instruction is provided in design, sales and display along with merchandising, post-harvest physiology, and delivering floral products.
All design techniques and mediums are explored to achieve product excellence, all in compliance with current practices and methods used by today's best designers and entrepreneurs. All areas of the industry are explored with students in our campus floral shop so they have a realistic view of working conditions and demands placed on floral employees and entrepreneurs. Students gain knowledge and experience through this weekly activity.
Book and Supply Information
The following books and supplies are required for this program. All items listed on the fee sheet (see link below) are available at the Erwin Technical Center Bookstore. The ISBN number is located after each textbook. For the most current fee sheet, please contact the Student Services Office, Financial Aid Office or our Bookstore.
Floral Books and Supplies
Employment/Career Opportunities
Graduates are qualified to seek employment as floral designers or floral operations managers. They may seek employment in floral wholesale operations, become floral shop entrepreneurs, or seek positions with floral wire services and retail store display/merchandising departments, floral designers for interior decorators, and designers for event planners.
Salaries
Salaries for graduates range from $9.74 - $14.67 per hour.
Placement Rates
2006-07…………86%
2007-08…………100%
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills are taught in the Floral Design program?
All basic and advanced designed skills are taught in this program, including post harvest skills for cut flowers, display / merchandising skills, management/sales skills, and communication/computer skills.
What are the local job opportunities in this field?
Opportunities are usually available throughout Central Florida. We look to Erwin's Floral Design Advisory Committee, made up of community business members, to assist with job information throughout the Tampa Bay Area.
Which businesses, besides floral shops, hire graduates from this program? Graduates are hired at wholesale floral companies, silk flower retailers, wire service companies, department stores (display departments), grocery stores (floral departments), and craft stores (floral departments).
What are the physical demands of the job?
Florists should be in good health. They need to be able to stand for long periods of time, be able to bend, lift and carry merchandise.
What is the local starting salary in this field?
Most entry level employees start in the $10.00 - $12.00 per hour range with raises commensurate with skill level, production speed, and customer service skills.
What hours might graduates expect to work as floral designers?
Usually florists work an 8 hour full time shift (8am-5pm or 9am-6pm). Part-time hours and holiday hours increase due to business volume and vary with each employer.
What are the most important customer skills in the floral design business?
The most important customer skills in the floral design business are greeting customers with smiles and positive attitudes, strong sales/marketing skills and product knowledge, and good communication skills.
What personal qualities make for a successful floral designer?
Important personal qualities for floral designers to possess are to have good color/spatial skills and be artistically inclined. Floral designers should like to work with their hands, create things, work with flowers/plants, and like working with and being around all kinds of people.
Do students learn how to start their own businesses?
Yes, students are prepared to start their own businesses after gaining experience in the floral industry.
Where have graduates found employment?
Graduates have been employed by Publix, Sweet Bay, and Sam's Club Floral Departments, O.G. Carlstedt & Co. Wholesale Florist, Nordlies Wholesale Florist, Rainbow Flowers Wholesale Brokers, Michael's, Silk Gardens, Old Time Pottery, Silk Plants Plus, Cox-Feivelson Design Gallery, Floral Impressions, Inc., Jennie's Flowers, The Arrangement Florist, The Potting Shed Florist, Downtown's Florist, Bay Bouquet Florist, Whidden's Florist, and English Rose Florist (Brandon) and many other Tampa Bay Area wholesale operations and floral shops.
Is job placement available upon graduation?
Advisory committee representatives and teachers provide students with guidance and recommendations.
How can I learn more about this career field?
Click here for more information.