Commissioners Information Bulletin 115
Issued: 6 April 2000

Approval for the declaration of a new calling in Floristry

At the request of the NSW Retail Wholesale and Associated Services Industry Training Council Ltd (WRAPS) the Minister declared a new calling in Floristry under section 21 of the Industrial and Commercial Training Act, 1989 on 10 March 2000. The Director-General approved the relevant VTO under section 22 of the same Act on 23 February 2000.

The new VTO specifies the requirements for gaining a credential for the relevant traineeship pathway identified in the National Floristry Training Package endorsed on 19 July 1999 by the National Training Framework Committee.

These steps will align the calling structure to the National Floristry Competency Standards, and employment patterns within this industry sector.

Floristry industry
The past five years have seen some changes to the nature of the retail industry which includes the floristry sector. There are a number of factors currently impacting on vocational education and training in the retail industry:

There has been an increase in electronic commerce.
The nature of the products sold has changed.
Expenditure in leisure and recreational merchandise has risen.
The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax in 2000.

The polarisation of wealth means distinct differences in consumer purchasing patterns, particularly for those people who are time poor.

The ‘just in time’ principle has influenced the relationship between retailers, wholesalers and suppliers as retailers work towards minimised stock holdings.

The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax in 2000 will also impact on the retail industry and in turn, this will affect VET in this industry.

Retail turnover figures show an upward trend and this is expected to continue. Since the retail sector is the largest employer of young people in the state, this augurs well for traineeships in the industry.

To date, there has been no avenue available for people to undertake a traineeship in the floristry industry. The creation of a traineeship in floristry will meet the small and significant demand expressed by this industry sector for such a training arrangement.

It is expected that the introduction of the National Floristry Training Package will assist the industry in meeting the challenges of VET in a tough and changing environment where florists are required to be competent in a wide range of skill areas. The Training Package will also allow workers in this industry sector to have greater access to nationally recognised qualifications.

Vocational Training Order Standard Format
The VTO in each instance makes reference to:

the relevant number of qualifications (certificate levels II-IV) recognised under a particular trade or calling;
the nominal term which may vary in the case of traineeships from 12 to 48 months. This term of training also identifies part-time arrangements as recognised under DET policy;
The nominal term for trades which is set at 48 months. Part-time arrangements are not available for apprentices in NSW;
The appropriate national competency standards underpinning the qualification(s).

A copy of the relevant VTO supporting the calling of Floristry is at Attachment A.

National Floristry Training Package (WRF99)
The National Floristry Training Package (NFTP) addresses the needs of the floristry sector within the retail industry and links the National Floristry Industry Competency Standards through assessment processes to qualifications. It replaces all existing national industry-supported training courses.

In total, there are 3 qualifications across AQF levels II-IV. Traineeships will be available in 1 of these qualifications.

For the purposes of the VTO, floristry industry trainees will have the option of a credential in Certificate III in Floristry WRF30199A.

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units drawn from the National Floristry Industry Competency Standards and required for the above qualification are outlined at Attachment B.

Qualification structure and approach
Each qualification is embedded within the qualification at the next higher AQF level. Additionally, the units of competency are grouped into phases of related units to facilitate a holistic assessment process. In the Certificate III in Floristry, the units of competency have been grouped into four phases. The units which are related to the retail sector are placed in the early phases of the qualification and make up the Certificate II qualification. The creative units specifically related to floristry are placed in the last phase of the Certificate III in Floristry.

This structure assists those trainees who are unable to demonstrate the creative ability necessary to succeed as a florist and who wish to exit at AQF II level. This latter qualification enables employment as a sales assistant in a floristry shop.

The packaging of units of competency involves core skills and specialist skills, and advanced skills in the case of the Certificate IV qualification.

Customisation
This Training Package has been purposely designed to deliver nationally consistent outcomes while meeting the needs of individual florists at the same time. Throughout the competency standards there is the capacity to adapt units of competency and their elements to the needs of individual businesses. Employers may use their own products, policies and systems as the means by which their employees gain National Floristry Industry competencies.

Where it is necessary to meet the needs of a particular enterprise, one or more elements of competency may be added to a unit, but no elements may be removed.

Units of competency may be adapted in the following ways:

Contextualisation of the content to reflect the unique aspects of an enterprise or client group.
Specification of resource requirements in terms of essential equipment, facilities and learning resources.
Using assessment criteria which are appropriate to the specific requirements of a particular workplace, occupation or industry classification.

Learning and Assessment Materials
The NSW WRAPS has available a range of learning and assessment materials to support the implementation of this Training Package. Curriculum has been developed for this traineeship and includes learning modules from Certificates II and III in Retail Operations. Learning modules specific to floristry have also been developed. Learner guides, a guide to assessment activities, a professional development kit and integrated assessment video developed for the retail sector are also available for floristry trainees.

A learner record book is available and will be distributed by DET.

Industrial arrangements
Advice received from the NSW WRAPS is that the following industrial instruments contain provisions for the employment of trainees:

Shop Employees (State) Award.
Retail Industry (State) Training Wage Award 1998.
Retail Supermarket Industry – Woolworths – NSW/ACT Agreement 1995.

Pay rates for the Certificate II component of the traineeship will be National Training Wage Skill Level B and for the Certificate III component, National Training Wage Skill Level A.

Part-time arrangements
Provisions for part-time and school based traineeships are present in the Retail Industry (State) Training Wage Award.

Licensing requirements
There are no known licensing requirements for the floristry industry.

Nominal hours for training package qualifications
Nominal hours will vary depending on the learning pathway for qualifications within the training packages.

NSW Crown Copyright Curriculum is available through the website: http://www.nswcccn.net/private/free_products/freeproducts.cfm

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

JILL GIENTZOTIS

Director of Recognition Services