Self-test: Is the "Florist with federal certificate" course the right one for me?
Test here whether the job profile "Florist with a federal certificate" suits you and whether a part-time preparatory course is the right path for you.
What is everyday working life like in florist jobs?
As a florist with a federal certificate, you work in flower stores, garden centers or garden departments. This responsible role involves designing bouquets, flower arrangements and other plant arrangements - usually including management or department management and staff management. This involves receiving customer requests, planning orders and implementing them efficiently and within budget. For occasions such as weddings, funerals and celebrations, suitable workpieces or entire decoration concepts are developed, including advising customers on style, colors and plant and flower selection. In the store, the florist designs sales rooms and shop windows to create a pleasant and inviting shopping atmosphere. The florist's field of activity also includes business management tasks (purchasing, costing, bookkeeping, etc.) and the implementation of marketing measures such as an in-store reading.
The following areas of work are typical in florist jobs:
- Plant or department management (possibly as a deputy)
- Business organization and administration incl. orders
- Definition of the appropriate assortment of flowers, plants and accessories
- Ensure purchasing incl. goods inspection
- Price calculation and determination
- Planning demanding orders
- Coordinate work processes and ensure efficient implementation of orders
- Preparation of invoices and bookkeeping
- Make salesrooms and shop windows attractive and inviting
- Plan and implement marketing measures, sales promotions and advertising events
- Incorporating the latest trends in architecture, fashion and art
- Employee management
- Check the implementation of floristic working techniques
- Work planning
- Ensuring a good working atmosphere
- Apprenticeship training
- In customer service
- Recording the wishes of customers
- Clarify specifications such as technical requirements, room architecture and budget
- Create and suggest flower and decoration concepts as required
- Educate people about natural materials that conserve resources
- Creation of bouquets, flower arrangements and plant arrangements
- Ensure budget compliance
Question 1:
Do the activities meet your expectations? Can you imagine working in florist jobs?
If you like the actual job of a florist, you are on the right track. The next question is what type of training is right for you to acquire the relevant skills.
Even if you don't like all of the activities as a florist, it could still be the right job for you. In almost every job, there are also tasks that are less interesting. However, the tasks should arouse your interest and appeal to you.
Alternatively, you can look at descriptions of similar job profiles, as another degree may suit you better:
- Retail trade specialist (BP)e.g. in the garden center
- Interior design planner (BP)
- Gardener (BP)Specialization in landscaping and horticulture or production
- Agricultural business management assistant (HF)
- Gardening and landscaping technician (HF)
If you don't like the activities, you should find out which parts of the tasks as a florist you don't like so much. Is it the customer service? Or the creative work as a florist?
Depending on your answer, you could look in job advertisements to see if there are jobs with a different distribution of tasks. Or you can take inspiration from other similar jobs. If you are generally unsure about what you want to do, we can help you with ourAdvisorhelp you find your own calling.
Target group and skills: Who is the florist course and professional examination suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The florist course is aimed at the following people:
- Motivated florists who appreciate working with flowers and want to do more for the business
- Professionals from the floristry sector with the will to further their professional development
- Floristry professionals with a flair for colors and shapes
The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a florist:
- Enjoy nature, flowers and plants
- Interest in customer contact, trade and sales
- Creative talent and a sense for aesthetics and colors
- Leadership qualities, communication skills and a confident manner
- Business acumen, numeracy and math skills
- Organizational talent and customer orientation
- Creativity and manual dexterity
- Sense of responsibility and reliability
- Ability to work in a team and willingness to work irregular hours
- Good health and no allergies
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for florist training?
If you belong to the target group and you have the necessary skills and characteristics, then the florist apprenticeship is still an option for you. The degree still seems to meet your expectations.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate as a florist. Entry opportunities in the area ofFloristryare numerous and may offer alternative educational opportunities that may interest you even more or suit you better.
- If you do not have the necessary skills and qualities for the job description of a florist, you will probably not be good and satisfied in such a position. Look for alternative training courses in the retail trade.
- If you are still unsure about your professional development, contact experienced people such as career advisors for targeted advice or coaching:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination in floristry:
The following prerequisites are required for admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a florist:
- Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) as a florist or equivalent qualification
and
- at least 2 years of professional experience in floristry
or
- Completed vocational trainer course or equivalent certificate
You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination in floristry.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the professional floristry examination? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start your florist training at the earliest possible date. You will then be admitted to the professional examination.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience is sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theSwiss Florists Association.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the florist course with professional examination, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in the floristry industry, ask them for help with your job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination for florist training with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are unsure whether your qualifications and professional experience are sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theSwiss Florists Association.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for florists, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in the retail sector, ask them for help with your job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination for florist training with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the florist apprenticeship:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the professional certificate as a florist is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, theSwiss Florists Association.
The learning content of the florist training is divided into the following topics:
- Floristry
- Floral design (work exercise, specialist practice)
- Design and form theory
- Color theory
- Space acquisition and design
- Building styles, architecture and art history (design, art, fashion)
- Material and product knowledge and technology
- Botany, botany and plant protection
- Marketing, sales, sales promotion
- Shop window and store design and product presentation
- Graphics, typography, advertising theory and visual communication
- Decoration planning, model making, presentation techniques
- Exhibition design, lighting
- Innovation and idea management
- Sales promotion
- Employee management
- Instruction
- Promotion
- Apprenticeship training
- Finances
- Industry-specific specialist calculation
- Quotations / Invoices
- Periodic financial statements
- Company organization
- Orders
- Work processing
- Management
Question 4:
Are you interested in the content of the training and would you like to acquire knowledge in the field of floristry?
