Jen's Flowers third year apprentice Tamika MacKrell and Arrangements with Flair florist Jessica Stephenson won awards for being the best second year and third year apprentice respectively at Marjorie Milner College at Surry Hills in Melbourne.

Ms Stephenson was named the most outstanding third year apprentice and Ms MacKrell the top second year apprentice.

Ms Stephenson has also been named a finalist in the floristry category for Apprentice of the Year for Victoria and Tasmania.

Ms MacKrell's award follows on from her win in the Victorian Worldskills competition's floristry section.

She attributed her Worldskills success to the reason behind the award.

''It was a big surprise when I recently won (the Worldskills competition),'' she said.

''I think that helped my chances.''

Ms Stephenson was delighted to receive her award and it was the second consecutive year she has won an award for her studies.

''I was the most outstanding second year apprentice last year as well so it's nice I've been able to continue on,'' she said.

Ms MacKrell said Ms Stephenson's success had inspired her to work even harder next year.

''I've been really inspired by Jess (winning the two awards in a row) and I'll keep striving for next year to see if I can do the same,'' she said.

Keeping on top of their studies while working has been difficult for the two apprentices, who often had to book in their own accommodation whenever they visited Melbourne to attend courses at the college.

But Jen's Flowers owner Jenny Bailey said both girls had worked hard to achieve such good results.

She said she and Arrangements with Flair owner Queylyn Cobon were keen to teach their apprentices the skills they needed.

''It's a good result, especially when you have country girls competing against city florists,'' Ms Bailey said.

''It's a testament to the girls and how hard they work and for the two girls to win from the one little town is fantastic.''