Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Sources of product information may include:
supplier or grower of the product
product library
the Internet or intranet
organisation-designed information systems, e.g. inventory control database, product manuals, price lists
state and federal government authorities e.g. Australian Quarantine Inspection Services (AQIS) and various state national parks and wildlife services
media
reference books
libraries
industry associations
grower associations
industry journals or trade magazines
personal observation and experience
colleagues, supervisors and managers
industry contacts, mentors and advisors
professional development activities including:
product launches
promotional seminars
trade shows
workshops
conferences
demonstrations.
Particular sales or operationalneed may involve:
providing specific product information and advice to the customer
selling floristry products
organising a relay sale or delivery
designing suitable floristry products
assembling or constructing floristry products
purchasing or receiving and storing floristry stock
preparing quotations
preparing, monitoring and maintaining the quality of flower and plant materials.
Specific product information may be found in:
product labels
brochures
e-brochures
organisation-designed information systems, e.g. inventory control database, product and service manuals, price lists
supplier price lists
sales kits
supplier information kits
advertising flyers
manufacturer specifications.
Formal and informal research may include:
informal discussions with colleagues
formal study
accessing and reading promotional information, including product brochures and updates
liaising with trade and general media
attending professional development activities including:
product launches
promotional seminars
trade shows
workshops
conferences
demonstrations
direct contact with other organisations, including suppliers, industry associations, grower associations and distribution chains
attending floral festivals and competitions
accessing the Internet and intranet
personal on-site observation or exploration of parks, gardens, state forests and national park
organising information from own memory and experiences
watching television, videos and films
listening to radio
reading newspapers, books and other references.
Features of flower and plant materials obtained through research must include:
common and botanical nomenclature
country of origin
appearance and colour of bloom, foliage, stem and bud
characteristics of the perfume
toxicity and allergy characteristics
common pests and diseases, their affects and treatments post harvest
vase life or lifespan.
Technical characteristics must include:
suitability of use in different styles of products
suitability of use for different floristry techniques
suitability for different special occasions or events
suitability to meet cultural or religious protocols and preferences
impacts of fumigation on lifespan
handling requirements to avoid spoilage
storage requirements
conditioning requirements
preparation requirements
maturation requirements
maintenance requirements (post-harvest).
Flower and plant materials must include:
flowers including:
fresh (common, exotic and Australian wildflowers)
dry and preserved.
plant materials including:
fresh (common, exotic and Australian foliage)
dry and preserved
potted plants.
Key information on seasonal availability must include:
different seasons for flower and plant materials including:
Australian wildflowers and foliage
varieties grown in Australia
varieties grown overseas
commonly used varieties
exotics.
availability to the floristry business
varieties out of season in the local region, state or territory or Australia which can be sourced elsewhere, for example interstate or overseas
Storage of information may include:
card reference systems
files and notes on particular flowers and plant materials
files and notes on particular customer groups and preferred flowers and plant materials
files and notes on suppliers of various flowers and plant materials
computerised database of information
personal product preference manual
portfolio of products personally produced.
Relevant personnel may include:
colleagues
supervisors
managers
floral designers
studio designers
more experienced florists
owner-operators of a small floristry business
production managers.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 research current, relevant and accurate information on flower and plant materials using different information sources and media
knowledge of current information sources
knowledgeof the specific features and technical characteristics of flower and plant materials and key information on seasonal availability nominated in the Range Statement.
ability to visually recognise and name an extensive range of flower and plant materials.
ability to regularly source information on an extensive range of flower and plant materials. This should occur over a period of time and the information should be tailored to meet different care, design or construction requirements to ensure consistency of performanceand ability to respond to different requirements
completion of research activities within commercial time constraints and within any operational deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to information equipment such as computers, communication technology, printers, information programs and publications currently used in the floristry industry to source and store floristry related information
access to sources of product information such as reference books, sales brochures, product and service manuals, supplier information kits, electronic information sources and information databases
a diverse, comprehensive and commercial product range of flowers and plant materials so that live visual recognition can take place.

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:
evaluation of activities that involve live recognition of flowers and plant materials
evaluation of research activities that are integrated with other activities such as caring for floristry stock, designing or constructing floristry products
projects, case studies or work activities to assess ability to obtain current, accurate and relevant information for particular operational purposes
evaluation of documented research activities and information portfolios prepared by the candidate to meet differing operational needs
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the sources of information and the various features and technical characteristics of flower and plant materials
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:
SFLDEC302A Design floristry products
SFLDEC304A Construct hand tied floristry products
SFLDEC305A Construct wired floristry products
SFLDEC306A Construct floristry products with a base medium
SFLSOP203A Receive and store floristry stock
SFLSOP204A Prepare and care for floristry stock.