During the Skills Heroes final, held on March 20 and 21 at RAI Amsterdam, Jikke Jansen was proclaimed the best florist in the Netherlands. The vocational competition was organized by WorldSkills Netherlands.
Jansen (21), a third-year student in business management/entrepreneur florist level 4 at Aeres MBO Velp, won the title of 'Best Florist 2025'. In 2024, she already achieved a bronze medal. Thanks to guest lectures from experienced arrangers and the guidance of training company Flora-Inn from Bathmen, she demonstrated a clear growth in craftsmanship this year.
For the final, Jansen designed, among other things, a dress made of more than 500 hand-folded 'happertjes' (fortune tellers), made of paper based on apple peels. This was covered on the spot with flowers and presented on stage by her sister-in-law, who acted as a model. "I have learned to experiment more with different materials," said Jansen.
Creative overall concept
Within the theme 'Dress to Impress', Jansen also created a show bouquet, a hat, a shoe, a mirror, and a plant arrangement from a surprise box. She distinguished herself within a strong field of participants. Second place went to Thijmen Hommes (DC Terra), third place to Carine Stel (Zone.college).
Jansen may (subject to confirmation) represent the Netherlands at EuroSkills 2025 in Denmark from September 9-13.
