Setting the standards for Floristry training
Hugh Baird College’s Floristry team and their retail outlet L20 Flowers welcomed industry professionals, training providers and florists from across the country recently for a Floristry Standardisation Day.
The aim of the day was to assess marking criteria used in their floristry qualifications and set the benchmarks for standards of excellence. The event included updates on qualifications and an internal quality assurance exercise, enabling delegates to compare their own assessment methods and levels with those of other providers, as well as against examining guidelines.
Attendees at the event included Kate Whelan who was representing the British Florist Association and the Institute of Professional Florists. Kate said:
It is great to see so many training providers coming together to ensure that standards remain as high as possible in the floristry sector. We’ve had a very interesting and productive day.
As well as critiquing samples of work produced by Hugh Baird College’s floristry students, attendees were treated to lunch in the College’s L20 Restaurant, created and served by L20 Hotel School students and staff. They also received a goody bag from the UK’s largest wholesaler of floristry supplies and artificial flowers, Country Baskets. The wholesalers are long established supporters of Hugh Baird College and sponsored sundries for the event as well as leading a new product discussion.
Julie Pearson, International Floral Designer and Demonstrator, was involved with organising the event and said:
This was a good opportunity for colleges and centres to come together to share good practice and discuss how to take our industry forward. I believe everyone has taken something from today and we’re all keen to set another date for the next meeting. A great atmosphere was created and the food from the L20 Restaurant was divine!
Floristry Programme Lead at the College and Manager of L20 Flowers, Jackie Chapman, said:
We were keen to get as many employers, professional florists and training providers as possible involved in the Standardisation Day. Maintaining high standards in all of the qualifications we deliver is really important and benefits not only our students but also the industry professionals that will one day employ them. Working in collaboration ensures that the training we provide helps our students develop the skills, knowledge and experience employers need in their future staff. We’re hoping to make this event an annual fixture of our college calendar.
