Business
50
September | 2021
e fl ower industry is fortunate to have a number of organizations
involved in attracting young workers to our industry. In addition to
the career development and education programs cited in this article,
there are others to be aware of and utilize—and support!
American Floral Endowment
e American Floral Endowment (AFE), based in Alexandria, Va., has created the
"AFE Career Center" (afecareercenter.com), which provides detailed information
about various fl oral industry careers and assists anyone considering such a career
in determining which path might be the best for them.
In addition, the AFE off ers paid internships (endowment.org/internships)
and more than 20 scholarships (endowment.org/scholarships) annually for
undergraduate and graduate students. e organization also is allied with Seed
Your Future, which you can learn more about at endowment.org/seed-your-future.
To keep young industry professionals excited, interested and growing, the AFE's
" Young Professionals Council (YPC)" (endowment.org/ypc) off ers leadership and
networking opportunities and encourages them to get involved in volunteer
opportunities in the industry.
Learn more about the full range of the AFE's career development and education
programs at endowment.org/careers and endowment.org/students.
Produce Marketing Association
e Produce Marketing Association (PMA)—primarily an association for the
mass-market fl oral and produce industries—has a division called "Center for
Growing Talent (CGT)."
e CGT off ers a "Careers Pathways Program" (pma.com/events/cgt-career-
pathways) for college students, which off ers a glimpse inside the global fl oral
and produce industries, as well as the career opportunities, potential and
rewards within those industries.
In addition, the CGT has developed a "Management Fundamentals for Young
Professionals Program" (pma.com/events/cgt-young-professionals-management-
fundamentals), which is a 12-month certifi cate program for young leaders in
fl oral and produce.
Tennessee State Florists Association
Like the Texas State Florists' Association, the Tennessee State Florists' Association
(TSFA) off ers several professional development opportunities, including a
partnership with the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America)
in which TSFA works with high schools throughout the state to mentor those
considering a fl oral design career. Learn more about this and other TSFA career
and professional development programs at tnsfa.com/new-index-1.
"
If you want to
attract and retain
great employees,
you must offer
competitive
pay, benefits,
training, safety,
compassionate
relationships and
a strong culture.
— Glenna Hecht
HR guru and founder of
Humanistic Consulting
