A Private Vocational School Licensed by the State of Michigan

Classes available at these Wesley Berry Floral Shop locations:

Detroit Downtown - 150 West Congress - Penobscot Building
Commerce - 2985 Haggerty Rd - North of Pontiac Trail
West Bloomfield -6677 Orchard Lake Rd - Just South of Maple

248-669-5786 richardt@800wesleys.com

Day & Evening Classes

The Professional Florists' Institute is an affiliate of Wesley Berry Flowers. We offer flower design classes presented by professional florists. You'll, be taught the skills you need to become employed in the floral industry or to design flower arrangements in your own home.

The State of Michigan Board of Education has continuously licensed the Professional Florists' Institute since 1979. This is a fully licensed school, bonded and complying with all laws regulations and requirements set forth by the State of Michigan and the United States of America.

The school offers a comfortable learning environment. Plenty of parking is available in a safe and well-lighted area. Many restaurants are located within walking distance. Classes are held in centrally located West Bloomfield, Michigan close to several major highways and expressways. Local accommodations may be easily found within just a few miles. A shuttle may be available to and from classes.

CLASS SCHEDULE, APPLICATION FOR ENROLLMENT AND STUDENT CONTRACT -These items can be reviewed at www.800wesleys.com/2010PFIsched.pdf this link is presented in Adobe PDF format. If you do not have web access we can be contacted by telephone at 248 851-2881 and mail them to you.

Our unique, professional method is what makes the Professional Florists' Institute the best floral school anywhere. Our fully trained staff of successful florists is what keeps us as the industry's most up-to-date and professional floral institute.

"What does the florist business have to offer me and what is it like?" These are the primary questions on the minds of most people entering the Professional Florists' Institute.

To the man or woman who wants a challenging profession, floral designing offers many advantages. It is a field that is constantly alive, where new ideas are always welcome and where advancement is unlimited.

Annual floral industry sales are over 16 billion dollars with the average florist doing about $300,000 a year. Numerous employment opportunities await the trained floral designer in downtown or neighborhood floral shops. It's a profitable business because of modern consumer demands, and a practical business because of the ease of learning.

For those who are truly serious about a career as a Professional Florist, the goal of becoming a "MASTER FLORAL DESIGNER" is fundamental. The first step is the successful completion of a minimum 40 hour Internship and the following courses:

PRO 101 Floral Designs

ADV 201 Adv Floral Design

ADV 202 Oriental Design

A "MASTER FLORAL DESIGNER" examination may then be scheduled. The fee for this examination is $75.00 and must be paid at the same time the examination is scheduled. This fee is waived for students who pay for all three required courses together on the same day of enrollment.

You will have two hours to complete this examination. During this time you will design several arrangements. Only upon satisfactory completion will the honor of a "MASTER FLORAL DESIGNER" Diploma be awarded-perfect for display on the wall of your home, office, or florist shop.

PROFESSIONAL COURSE 101

This is the most complete course offered anywhere for those with little or no experience. Professional care, handling & identification of over 25 flowers is covered. Many types of designs are taught, including corsages, home & hospital designs, as well as basic wedding & sympathy designs. Roses are covered in great detail. However, the majority of the class deals with everyday arrangements that could be used in a home. This course will give you the entry-level skills you need to become employed in the floral industry.

Without question, Professional Course 101 is unmatched. Any student who has the desire can acquire more skills and ability from this class than from any other form of training available.

Upon successful completion of the course, most students will possess the design ability needed to become fully employed. Our unique method of teaching is what sets us apart.

Although not all flowers are necessarily available for students to take home, each time a class meets you will take home to enjoy at least one flower arrangement. A Floral Design Recipe Manual is included in the cost of this class.

This class will consist of 40 instruction hours. All flowers and supplies are included with the cost of tuition.

The tuition for this course is $450.00 plus a $100.00 registration fee is required with you application for enrollment.

INTERNSHIPS

Using a special arrangement, qualified students can be placed as interns within the floral industry. These Internships are usually awarded to individuals who have completed Professional Course 101 or enrolled in the full "MASTER FLORAL DESIGNER PROGRAM". However some internships are open to qualified students around floral holidays, these may only last a few days or a few weeks. Often these Internships lead to employment opportunities.

ADVANCED COURSE 201

The purpose of this course is to teach the student how to master the very artistic and profitable fields of advanced wedding, sympathy, home, hospital and stylized designs. Students will master and specialize in the creation of set work like crosses, hearts, and many other designs. Also wedding bouquets and stylized design will be mastered. Designers capable of funeral, wedding and stylized creations such as those taught in this class are among the highest paid in the floral industry. A prerequisite for this course is either the completion of Floral Design PRO 101 or having worked in a florist shop for not less than six months.

This class will consist of 40 instruction hours. All flowers and supplies are included with the cost of tuition.

The semi-private class tuition is $550.00 plus a $100.00 registration fee, required with your application for enrollment.

ADVANCED COURSE 202

A fun and exciting program filled with new experiences, this class is intended for those experienced individuals who would like to become more artistic. The instructor will focus more on the artistic quality of High Style, Contemporary and Oriental Design with a clear emphasis on stylized designing. The natural beauty and symbolism of oriental styles are explained and drawn upon in this class. A prerequisite for this course is completion of both Floral Design PRO 101 and Advanced Floral Design ADV 201 or having worked in a florist shop for not less than nine months.

