A group of Blue Mountains women is learning the art of floristry thanks to a joint program between TAFE NSW and the Mountains Outreach Community Service.

The Statement of Attainment in Floristry – Getting Started is delivered onsite at the Bungarrabee Centre in Hazelbrook over a period of six weeks and incorporates two units of the Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant) providing the students with job ready skills.

At the end of the course, the women will have two units which will count as credits towards the Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant) should they decide to pursue further study.

Liz Smith, Mountains Outreach Community Services said “We have had a long association with TAFE NSW, and it was during a meeting with TAFE Service Manager Mina Karpouzas we discussed the various programs we could offer. Mina suggested floristry which is something we have not run before and we thought it would do really well.”

“The interest we received for the floristry course has been fantastic. We have 15 women in the class ranging from young mums through to retirees. It’s great to see the group learning new techniques but also connect and develop new friendships with local women.”

“The aim of the course is to equip the students with job ready skills so that they can either go on to do further study or gain work with a local florist.”

For Hazelbrook resident, Vanessa Jones, the course is an opportunity to learn some further floristry techniques and build on her current skill set.

“I’m a keen gardener; I grow my own flowers which I use to make bouquets that I sell locally through my Facebook page “Happiness Blooms”. I’m learning further technical skills that are helping me with my business,” said Vanessa Jones.

Located in Hazelbrook, Mountain Outreach Community Services has been providing local support to youth, parents and other community groups for over 30 years.

TAFE NSW Blue Mountains will offer the Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant) in semester 2 at Wentworth Falls during school hours for anyone who wishes to start an exciting career in floristry.

To find out more about studying floristry at TAFE NSW visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601. 

Media contact: Teresa Lane, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner 9796 5476, mobile 0412 773 887