The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to safely use floristry tools and hazardous substances

ability to correctly interpret the job specifications and to visually recognise and select the correct flower and plant materials

knowledge of the elements and principles of design, their interrelationships and their effects on the style and function of floristry products, and the ability to evaluate and modify the floral design throughout the construction phase in line with these elements and principles

ability to identify and resolve, throughout the construction phase, problems that may impact on the style, function and construction of the floristry product

ability to construct multiple and diverse complex floristry products of small to large scale which must include the complex floristry products outlined in the range statement using the nominated techniques.

To ensure consistency of performance, ability to respond to different requirements and ability to use different techniques, this must occur over a period of time and cover the construction of products of varying complexities

construction of complex floristry products that meet the requirements of multiple site environments to ensure that skills can be adapted to different display contexts

completion of construction activities within commercial time constraints and deadlines determined by the customer or the organisation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to comprehensive and sufficient job specifications for a diverse range of complex floristry products to allow the candidate to interpret, modify and construct a range of floristry products -noting that the candidate may have also developed the design

the construction of floristry products within a floristry design, preparation and product construction environment

access to sites or event venues in which the candidate can assemble products for display

a diverse, comprehensive and commercial range of tools used during the construction of floristry products e.g. knives, scissors, secateurs, staple guns

a diverse, comprehensive and commercial product range of flowers, plant materials, cleaning agents, preservatives, conditioning agents, construction, ancillary, presentation, wrapping and packaging items that can be used during the construction process.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate preparing for and constructing a range of floristry products

project activities to construct floristry products for a local community organisation or an event delivered by the training college

review of floristry competition judgements

evaluation of a range of floristry products constructed by the candidate

review of a comprehensive portfolio prepared by the candidate that documents the entire construction process inclusive of notes on the interpretation of the job specifications, records of any problems encountered, justifications for varying the design and an evaluation of the final constructed product

case studies to assess the ability to react to different problems that arise during the construction phase

exercises to allow the candidate to correctly identify a diverse range of flower and plant materials through visual recognition

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of matters such as the elements and principles of design, minimal impact practices and the suitability of different techniques for different styles of product

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SFLDEC407A Design complex floristry products

SFLDEC409A Coordinate floristry products for a special occasion.

Required skills

correct use of personal protective equipment

safe and correct use of tools such as knives and pruners

recognition of spoilt and unsuitable flower and plant materials

safe handling techniques for toxic flower and plant materials and those treated with toxic substances such as fungicides and pesticides

correct handling techniques for a wide variety of flower, plant and presentation materials and ancillary items commonly used when constructing complex floristry products to avoid spoilage of floristry stock

cleaning techniques for floristry construction areas

self-management, time management, planning and organisational skills to complete the construction of the floristry product within deadlines

problem solving skills to identify any issues associated with the job specifications and to adapt the style and components of the product during the construction phase

communication skills to consult with and direct relevant personnel on job specifications and any problems that arise during the construction phase and to communicate production requirements to a team when supervising team construction

literacy skills to read and comprehend sometimes unfamiliar and complex job specifications for the construction of floristry products, to read use-by dates and stock labels and to read and interpret organisational procedures

writing skills to make reports on matters such as problems in meeting job specifications and unsuitable materials, and to write a detailed production plan.

numeracy skills to count items and calculate complex numbers of various components from the job specifications for the complex product or range of themed products to be constructed.

Required knowledge

the intricate characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of design and their use in various complex floristry products

The elements of design include:

texture

form

colour

space

line

The principles of design include:

harmony

rhythm

balance

dominance

scale

proportion

contrast

the intricaciesand use of a wide variety of design guidelines or forms and categories for complex floristry products including decorative, vegetative, formal-linear, radial and parallel

the intricaciesand use of an extensive range of floral construction techniques including new and emerging techniques for complex hand tied products, complex wired products (especially those using decorative wiring techniques) and complex products using a base medium

the intricacies, use, and visual recognition of an extensive range of flower and plant materials in order to correctly select stock when constructing floristry products

the complementary nature of flower and plant materials in order to make any necessary changes to the design during the construction phase

the intricacies and use of an extensive range of ancillary floristry products, presentation materials and wrapping techniques that enhance the presentation of complex floristry products

the essential features and use of packaging materials and techniques to ensure the safe transportation of complex floristry products

the essential features and use of fabrication and structural support components of complex floristry products

staffing requirements to service the construction of complex floristry products

a range of formats for and inclusions of production plans produced prior to constructing complex floristry products

the essential features of and safe practices for using common hazardous substances used by the floristry industry and in particular substances used by the organisation e.g. cleaning agents

the environmental and site impacts of preparing and constructing complex floristry products and minimal impact practices to reduce these, especially those that relate to resource, water and energy use and to the use of floristry raw materials

correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances, spoiled and diseased flower and plant materials and those that have a propensity to propagate weeds.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Job specifications may include:

customer brief and how it has been met

location where floristry product will be used or displayed

purpose of the floristry product (e.g. for an event or special occasion)

photographs of the final design

photographs of various stages of construction

sketches

general overview of how to construct

complete instructions for construction including techniques to be used

packaging and transportation requirements

itemised lists of all components and suppliers

itemised maximum cost of all components

itemised list of individual products to be produced as part of a suite and numbers required

size of each item to be constructed

fabrication and structural support requirements for large displays.

estimated timeframe for the construction of all components.

Relevant personnel may include:

manager

other senior florists

floral designer

studio designer

owner-operator of a small floristry business

other florists involved in a large scale production team

production manager.

All components may include:

flowers and plant materials

construction materials

ancillary items and merchandise

presentation materials

packaging materials for use when transporting complex floristry products

fabrication and structural support requirements.