This class consists of 40 instruction hours. All flowers and supplies are included with the cost of tuition.

The semi-private class tuition is $550.00 plus a $100.00 registration fee which is required with your application for enrollment.

Wesley Berry, Director & Instructor

A lifetime in the floral business provides the basis upon which Wes can draw when developing and maintaining this floriculture program. He is a 1975 graduate of the Oakland Technical Center completing a two-year Floriculture Program with a 4.0 grade point average. In 1982 he completed the prestigious FTD Master Florist Manager Certification Program. He has been a commentator for FTD Design Shows and was involved in designing sets for several ABC and CBS television shows.

Wes has served as consultant for the establishment of over 40 retail florist shops. Earlier in his career he developed and operated a franchise system of 30 retail flower shops located in a five state area. Choosing to sell off most of those franchises in the 1990's he currently operates five retail flower shops and still maintains a few franchise relationships. With sales in the
multi-million dollar range, his shops operate in the top one percent of retail flower shops nationwide.

Wes is a member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF). He served on the Board of the Allied Florist Association. He maintains memberships in FTD, Teleflora and The Society of American Florist.

Mi Lee Berry, Director & Instructor

Mi Lee is a Master Floral Designer with over 20 years of experience in designing floral arrangements for all occasions. She is a member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF). Her expertise is in designing arrangements for weddings and special events. Mi Lee's designs have been featured in bridal magazines. She has regularly appeared on several TV newscasts during the Holiday Season to demonstrate her designs. Her design techniques include both traditional and avant-garde styles.

Richard Thibodeau, Head Instructor

Richard has been involved in the floral industry since 1964. A graduate of the Michigan State University Floriculture program, he has owned his own floral shop, and been an instructor of Floral Design and Management at Macomb Community College. His wealth of information and experience will enhance your classroom experience. He joined the staff of Wesley Berry Flowers in 2008 as a manager, designer and instructor.

Todd Smith, Instructor

Todd has over 30 years of experience in floral design and management. He is highly respected across the State of Michigan and throughout the floral industry. A winner of numerous state design competitions. His funeral arrangement designs are representative of true expert craftsmanship. In 2008 Todd joined Wesley Berry Flowers as a manger and floral designer.

Joe Osman, Instructor

Joe is an internationally renowned florist. For over 25 years he has owned flower shops in both Europe and New York. Joe joined Wesley Berry Flowers in 1998 as a manager and floral designer.

The selection of instructors is based on their practical experience in the floral industry and their specialized training. Each instructor's qualifications are on file with the State of Michigan, Department of Education.

CONDUCT

Students shall be a credit to themselves and to the school. All rules must be followed. The school administration maintains the right to dismiss students for violation of school rules or for conduct which reflects unfavorably on the reputation or operation of the school.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Medical, serious illness, death in family, absences or tardiness may be made up by special arrangement with school officials. Excessive absences may be a basis for dismissal.

GRADING

Instructors provide grades at regular intervals. A minimum of a "C" average is required to successfully complete a program and be awarded a certificate or diploma.

RE-ENTRANCE

Students who have been dropped or dismissed may be re-enrolled by special arrangement with the school administration.

REFUND POLICY

Any student may cancel his enrollment at any time by submitting a written resignation and assuming the following financial obligations to the school.

• Students canceling prior to the beginning of the first scheduled class will be responsible for payment of 15% of the course cost plus the registration fee.
• Students who begin classes but complete less than 50% of the total program will be responsible for a pro rata cost of the course plus the registration fee and 25% of the total course cost.
• All payments of registration, enrollment and tuition fees not covered above will be refunded to the student.
• Students who complete 50% of the program or more will not be eligible for a refund.
• All tuition and fees paid by the applicant shall be refunded if the application is rejected by the school before enrollment. All tuition and fees paid by the applicant shall be refunded if requested within three business days after signing a contract with the school. All refunds shall be returned within 30 days.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

School will alter its schedule near Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Veteran's Day, Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day, Easter, Secretary's Week, and Mother's Day.

PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress reports will be available on request after class hours. A final report will be given verbally at the end of the term. The instructor may give special assistance if no unexcused absences are recorded.

PLACEMENT

The school does not guaranteed placement of its graduates. However, a comprehensive placement service is maintained.

CERTIFIED OR DIPLOMAS

Students who have completed all of a course's requirements with at least a "C" average will be granted a Certificate or Diploma suitable for framing.

CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS TRAINING

Credit for previous training is not usually available. Under special circumstances an individual with five or more years of full time employment as a Floral Designer may petition for previous training credit.

MATTERIALS AND SUPPLIES

Students are not required to supply any materials. All required flowers, materials and supplies are provided.

ENROLLMENT DATES

Enrollment will be accepted at any time. Classes, however, fill very quickly, so apply as soon as possible.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Enrollment is limited to students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, or who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance, and demonstrate through valid assessment an ability to benefit from the educational experience.

FINANCIAL AID

Scholarship or grants are gifts and need not be repaid. Financial aid may be acquired in several ways:

1) Request a florist to sponsor your attendance of the course. There is no cost involved to the florist and the amount of your scholarship will vary.

2) A Financial Need Scholarship is available based upon your income and ability to pay. The amount of the scholarship will vary relative to the demand.

Other tuition assistance programs are available from various sources. If you have a desire to attend our courses, we will help you find financial aid. This aid might involve a combination of personal funds, grants, scholarships or installment payments, or loans.