11 January 2019

Just three years after graduating from Floristry at TAFE NSW Yallah, Louise Daly’s Kiama business isn’t just blooming it’s booming.

Since graduating from Certificate III Floristry in 2015 Ms Daly has opened her floristry business, Posy Jones Floral Co, has had photos of her work published in a world-class New York magazine, won a small business award and employed another TAFE NSW graduate.

Posy Jones is one of more than 2000 retail florists in Australia. The industry experienced strong growth between 2017 and 2018, growing from 2400 employees to about 9300 nationally according to a Labour Market Information Portal report.

Ms Daly has combined her experience from previous careers including nursing, retail and travel consultant, with her floristry skills to create a successful business and a space to encourage others to learn.

“I always wanted this business to be an extension of my learning, to inspire further learning and help others hoping to enter the industry. I have always been a big believer in continued learning,” Ms Daly said.

Four TAFE NSW students have undertaken work placement through the business so far. “Formal training is extremely important, you need those basic skills,” she said.

“There are people who just open a florist with no formal training. They have no price skills, they don’t know how to wire correctly, there’s so much more to it than putting pretty flowers in a vase.

“There are standards and you need those skills, education and grounding in order to be able to work within the industry. That is what keeps the industry reputable and safe.”

She suggested a Certificate III in Floristry offered a good start for those hoping to enter the industry.

“Students enrolled in Certificate III should be able to do certain things comfortably; it covers the foundation skills and design principles of floristry,” she said.

“Certificate IV delves more into the business side and the creation of more extravagant floral installations.”

Kiama resident Jera Quinn now works at Posy Jones but started out through work experience.

She was a local government building and health inspector for 12 years before she decided it was time for a career where she could express her creative side.

“I looked into the TAFE NSW Floristry course and decided to quit my job and set my mind on the florist industry,” she said.

“I graduated at the end of 2018 and I’m working as a florist playing a part in celebratory events making arrangements for birthdays, weddings, even funerals and memorials.

“It’s a very rewarding career,” she said.

To find out more about studying Floristry at TAFE NSW or to enrol for semester one 2019, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Media Officer, 4421 9895, mobile 0466 375 552.