How to Find Jobs in Canada for Farm Workers
Canada is one of the biggest agricultural producers and exporters (ranked 5th -worldwide in 2018), with more than 193,000 farms and 272,000 farm operators (2016).
This sector has contributed as much as 48 billion CAD to national GDP in 2021 (compared to 40 billion in 2016).
Moreover, farm sector money holdings raised from 474 to 563 billion CAD in five last years. Nowadays, 1 in 58 residents is a part of the farm population. Agriculture jobs in Canada are fulfilling and lucrative, with a household income of 82,000 vs 70,000 CAD for total work sectors (2016).
Canada needs skilled farmworkers of all levels to fill the current labour gap that the market is facing, which means that your chances to move to Canada as a farmworker just got bigger. There are many in-demand jobs in Canada for foreigners, and agriculture sector has high demand too! This is why the Canadian government has implemented programs to encourage skilled foreign workers in the agricultural industry to immigrate to Canada. 👨🌾
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How to Immigrate to Canada in the Farming and Agricultural Sectors
The immigration to Canada process can be explained in two terms: Strict and Structured. IRCC ministry (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada) supervises its policy on the federal level.
- Immigration streams (programs) are always purpose-oriented (full expatriate, work, study, family sponsor, business, cultural gain)
- Immigration streams are always length-stay established (temporary with a due date, temporary with further permanent stay option, permanent residency)
- Immigration streams can be proposed as federal or provincial programs.
- Despite the federal vision to accept more than 400,000 immigrants every year for the next half-decade, millions of candidates try hard to apply worldwide.
Therefore, almost all immigration streams are based on the several criteria a candidate may have.
With those facts, a candidate should prepare himself before starting his project according to these basic rules :
- Does he plan to make a new start, work for some time or to open a business?
- What is the agricultural sector and occupation in which he plans to work?
- Which programs and provinces meet his need, and is he eligible to apply for candidacy?
If official immigration sites claim to register alone through the whole procedure, reality shows its difficulty.
More than often, applicants get a refusal for many reasons: faulty or incomplete forms, false documents provided, misunderstanding the process timelines -among others.
Did you know that it is almost impossible to be aware of all Canadian immigration programs in effect without professional assistance?
Some major streams as Express Entry, Skilled workers and PNP are well documented on sites. Still, dozens of others – targeted streams, pilot immigration programs and much more aren`t constantly updated on federal or provincial main site pages.
Moreover, applicants have to proceed one by one: Check their eligibility for a program (which might not be the most suitable for one`s expectations), then move on to the second and so on.
This method is not just time-wasting; it lacks the most crucial purpose of immigration: to match one`s profile and needs to available immigration streams criteria and offers.
CanadaCIS solves those mistakes. We provide immigration consultancy and assistance based on many years of experience helping people immigrate to Canada.
Our experts and consultants are committed to guiding you through every step of the journey. We will save plenty of your time so you can focus on so many other tasks when it comes to a life`s project as immigration.
After opening your file, our immigration consultants and lawyers will establish your eligibility assessment for all active immigration programs and streams in parallel. In addition, you get informed and updated of all criteria requested and programs main procedures and offers.
We propose you the best path for your journey. Once chosen, we supervise its administrative part and help you transcript your CV, find a proper job, housing, diplomas evaluation to Canadian standards, linguistic courses and much more. All our services are focused on nothing but making sure you prevail.
Main Immigration Programs for Farm Workers and Agricultural Sector
Express Entry System
The Express Entry System is a point-based system ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) where applicants are scored according to factors such as their age, work experience, and qualifications.
It is the main federal immigration program for skilled workers only. It means that an applicant to this program must have some work experience in upper ranks of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) such as managers in agriculture (NOC 0821), horticulture (0822), aquaculture (0823), Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers (8252)
Provincial Nominee Program
One of the best ways to immigrate to Canada as a farmworker is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
11 out of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories have their own PNP, each with its own set of criteria, targeting a specific need in the region’s labour market. Each province has its own set of in-demand occupations and farmworkers are in demand in several provinces in territories. Provincial Nominee Program allows streams at NOC C and D level ( it means they accept jobs with lower diplomas) and these opportunities have been increased significantly in recent years.
