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The news that so many of our once strong colleges, like Pencoed, Welsh and Bournville, are either closing down or merging is not only very sad but very serious as well. Because while many florists will berate colleges (in some case with total justification) the reality is that training is vital never mind the fact that there are still some amazing colleges out there (for example Writtle and Hadlow to name but two) who are doing a phenomenal job and helping to develop some very fine florists for the future 

But it isn’t just the fact that colleges are closing down due to lack of support or sufficient profitability versus course costs, it’s the fact that the whole training system with floristry seems to be crumbling badly. The fact that Society of Floristry (now merged into BFA) effectively ‘lost’ the responsibility for setting standards and qualifications was a major blow and while I understand the BFA have set up a new sub committee my fear is that it may be too little, too late because this should have all be addressed three years ago. 

You see not only do we need colleges to train florists … work bench training is essential but in my opinion so is classroom style learning … we also need the gravitas and credibility that having floristry courses brings to our industry. If we don’t have formal qualifications that carry clout – like the degree courses offered at Writtle – we are not a ‘proper’ industry and as a result could not only lose out on funding opportunities but look amateur as well. Given floristry is already struggling badly from an ‘image problem’ that’s the last thing we need and why I really hope BFA can get it sorted.