Florist (Florist/in)
You create bouquets, wreaths and floral decorations and advise customers: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, alternating between the workplace and school.
What a florist does
They tie bouquets, make wreaths, bridal jewellery or dried arrangements, dress the window and shop, look after plants and advise customers on choosing and caring for them.
Create
Tie bouquets, make wreaths and bridal jewellery to your own ideas or the customers' wishes.
Advise
Help customers choose cut flowers and potted plants, then give them care instructions.
Run the shop
Dress the window, calculate prices, buy new stock and operate the till.
This occupation is for you if…
- you are creative and have a feel for colours and shapes
- you enjoy working with your hands on delicate materials
- you like customer contact and service
- you accept working on Saturdays and rising early for buying
Less suitable if…
- you are allergic to plants or plant treatment products
- you struggle with damp and skin irritated by thorns
- you are looking for a job without customer contact
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Bouquets and wreathsPlanted arrangementsPlant careFuneral floristryPrice calculationAdvice and sellingPersonal qualities
CreativitySense of colourManual dexterityService mindsetOrganisationHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
The basics
- Plant care and identification
- Bouquets, corsages, wreath bases
- Tools, materials, hygiene
Create and sell
- Planted arrangements
- Advice, pricing, selling
- Final exam, part 1
Complete projects
- Complete floral projects
- Marketing, buying, display
- Final exam, part 2
Exams and qualification
The final exam (Abschlussprüfung) has 2 parts. Part 1 takes place in the fourth half-year: 4 floral making tasks (150 minutes) and a 60-minute written paper; it counts for 20% of the mark. Part 2 takes place at the end: a floral project with 1 main piece and 2 accompanying pieces, technology, goods and economics. You obtain the Abschlusszeugnis (final certificate) of the IHK.
You are paid during the training
Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Paid from the first year
- Creative work with a visible result
- Jobs in shops, garden centres and nurseries
- Possibility of taking over or opening a shop
Difficulties
- Pay below the overall average
- Saturday work and sometimes very early starts
- Skin and airways exposed to plants
- A lot of selling and advising in German
Where it can lead
Skilled florist
Jobs in flower shops, garden centres, nurseries with a shop or DIY stores.
Further training
Train further in floral design or goods presentation, or become a Fachwirt (specialist) in retail.
Master florist or studies
Take the Floristmeister (master florist) exam, set up on your own or study horticulture if university entry is met.
Other trainings: Agriculture, environment and sciences
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
Is this training recent?
When does part 1 of the exam take place?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.