FloristWare is committed to helping better prepare floral program students for a career in the industry by allowing them to acquire hands-on experience with a POS system. With that in mind we provide a free educational version of our software as part of our ongoing effort to help retail florists and the industry thrive through focusing on more than just design.
"I knew from my own experience in the floral industry how powerful having a POS is for a floral shop, and that there was a gap in our curriculum if we could not give our students access to one. Having that hands-on experience when they begin an internship or apply for a job will give them a huge advantage. I also liked that FloristWare was an independent system that gives them the full range of a POS without being tied to a specific wire service."
A variety of schools - from small floral design schools to community colleges - are already using FloristWare in the classroom and, in some cases, their associated training stores.
"We feel very fortunate to have FloristWare provided free of charge for our students to use. We hold twice-yearly sales where they are able to use FloristWare to build the orders and then ring the sales up. This sets our program apart because our students graduate with real business skills on their resumes."
"Now our trainees can get real hands-on experience with a POS that teaches them about the business side of managing a floral shop - including marketing, managing employees, financial reporting and much more."
"The system is so easy to use, we can focus on the benefits of POS technology rather spending time on how to use it."
Profile: Jackson High School in Massillon Ohio
Jackson High School is a highly rated public high school in Massillon Ohio with approximately two thousand students in grades 9-12. They offer several Career and Technical programs designed to prepare students for careers in specific fields of expertise.
One of the best courses is their Horticulture Program. The program has a greenhouse of 2,500 square feet and horticulture students have won state competitions and represented Ohio in national competitions. They began using FloristWare in 2011.
“We feel very fortunate to have FloristWare provided free of charge for our students to use. It’s a very user-friendly system to teach and for students to learn. We hold twice-yearly sales where they are able to use FloristWare to build the orders and then ring the sales up. This hands-on floral POS experience sets our program apart because our students graduate with real business skills on their resumes” explains Roy J. Dria of Jackson High.
“We began this program a few years ago and have had consistently positive feedback from educators, who know that being able to train their students on the business side of being a florist is just as important as training them in floral design,” says Mark Anderson, President of FloristWare.
“We also hope to help their future employers by ensuring these students are starting their careers with a fuller range of business skills. Having POS experience gives them that extra tool in their toolbox, and its one that owners and managers really appreciate.”
"It all started with conversations with our existing florist clients" says FloristWare founder Mark Anderson. "Time after time they explained that there were no shortage of job applicants with basic training in design, but none with the other real world skills needed by a busy flower shop. The goal is by doing this, by helping florist schools provide a more rounded education to their students, we're helping our clients and the industry by adding more qualified potential hires to the ranks of people trying to get into the flower business."
A variety of schools - from small floral design schools to community colleges - are already using FloristWare in the classroom and, in some cases, their associated training stores.
If you are with a school or college and are interested in learning more please contact Susan Page at 1-888-531-3012 x708.