Perfect, the content of the florist apprenticeship suits you perfectly. With the skills you have learned, you can score points on the job market and increase your salary prospects. You can now find out more about the structure and the concept of further training from the training institutes.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the florist training course, then this course is probably not the right one for you. Then take a look at other training and further education opportunities in the following areasFloristryandRetail tradethat suit you better due to the content taught.
Obviously the typical learning content for a florist course is not for you. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of floristry courses:
The costs vary depending on the provider and duration of the florist training. On average, you can expect these amounts for the training costs:
- Course fees:about CHF 6'000.- to CHF 9'800.-
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
Each participant who works in a member company of the sponsoring association "Schweizer Floristenverband" receives a contribution of CHF 4,000 from the training fund. - Examination fees:CHF 1'800.- (CHF 2'500.- as of 2024, material sponsoring of CHF 800.- from florist.ch)
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate once admission to the florist examination has been confirmed. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and intermediate diplomas, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the florist courses.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as florist training have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance around CHF 6,000 to CHF 9,800 for the florist course and CHF 1,800 for the federal examination?
The best. Here's a tip: If you are able to pay the full amount for the florist course in advance, many schools will give you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for florist training. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of the florist training. Or ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you can expect to pay for florist training. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs. Ask your school about the possibility of paying for the florist course in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort for florist training:
- The florist training, further education is classically structured (i.e. the professional examination covers all the skills to be assessed) and lasts 2 semesters while working. It comprises around 400 lessons.
- The teaching times vary depending on the provider of the floristry course. Classroom teaching usually takes place in block weeks (especially for practical training), sometimes supplemented with individual weekdays (for theory).
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the florist training course, you can immediately apply and deepen the learning material in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow the same amount of time for the additional workload as the regular course duration.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successfully completing your florist training.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for the classroom lessons and homework for the florist training course?
If you are confident that you can cope with the teaching hours and the learning effort, you should start a florist apprenticeship. The most you can do is consider whether you can achieve even better results with suitable learning and working methods and a learning plan. Efficient learning methods pay off in any case.
If you don't have that much time for the florist course, check with the providers whether the training can be spread over more than five years. Or can you make room for yourself in other ways? Perhaps you can hand over certain tasks during the training period?
Degree, diploma and title:
The professional examination "Florist with a federal certificate" is held annually in German, French and Italian, provided that the minimum number of 12 to 15 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every three years.
Candidates for the professional florist examination are notified at least four weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The professional examination for florists comprises the following three parts:
- Floral design (12 to 15 hours, weighting 2) on the subject of the development and execution of specialist practical work forms of contemporary floristry with a focus on:
- Daily customer needs
- spatial conditions
- Seasonal, religious, cultural or symbolic occasions
- Professional knowledge (weighting 1):
- Written examination (3 hours): such as basic knowledge of spatial perception and form and color design based on spatial situations using floral materials and suitable products and materials
- Presentation (10 minutes): present and explain the concept developed in the written part
- Expert discussion (20 minutes): examined on the basis of the presentation and assessed by at least two experts
- Business management (weighting 1) on business management issues and typical situations in the florist's store:
- Written examination (3 hours): Application tasks in sales and sales promotion, business organization, employee management and finance
- Expert discussion (30 minutes): includes an expert discussion with two experts
Diploma and title
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal professional certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Florist with a federal professional certificate" or "Florist with a federal professional certificate".
- In French: "Fleuriste avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Fiorista con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Florist with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional floristry exam?
Good, you are confident that you will successfully complete the professional examination following your florist training. Think about where you can best ensure the transfer of practical experience. Which learning and working methods are most efficient for you?
If you are unsure about a successful degree as a florist, we recommend the following:
- oneInformation eventof the favored educational institute
- onepersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice for florist training
- at theSchool managementAsk about support options
- oneInformationby the sponsor of the professional examination, theSwiss Florists Associationto dispel your concerns
- itselfSupportfromLearning therapistorCoachthroughautogenicormental trainingGet
You are very unsure whether you will be able to graduate after the florist course. You could take a look at which subjects you may have struggled with in the past. If these are subjects that will appear again in the final examination after the florist / florist training course, you should find out about possible preparatory courses, fill in existing gaps in your knowledge with the help of tutors or discuss with the school whether there is the possibility of internal tests or preparatory courses.
If you have intense exam anxiety, you could look for a different type of course that works more with learning achievements, mid-term exams or semester work. External help from learning therapists, kinesiologists, autogenic training providers or mental training providers can also be considered:
No, this florist course does not suit you. What a pity? Maybe not, because there are so many other opportunities for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Florist with a federal certificate is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test on florist jobs again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal profession. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The florist apprenticeship is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. You will find out a lot more about further education there. You can also discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Florist with a federal certificate of competence"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates and check the financing.
Directly to the schools:
"Florist with a federal certificate of competence"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Florist with a federal certificate of competence"
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Florist with a federal certificate of competence"