Agrifood Pilot Program
The Agri-Food Pilot is another way to immigrate.
It helps for the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations. It will run until May 2023. Agri-Food Immigration Pilot launched is open to NOC C and D occupations.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
It`s an Employment and Social Development program (co-led with IRCC) and the Primary Agriculture Stream, which includes the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (limited to workers from Mexico and 11 Caribbean countries for seasonal work of up to 8 months). Open also for NOC C and D.
Farm and Agriculture Work Sectors
There are plenty of Farm and agricultural NOC occupations. Here is a list of main sectors and their subdivisions:
Managers in agriculture plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations and functions of farms. They are for growing crops, raising and breeding livestock, poultry and other animals and marketing farm products. They usually own and operate their own establishment.
- cereal farm manager
- cereal grower
- cereal producer
- chicken farmer
- cow-calf operator
- crop farmer
- dairy cattle breeder
- dairy farm manager
- dairy farmer
- dog breeder
- domestic animal breeder
- egg producer
- farm manager
- farmer (except nursery and fish farm)
- feedlot farmer
- forage crop farmer
- fruit farm operator
- fruit farmer
- fruit grower
- fruit producer
- fur farmer
- fur-bearing-animal farmer
- ginseng grower
- goat breeder
- grain and oilseed farmer
- grain and oilseed grower
- grain and oilseed producer
- grain farm manager
- grain farm operator
- grain farmer
- grain grower
- grain producer
- grape grower
- grape producer
- hatchery manager
- hatchery operator
- hog breeder
- hog farmer
- hog producer
- hop grower
- hop producer
- horse breeder
- kennel operator
- livestock farmer
- maple syrup producer
- market gardener
- mixed farmer
- mushroom grower
- mushroom producer
- organic grower
- pheasant breeder
- potato farmer
- potato grower
- potato producer
- poultry breeder
- poultry breeder – egg production
- poultry farm manager
- poultry farmer – egg production
- poultry producer
- rabbit breeder
- rancher
- ranchman/woman
- rodent breeder
- rodent raiser
- seed farmer
- seed grower
- seed producer
- sheep farm operator
- sheep farmer
- sod farmer
- sugar beet farmer
- sugar maple grower
- tobacco farmer
- tomato grower
- tropical fish breeder
- turf farmer
- turkey producer
- vegetable gardener
- vegetable grower
- vineyard manager
- viticulturist
- wheat farmer
- wheat grower
- wheat producer
- animal breeder
- animal farmer
- apiarist
- apiculturist
- apple grower
- apple producer
- bean sprout farmer
- bean sprout grower
- beef cattle farmer
- beef producer
- beekeeper
- bird breeder
- broiler chicken producer
- broiler producer
- cat breeder
- cattle rancher
- cereal and oilseed grower
- cereal and oilseed producer
Managers in horticulture plan, organize, direct and control the activities of nursery and greenhouse staff who grow and market trees, shrubs, flowers and plants.
- Master grower – cannabis
- Nursery manager
- Nursery operator
- Nurseryman/woman
- Plant grower – nursery
- Rose grower
- Shrub grower
- Tree grower – nursery
- Tree nursery operator
- Christmas tree farm operator
- Evergreen grower
- Flower grower
- Greenhouse manager
- Greenhouse operator
- Head grower – cannabis
- Horticultural greenhouse operator
- Hothouse flower grower
- Hydroponic greenhouse operator
- Hydroponics grower
- Hydroponics operator
Managers in aquaculture manage operations of facilities which cultivate and harvest fish, shellfish or marine plants for replenishment of wildlife stocks or for commercial sale. They are employed by public or private fish hatcheries and commercial aquatic farms, or they may be self-employed.
