Floristry apprenticeships combine paid employment with structured training, giving people the opportunity to build practical skills while working in a real florist business. They can be used to recruit someone new or to develop an existing member of your team.
This page covers apprenticeships in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own apprenticeship systems and funding arrangements.
Current floristry apprenticeships in England
Florist – Level 2 (ST0538)
The Level 2 Florist apprenticeship develops the core knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work as a professional florist, including flower and plant care, floristry techniques, customer service, sales, safe working practices and commercial awareness.
- Status: approved for delivery
- Typical duration: 24 months before assessment, although an individual training plan can vary according to prior learning and working hours
- Maximum funding band: £5,000
- Assessment: the current standard includes a multiple-choice test, practical assessment with questioning and professional discussion
The Level 2 standard is currently being revised, so employers, apprentices and providers should use the live Skills England page for the latest version rather than relying on older PDFs or course information.
Senior Florist – Level 3 (ST1335)
The Level 3 Senior Florist apprenticeship is for people developing towards a more advanced role. It covers complex floristry design, planning and producing work for larger events, customer consultation, commercial and digital working, sustainability, health and safety, and supporting or mentoring colleagues.
- Status: approved for delivery and available for starts
- Typical duration: 21 months, followed by an assessment period
- Maximum funding band: £10,000
- Entry requirements: employers set their own requirements; previous floristry experience or a relevant Level 2 qualification may be appropriate
For employers
An apprentice is an employee. You are responsible for their employment contract, wages, suitable work, supervision and giving them paid time for the training required by their apprenticeship. Apprentices can be new recruits or existing employees.
There is no blanket rule that an apprentice must work 30 hours a week. Part-time apprenticeships are possible, although the training provider may need to extend the planned duration so that the apprentice has enough time to complete the required learning.
Pay
You must pay at least the correct National Minimum Wage. From April 2026 the apprentice rate is £8.00 per hour for apprentices aged under 19 and for apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, apprentices aged 19 or over are entitled to the minimum wage rate for their age. Rates normally change each April, so always check the current GOV.UK rate.
Training costs and funding
Funding depends on the apprentice’s age, the start date and whether the employer pays the apprenticeship levy. For new starts from 1 August 2026, non-levy employers receive 100% government funding for training and assessment costs up to the funding band maximum where the apprentice is aged 16 to 24 at the start of training. For apprentices aged 25 or over, a non-levy employer normally pays 5% and government funds 95%. Levy-paying employers normally use funds in their apprenticeship service account. If those funds are exhausted, government funds 100% of training and assessment costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged 16 to 24, and 75% for apprentices aged 25 or over, leaving the employer to pay the remaining 25%.
The Apprenticeship Levy applies to employers with an annual pay bill above £3 million and is charged at 0.5% of the pay bill, subject to the levy allowance.
Additional employer payments may also be available. Eligible employers can receive £1,000 when taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, or an eligible 19 to 24 year old who has an education, health and care plan or has been in care. From 1 October 2026, non-levy employers may also be eligible for a £2,000 hiring payment when recruiting a new apprentice aged 16 to 24, subject to the current funding-rule criteria. Funding rules change, so confirm the position for each new apprentice before recruitment.
For apprentices
To start an apprenticeship in England you normally need to be aged 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education. You are employed, paid a wage, entitled to holiday pay and given time during your working hours for training and study.
English and maths requirements depend on your age and existing qualifications. Apprentices aged 16 to 18 may need to achieve approved English and maths qualifications if they do not already hold suitable equivalents. For apprentices aged 19 or over, these qualifications can be included in the training plan where appropriate but are not automatically an exit requirement.
Finding a training provider
Provider availability changes and can depend on where the apprentice works. Use the official apprenticeship training service to check who currently delivers the Florist Level 2 or Senior Florist Level 3 standard in your area and how the training is delivered.
The Floristry School in Sheffield currently offers both the Level 2 Florist and Level 3 Senior Florist apprenticeships, including remote study options for apprentices based elsewhere in England. Other providers may also be available depending on location.
Detailed employer guidance
For more detail on the practical requirements, use the current BFA guides below. These have been updated to reflect the current apprenticeship rules rather than the older Trailblazer-era guidance.
Elsewhere in the UK
Apprenticeship systems and funding are devolved. If the apprentice will be based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, use the relevant national apprenticeship service rather than the England funding rules above.
If you are unsure which route applies, contact membership@britishfloristassociation.org and we can point you towards the relevant current information.