Production plan may include:

details of a site inspection and consultation with venue operators to establish site assembly and display requirements

off and on-site labour requirements

rosters for off and on-site staff members

details of components that will be fully or partially constructed off-site and those that must be assembled on-site at any event location

actual timeframe and deadlines for the construction of all components

on-site construction or assembly plan for event sites.

Construction and display may involve:

partial construction at the floristry business site

full construction at the floristry business site

display at the floristry business site e.g. complex window or stock display

further assembly, display and or construction at the display site e.g. an event venue.

Complex floristry products may include:

complex display or stock items

complex window displays

large, small or themed corporate displays including components constructed off-site and assembled on-site for:

exhibition centres

ball rooms

restaurants and reception centres

theatres

galleries

hotels

government buildings

hospitals

corporate offices

marquees

gardens

cruise boats

churches or chapels.

large, small or themed displays including components constructed off-site and assembled on-site for events:

corporate events

balls and banquets

themed events

industry and other awards presentations

theatrical performances

trade shows

exhibitions

floral competitions

floral festivals

weddings

parties e.g. birthdays and engagements

celebrations e.g. Christmas and St Valentine's Day

religious celebrations e.g. communions, bar mitzvahs

funerals.

floral displays produced to competition criteria

floristry arrangements of a highly creative nature and of advanced design

products of any size for any purpose using:

complex hand tied floristry techniques

complex wired floristry techniques, especially decorative wiring techniques

complex base medium construction techniques

new and emerging techniques

Fabrication and structural support requirements may include:

structural components and frameworks including:

wires

ropes

cages

fences

platforms

lighting

welded and angled grinded materials

props.

Flower and plant materials must include:

flowers including:

fresh (common, exotic and Australian wildflowers)

dry and preserved

artificial.

plant materials including:

fresh (common, exotic and Australian foliage)

dry and preserved

artificial.

Itemised job costing may include:

itemised lists of all components and associated individual costs of supply and sale

itemised maximum numbers of flowers and other items to be used in the construction of the floristry product

details of the composite product or products to be produced with cost of supply and sale.

Ancillary items may include:

chocolates, fruit, nuts, alcohol

hampers

gift items of any type

novelties such as balloons and toys

flower preservatives and conditioning agents.

Presentation items may include:

wrapping

gift cards and message items

corporate advertising of the business

corporate materials provided by the customer.

Problems may include:

lack of experience with flowers and plant materials

lack of experience with the variety and size of the various products e.g. those for an event

inability to source or roster staff to meet production requirements

constraints of a short production and delivery deadline

expense of transporting floral displays and products to the display location

non-availability of the flower and plant materials

non-availability of ancillary, presentation and wrapping items

non-availability of fabrication and support materials for large displays

spoilt flower and plant materials

short life cycle and problems with maintaining quality during storage, production and display by the organisation or the customer

working with a design that does not work in the construction phase

constraints of OHS requirements

negative environmental impacts of materials chosen

inability to meet the customer preference or brief

constraints of any site where the floristry product will be displayed including:

type (internal or external)

dimensions of display area

dimensions of delivery access and storage areas

venue access times and impacts on assembling the floristry products to meet deadlines

restrictions of various venue operators such as churches, cemeteries and crematoria

size and availability of on-site assembly storage and maintenance areas

conflicting activities in on-site assembly, storage and display areas.

structural constraints of the location where floristry product will be used or displayed including:

pipes and drainage

earthwork

brickwork

stone masonry.

Spoilage of flower and plant materials may relate to:

cross-contamination of diseased or pest affected flowers and plant materials with healthy plants

incorrect application of humidity and temperature controls

incorrect exposure to environmental heating or air conditioning

incorrect application of conditioning or preservative agents or contamination with cleaning agents

incorrect storage causing crushing or wilting

incorrect handling and storage of fruit and vegetables.

Prepared and conditioned flower and plant materials may have been subject to:

trimming of foliage

trimming of stems

trimming away buds

provision of nutrients

use of preservative solutions

use of conditioning solutions

scalding

cooling

bathing

chemical spraying for pests and diseases

use of cleaning agents

dusting or wiping.

Unsuitable materials may include:

diseased or pest affected flowers and plant materials

damaged or crushed flowers and plant materials

wilted flowers and plant materials

flowers and plant materials with expired or near to expired use-by dates that will not survive the display period.

Equipment and other construction components may include:

cutting tools including:

knives

scissors

rose de-thorner

secateurs

containers to mix cleaning and conditioning agents

baskets

decorative pots

buckets or decorative pails

containers (bowls, vases)

staple gun and staples

glue gun and glue

binding tape

heavy to fine gauge wire

floral foam (for fresh flowers and plant materials)

floral foam (for artificial flowers and plant materials)

wreath frame (floral foam)

polystyrene

chicken wire

straw

willow vine

clay

plaster

moss

fabrication and structural support requirements.

Floristry techniques must include:

complex and other hand tied floristry techniques

complex, decorative and other wired floristry techniques

complex and other base medium construction techniques

integration of a range of hand tied, wired and base medium construction techniques

new and emerging techniques.

The range of complex floristry products to be produced must include:

custom-made floristry products in response to customer briefs

large scale corporate displays including components constructed off-site and assembled or displayed on-site

large, small and themed displays including components constructed off-site and assembled on-site for events.

Elements of design must include:

texture

form

colour

space

line.

Principles of design must include:

harmony

rhythm

balance

dominance

scale

proportion

contrast.

Wrapping and packaging materials may include:

boxes

cylinders

polypropylene

paper

cellophane

bows

ribbons

raffia

protective wrapping and packing materials for large or multiple displays - fully or partially constructed - for transportation to the display site.