Commissioners Information Bulletin 252
Issued: 24 December 2004

Variation of the relevant Vocational Training Order for the recognised traineeship vocation of Floristry

At the request of the NSW Retail, Wholesale and Associated Services (WRAPS) Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), the Commissioner for Vocational Training has approved the variation to the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Floristry under section 6 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

The amended VTO highlights new qualifications from the revised Floristry Training Package WRF04, endorsed by the National Training Quality Council on 12 February 2004.

Vocational Training Order Standard Format (VTO)
The VTO in each instance may make reference to:

1. the appropriate term or terms for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation
2. the appropriate probationary period or periods for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation, having regard to the term or terms specified for them under paragraph (a)
3. the appropriate qualification or qualifications that may be awarded in relation to an apprenticeship or traineeship in that vocation
4. any other training to be provided in addition to the training required for an appropriate qualification
5. such other matters relating to the training of apprentices or trainees in that vocation as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

A copy of the relevant revised VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocations of Floristry is at Attachment A.

Floristry Training Package WRF04
The floristry industry is made up of many small employers. Most florists tend to be small businesses with only owner-managers and a small number of staff mainly in small floristry outlets. Nationally, 90% of retail florists employ less than five people. Approximately 60% of all people working in the industry work full-time. As a result, florists are required to be multi skilled, performing the full range of duties in a shop/studio environment.

The initial Floristry Training Package (WRF99) was endorsed in July 1999. The review of the Training Package began in August 2001 and was completed in October 2003.

During the review process, there was a positive message of support for the Training Package, generally as a means of establishing a national standard that is known and understood by both industry and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

All units of competency and qualifications have been reviewed and new units and qualifications were added to accommodate new and future skill needs.

Units have been also imported from other endorsed Training Packages such as the Tourism and Hospitality, Amenity Horticulture, Retail and Business Services Training Packages.

Qualifications framework
The qualifications framework sets out the requirements for attainment of qualifications in the Floristry industry. There are three qualifications, which range from Certificate II to Certificate IV.

For the purpose of the revised VTOs, floristry trainees in New South Wales will have the option of gaining the following two qualifications:

• Certificate II in Floristry WRF20104
• Certificate III in Floristry WRF30104

Qualification pathways
Due to the broad range of elective options available, there are exit points from all qualifications which offer the potential to move into other sectors, for example retail, business, amenity horticulture and tourism. A diagram explaining the pathways options is at Attachment B (PDF 49KB).

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units required for each traineeship qualification are outlined at Attachment C.

Industrial arrangements
Industrial arrangements for trainees employed in the floristry industry are in place through the following instruments:

Awards

• Shop Employees (State) Award
• National Training Wage Award 2000 (AW790899CR)

Each award has provision for part-time and school-based traineeship arrangements.

Enterprise agreements cover some employees in the industry and also permit part-time training arrangements.

Note - Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any traineeship or apprenticeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Mapping of existing curricula
A mapping of the units from the WRF99 Floristry Training Package to the revised units in the WRF04 Floristry Training Package is provided at Attachment D. Advice on equivalence is also included in the unit descriptor for each of the floristry specific and retail imported units where appropriate.

In implementing the WRF04 Floristry Training Package, there are a number of considerations impacting on RTOs in relation to mutual recognition and scope of registration. The table at Attachment E provides advice on the relationship between qualifications from WRF99 and WRF04.

Vocational Education in Schools
While there is currently no provision for obtaining full qualifications in Floristry through vocational programs in schools, the Certificate II would be a suitable vocational pathway in schools. In addition, students may select elective units from the Floristry Training Package as part of a Certificate II in Retail.

Licensing arrangements
There are no licensing requirements within the Floristry industry.

Learning resources and assessment materials
A support resource is currently under development that will address the WRF04 Training package and is anticipated to be available at the start of 2005. This resource will be two books, each covering core and elective competencies from Certificate II, III and IV. The first book will be based around Working in Floristry and the second dedicated to Floristry Techniques. They will be available directly from the Service Industries Skills Council.

The NSW WRAPS ITAB is a member of the National TAFE Floristry Training Providers Network and a TAFE Floristry representative is a member of the ITAB’s Advisory Council. As new materials are developed and made available, the ITAB communicates with its RTOs via the WRAPS’ newsletter.

Availability of Registered Training Organisations
A list of RTOs that can deliver training from the Floristry Training Package WRF04 may be found on the National Training Information Services (NTIS) web site http://www.ntis.gov.au/

Flexible training arrangements
The proposed qualifications can be delivered part-time or full-time.

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

IAN KINGSLEY
Commissioner for Vocational Training