Florint, the international trade association for professional florists, and Flornet, the European network for floristry education, presented the last phase of their ambitious education project on 28 June at Waterdrinker Aalsmeer.
After having developed professional courses, profiles and a complete assessment system, the focus is now on digitalizing the designed floristry curriculum – in the form of Virtual Learning Environments.
Pan-European education
The education project by Florint and Flornet is a pan-European effort to develop common, standardized floristry courses for the continent. It aims to bring European programs in floristry on a more equal level and, thereby, to promote the mobility of students and florists internationally. The professional profiles and learning objectives that have been developed – in terms of level, skills, knowledge and competencies (the European Qualifications Framework reference levels) – were all explained in detail during the presentation.
Developing digital classrooms
During this final phase of the ambitious multi-year project, the partners will be developing Virtual Learning Environments (VLE’s) in which the designed courses can be studied, tested and graded. These can be seen as online classrooms, where learners can get their instructions and perform their assignments while assessors can give marks as well as feedback.
The basic framework for these digital classrooms is currently ready and some modules can already be studied online. However, to transfer the entire set of courses and the assessment system into an attractive digital format is a costly, time-consuming job.
Florint and Flornet are, therefore, still looking for support in this matter. Do you take education for florists to heart? And do you see the benefits of an online education system that allows learners from all over Europe to follow professionally designed courses? Please get in touch with us to discuss the opportunity!
Partners in the project
Florint and Flornet are united in the ‘European Platform for Floristry Vocational Education & Training’ (EPFVET), together with a group of 6 participating partners: Groene Welle and Nordwin College (The Netherlands), Staatliche Fachschule für Blumenkunst Weihenstephan (Germany), KEUDA (Finland), Naturbruksgymnasiet Östergotland (Sweden), and flower market Mercato dei Fiori Sanremo from Italy.
The Platform has spearheaded various projects related to vocational training for florists, such as the development of a European Masters in Floral Design.
The program is partially funded by a KA2 Erasmus+ grant, the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport.
Source: Florint