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Harvesting labourers

OaSIS code 85101.00

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.

Overview

Also known as

  • Apple picker
  • Berry picker
  • Crop farm labourer - harvesting
  • Fruit picker
  • Fruit sorter - farm
  • Harvest hand
  • Vegetable packer - farm

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.

Additional information

  • Progression to other farm worker positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Managers in agriculture (80020)
  • Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (84120)
  • Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (82030)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

TEER

5 – Occupations usually require short-term work demonstration and no formal education

Major group

85 – Harvesting, landscaping and natural resources labourers

Sub-major group

851 – Harvesting, landscaping and natural resources labourers

Minor group

8510 – Agriculture, horticulture and harvesting labourers and related occupations

Unit group

85101 – Harvesting labourers

Occupational profile

85101.00 – Harvesting labourers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Performing General Physical Activities
4 - High Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
2 - Low Level
Analyzing Data or Information
1 - Lowest Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
1 - Very low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
1 - Work with others but not closely (beyond 100 ft.)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Crop farms
  • Fruit farms
  • Livestock farms
  • Specialty farms
  • Vegetable farms

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Multi-Limb Coordination
5 - Highest Level
Trunk Strength
5 - Highest Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level
Depth Perception
4 - High Level
Dynamic Strength
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
2 - Low Level
Operation and Control
2 - Low Level
Preventative Maintenance
2 - Low Level
Quality Control Testing
2 - Low Level
Troubleshooting
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
3 - Important
Collaboration
3 - Important
Active Learning
2 - Somewhat important
Attention to Detail
2 - Somewhat important
Concern for Others
2 - Somewhat important