Constitution Hill local Emma Mittiga has not let the COVID-19 pandemic stop her from launching a small floristry business as she continues to work on the frontline as a pediatric nurse.

While Emma’s work in the health industry was steady, the pandemic caused hardship for workers across the country. The recession has given rise to a group of people who, out of passion or necessity, have turned their hobbies into income.

According to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), new company registrations in New South Wales exceeded pre-COVID levels, with 6,586 new registrations in December 2020 compared to 5,075 in December 2019.

Emma established her floral studio ‘Fleur Du Vent’ after studying a Certificate III in Floristry at TAFE NSW. Emma said the practical skills she learnt in the course prepared her to start her own business and monetise her creative outlet.

“While I love my career as a nurse, I’ve always felt that I have more to give the world. I feared my passions and interests elsewhere would remain completely undiscovered or gone to waste,” Emma said.

“Perhaps nursing accentuated the ‘life’s too short’ perspective for me, so I decided to enrol in a floristry course at TAFE NSW and haven’t looked back. My TAFE NSW teachers were true industry experts, and taught me everything I needed to know to turn my passion into a career.”

TAFE NSW Floristry teacher, Rebelle Scheenen, said Emma was a testament to the quality of training TAFE NSW provides in preparing students for a career in the industry while they are still studying.

“Emma is proof that the floristry courses at TAFE NSW equip students with the practical skills and experience they need to launch their own business as budding florists,” Ms Scheenen said.

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

Media contact: Kellie Dillon, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist

, MediaRelease@tafensw.edu.au, 02 9217 4220.