FROM starting as the Saturday girl Jayne Buet has had an impressive rise through the ranks.

Jayne was named Floristry Tutor of the Year for her work at Glasgow Clyde College.

And she says personality is just as important as talent when it comes to making a success of a career in floristry.

She said: "You have to have the right temperament, you have to be a good listener.

"It is very physical work but you also have to have the right personality as you are dealing with people at what are often huge milestones in their lives.

"You need to be sensitive at the right time and excited with the brides.

"It's important to be honest with your customer and advise them appropriately.

"You can have to come to a compromise and having that depth of knowledge and experience helps with that." Jayne started out as a Saturday girl in a locallyowned business and then went on to be manager of the flower, fruit and veg shop.

From there, she began doing some demonstrations at a local garden centre and realised she had a passion for public speaking.

The local college approached her about running some classes and that was that.

Jayne said: "Instead of selling bunched flowers in the shop I was really interested in the artistic side.

"I loved that it is different every day and that you're meeting customers. Because the flowers are fresh and individual, you might be making similar things but no two are ever the same."

Students for the course, which is the largest provider of training in the west of Scotland, come from as far afield as Aberdeen to take part.

People are often surprised to learn how physically arduous the job is.

Jayne said: "At one time the florist was more inclined to go to the wholesale market, although there is more online and delivery in the shops now, so that meant very early mornings.

"You can suffer from chilblains because the flowers have to be kept around two to five degrees so you're working in a cold environment and your hands are going in and out of water handling stems.

"You are dealing with heavy water buckets that the flowers sit in so you're lifting and carrying.

"You're on your feet all day. A florist will rarely sit down.

"It generally used to be early mornings but online buying has changed that to some degree."

Jayne's award came from the British Florist Association Awards (BFA), which also gave the college runnerup in the Training Provider of the Year category at the awards.

In 2018, Glasgow Clyde College introduced a City and Guilds Technical Qualification focusing on providing work experience for students and working with businesses involved in the industry.

Jayne said: "Receiving this award in front of over 200 industry colleagues is definitely a highlight in my career."