NOC 85121Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers

TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education

NOC 85121 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers. It is classified TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education, which does not meet the skill requirement for Express Entry's federal programs. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.

Express Entry eligible: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Natural resources & agriculture

8 › 85 › 851 › 8512

Definition

Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers perform work to assist in the construction of landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors and other landscaped areas. They are employed by landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaping operations of public works departments and private establishments.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Spread top soil, lay sod, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and trees and perform other duties to assist with the construction of a landscape and related structures
Cut grass, rake, aerate, dethatch, fertilize and water lawns, weed gardens, prune shrubs and trees and perform other maintenance duties as directed by supervisor
Maintain lawns and grass along roadsides
Operate and maintain power mowers, tractors, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, pruning saws, snowblowers and other landscape maintenance equipment
Spray and dust trees, shrubs, lawns and gardens, as directed, to control insects and disease
Perform other manual duties to clean and maintain landscaped environments.

Example job titles

•bulb planter - landscaping
•cemetery labourer
•gardening helper
•golf course worker
•grass cutter
•grounds maintenance worker
•landscape labourer
•park maintenance labourer

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Overview

Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers (NOC 2021 code 85121) perform vital work maintaining public and private outdoor spaces across Canada. According to the ESDC classification, individuals in this unit group are employed by landscaping, lawn care, and cemetery companies, as well as golf courses, public departments, and private establishments. Their core duties include cutting grass, raking lawns, weeding gardens, planting trees and shrubs, shoveling snow, and assisting with the construction of outdoor structures by laying sod or paving stones.

This occupation is classified under TEER 5 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. While there are no formal academic requirements, some secondary school education may be required by employers, and a provincial license is often necessary for chemical pesticide application. For foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada under NOC 85121, options generally involve employer-sponsored pathways such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams targeting semi-skilled and entry-level workers.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Frequently asked questions

Is NOC 85121 eligible for Express Entry?

Not for Express Entry's federal skilled programs — Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers is TEER 5, and TEER 4–5 occupations don't meet that skill level. Provincial streams and other pathways may still be open; run the eligibility check to see which.

What education or training does NOC 85121 usually require?

Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers is classified as TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.