85101
Harvesting labourers
- Express Entry skill level
- No
- Regulated in Québec
- No
- In demand in Manitoba
- No
Classification
Natural resources & agriculture
8 › 85 › 851 › 8510
Definition
Harvesting labourers and related workers assist other farm workers to plant, harvest, sort and pack crops. They participate in soil preparation, irrigation and crop planting, spraying and thinning. They are employed on fruit, vegetable and specialty crop farms.
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare and irrigate soil
- Plant, fertilize, thin and harvest crops
- Pick row and orchard crops
- Sort, weigh and pack fruit and vegetables at the farm
- Load, unload and transfer crates, supplies, farm produce and products for transport
- Clean up racks, trays, and harvest bins and general clean-up of growing, producing and packing areas
- Assist with general farm maintenance and maintenance of equipment and tools
- May assist in preparing garden beds for planting
- May write daily progress reports of inventory harvested.
Example job titles
- •apple picker
- •berry picker
- •crop farm labourer - harvesting
- •fruit picker
- •fruit sorter - farm
- •harvest hand
- •vegetable packer - farm
Overview
Under Canada's NOC 2021 classification, Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101) fall under TEER 5. These workers play a vital role in Canada's agricultural sector by assisting skilled farm workers in harvesting crops, fruits, vegetables, and other specialty plants. Typical duties include hand-harvesting, sorting, grading, packing crops, planting, and clearing agricultural fields. This occupation is highly sought after across various provinces to address seasonal and year-round labor shortages.
Foreign nationals looking to work in Canada under NOC 85101 have several immigration and work permit pathways. These include the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Agricultural Stream, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), and specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) targeting entry-level agricultural workers. Furthermore, experienced agricultural workers may qualify for permanent residency through the Agri-Food Pilot program, provided they meet the specific work experience and language proficiency requirements.
Employment as a harvesting labourer typically has no formal educational requirements, though physical stamina and the ability to work in various weather conditions are essential. Some employers may require basic on-the-job training. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For official guidelines, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated immigration professional.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.