For information about floristry traineeships courses and eligibility, please
contact us.PSF traineeship program
Download our complete information pack, or click to read the relevant sections below.
Traineeship Information
A full information pack for Trainees & Employers - download complete pack.
For more information or to request a hard copy of the information pack, please contact us.
Overview of government funding & eligibility criteria
How does a traineeship benefit the employer?
How does a traineeship benefit the trainee?
Getting started - How to set up a traineeship
What if... Frequently asked questions
National training information service ID number: 326718
Registered training organisation number: 90454
Employers and trainees may be eligible for two types of government funding:
Federal Government Funding: $4,000
This funding is payable to the EMPLOYER for supporting a trainee through their traineeship program. To be eligible, the trainee must not have any prior qualifications in any field obtained in the past 7 years.
The $4,000 is payable in two amounts:
- $1,500 payable three months after commencement of traineeship program
- $2,500 on completion of Certificate III (WRF30104)
To complete the Pearsons program, the student must successfully complete all course components AND Workplace Assessment.
NSW State Government Funding: $3,000
The NSW State Government funding is paid in instalments to the training provider (Pearsons School of Floristry). The majority of this money is paid on completion of Certificate III. Only new employees (full time employed for less than 3 months or part time employed for less than 12 months) are eligible for the NSW State Government funding and there are other terms and conditions. Trainees who are eligible for this funding can pay reduced course fees.
Are you eligible for funding?
This is assessed by an Australian Apprenticeship Centre. For more information on funding available to support employers and trainees, please contact your local apprenticeship centre.
PSF recommends AusNAC – a private Apprenticeship Centre that is familiar with our training program. Contact Michelle Reeves, AusNAC, tel. 8875 6100. Alternatively find your local Apprenticeship Centre by visiting this website: www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
For employers, a PSF traineeship is a cost-effective way to recruit and train staff. The key benefit is that you are developing a highly skilled and motivated trainee as part of your floristry team.
PSF’s training program is a fast-tracked, one-year training program, building your trainee’s skills faster – so they can take on more responsibility in the workplace – and saving you 36 day’s wages (compared the standard 2 year/72 day program at other institutions).
Government funding of up to $4,000 is available as an incentive to employers, trainees can be paid a traineeship wage and if the trainee is a new employee you may be rebated for their payroll tax.
Wages: The employer is obliged to pay the trainee for the hours they work and for their one day per week in the classroom (a total of 36 classroom days on the fast-track PSF program).
Trainees can be paid a traineeship wage. As of October 2008, the Retail Shop Assistant training award hourly wage can vary from $5.05 to $13.18, depending on the number of years out of school and skill level of the individual. Contact the Department of Industrial Relations for current traineeship award wages: Tel 131 628, web www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
Materials: The cost of flowers and other materials is included in the PSF course fees. (With the exception of the final assessment day at the end of the course when students are required to source their own materials; we recommend a budget of $100 wholesale.)
Pearsons School of Floristry offers budding florists a unique fast-tracked opportunity to gain employment and paid training leading to a nationally recognised qualification.
As a PSF trainee, you will:
- Fast-track the classroom component of the Certificate III course (Pearsons Commercial Design Certificate) to just one day per week, for 36 weeks, so you are qualified faster.
- Learn from the experts; PSF only teach floristry and as part of Pearsons Florist, we have 40 years experience running 10 Sydney stores. All of our trainers are industry-active and qualified florists.
- Learn in a fun and supportive environment; PSF is a small private training college with excellent pastoral care and support to help all students to achieve their goals.
- Participate in our Enrichment Program including demonstrations, student competitions, grower visits, e-newsletter and industry events.
- Have the support of an employer who is committed to helping you through your training.
Materials: The cost of flowers and other materials is included in the PSF course fees. (With the exception of the final assessment day at the end of the course when students are required to source their own materials; we recommend a budget of $100 wholesale.)
Wages: The employer is obliged to pay the trainee for the hours they work and for their one day per week in the classroom (a total of 36 classroom days on the fast-track PSF program).
Trainees can be paid a traineeship wage. As of October 2008, the Retail Shop Assistant training award hourly wage can vary from $5.05 to $13.18, depending on the number of years out of school and skill level of the individual. Contact the Department of Industrial Relations for current traineeship award wages: Tel 131 628, web www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
As a trainee you may be eligible for savings such as concessions on transport.
For employers
- Find the right trainee
Existing staff members may be eligible to become trainees. To find a new staff member, you can advertise in the local paper or put a sign in your shop window. Your local high school careers advisor may be able to put you in touch with potential trainees, or contact PSF –we will advertise your position on our online Job page for free.
- Contact an Apprenticeship Centre
PSF recommend a centre called AusNAC, or you can contact your local centre (see Section 12, Contacts & Useful Links). They will explain the process, financial incentives and eligibility criteria in detail, and assist with preparing a training contract and lodging your application.
- Talk to Pearsons School of Floristry
Once your trainee is registered through the Apprenticeship Centre, they can enrol on the course. PSF will conduct a short interview with the trainee to answer any questions and go through the terms and conditions. Course fee payment is required before the trainee commences training.
For trainees
- Find employment
Approach your local florists and talk to them about traineeships. You can pass on a copy of this information pack to potential employers (or call PSF to request a pack be sent). Contact PSF or look at our online Job page – we sometimes know of employers looking for trainees.
- Contact an Apprenticeship Centre
PSF recommend a centre called AusNAC, or you can contact your local centre (see Section 12, Contacts & Useful Links). They will explain the process, financial incentives and eligibility criteria in detail, and assist with preparing a training contract and lodging your application.
- Enrol on the course
Once you are registered through the Apprenticeship Centre, you must enrol on the course. PSF will conduct a short interview to answer any questions and go through the terms and conditions. Course fee payment is required before you commence training. (Students who are elegible for state funding can pay reduced course fees - the Apprenticeship Centre will assess your eligibility.)
What if the employer & trainee want to change the day of study?
PSF can offer flexibility and will allow the trainee to transfer classes, subject to availability. This must be done in writing and with notice.
What if a trainee misses classes?
The trainee can organise to attend at another time, subject to availability, if one week’s notice is given. If not, they may have to purchase additional flowers for another make-up class. (see PSF Terms and Conditions for more details).
If a trainee misses a few classes, PSF will attempt to contact them and the employer to discuss any issues. A student that is sick on a class day may be entitled to sick pay.
What happens if the trainee leaves their employment?
You are obligated to contact the Apprenticeship Centre and PSF to inform them of the termination of employment.
The trainee can either withdraw from the course with an accredited Statement of Attainment for the components completed to date or continue with PSF as a full fee paying student.
What if a trainee does not complete all classroom assessments, assignments and Work Place Assessment ?
PSF will follow-up with the student, and if appropriate, their employer to discuss any issues. NB: The employer will not receive your final funding payment until all work is completed.
What if the trainee is concerned about their progress?
Contact the Student Support officer – we are here to help you to succeed.
What should the employer do if she is unhappy with the progress of the trainee?
Please contact our Commercial Course Manager to discuss any issues.
What happens if PSF are concerned about the progress of the trainee ?
With the consent of the student, we will contact the employer to discuss any issues.
What of the employer trainee wish to discontinue the traineeship ?
You will need to inform your Apprenticeship Centre and PSF. If the trainee wishes to continue training at PSF they will become a Full Fee paying Student.
For more information, to request a hard copy of the Traineeship Information Pack or to organise your enrolment, please contact us.