- Lobster farmer
- Mussel farmer
- Mussel grower
- Oyster farmer
- Oyster grower
- Salmon farmer
- Salmon grower
- Trout farmer
- Aquaculture manager
- Aquaculture operator
- Eel farmer
- Fish culture manager
- Fish culture operator
- Fish farm manager
- Fish farm operator
- Fish farmer
- Fish hatchery manager
- Fish hatchery operator
Agricultural service contractors provide agricultural services such as livestock and poultry breeding, soil preparation, crop planting, crop spraying, cultivating or harvesting. Farm supervisors supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers. Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Contractors may be self-employed.
- Egg grading station manager
- Farm boss
- Farm business foreman/woman
- Farm foreman/woman
- Farm irrigating system contractor
- Farm machinery custom operator
- Farm operation foreman/woman
- Farm operation supervisor
- Farm produce grading service contractor
- Farm produce packing service contractor
- Farm supervisor
- Farm workers supervisor
- Feedlot foreman/woman
- Feedlot herd attendant
- Fertilization service contractor – agriculture
- Field crop and vegetable workers foreman/woman
- Field crop foreman/woman
- Field-grown crop foreman/woman
- Field-grown crop workers foreman/woman
- Fruit farm foreman/woman
- Fruit farm workers foreman/woman
- Grain crop foreman/woman
- Grain custom harvester
- Hatchery foreman/woman
- Hatchery workers foreman/woman
- Herd attendant
- Herd superintendent
- Herdsman/woman
- Herdsperson
- Hog farm foreman/woman
- Hog farm supervisor
- Hog farm workers supervisor
- Hog operation supervisor
- Hop farm foreman/woman
- Horse stable foreman/woman
- Horse trainer
- Irrigation supervisor – agriculture
- Livery stable foreman/woman
- Livestock attendant
- Livestock breeding service contractor
- Livestock exchange contractor
- Livestock farm workers foreman/woman
- Livestock foreman/woman
- Livestock raising foreman/woman
- Maple products foreman/woman – agriculture
- Milking services contractor
- Mink farm supervisor
- Mink ranch supervisor
- Orchard foreman/woman
- Pasture-managing supervisor
- Planting and cultivation contractor
- Pork production technician
- Pork production technician apprentice
- Poultry farm foreman/woman
- Poultry farm workers foreman/woman
- Poultry operation supervisor
- Poultry-hatching services contractor
- Racehorse trainer
- Ranch foreman/woman
- Seed cleaning service contractor
- Seeding contractor
- Sheep handler
- Sheep herdsperson
- Sheep shearing contractor
- Shepherd
- Soil preparation contractor
- Soil-testing service contractor
- Stable boss
- Stockyard and herdsmen foreman/woman
- Sugarbush operation foreman/woman
- Swine herdsperson
- Tobacco farm foreman/woman
- Tobacco farming workers foreman/woman
- Turkey farm foreman/woman
- Turkey farming workers foreman/woman
- Vegetable farm foreman/woman
- Vegetable farm workers foreman/woman
- Vineyard foreman/woman
- Vineyard workers foreman/woman
- Weed control service contractor – agriculture
- Wool shearing contractor
- Aerial crop-dusting service contractor
- Agriculture foreman/woman
- Animal husbandry foreman/woman
- Apple orchard foreman/woman
- Artificial insemination service contractor
- Artificial inseminator
- Beef cattle herdsperson
- Caponizing service contractor
- Cattle feedlot foreman/woman
- Cattle herdsperson
- Cattle ranch foreman/woman
- Contractor – agricultural service
- Corral boss
- Crop dusting contractor
- Crop dusting service contractor
- Crop harvesting contractor
- Crop harvesting service contractor
- Custom combine contractor
- Custom combine operator
- Custom harvester
- Dairy farm foreman/woman
- Dairy farm workers foreman/woman
- Dairy herdsperson
- Dehorning service contractor
- Dressage and stunt horse trainer
General farm workers plant, cultivate and harvest crops, raise livestock and poultry and maintain and repair farm equipment and buildings. This unit group includes operators of farm machinery. They are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.
- Apiary technician
- Apiary worker
- Baler – agriculture
- Baling machine operator – farm
- Barn worker
- Bee farm worker
- Beef cattle farm worker
- Beekeeping technician
- Binder operator – agriculture
- Cattle ranch labourer
- Cattle ranch worker
- Chick sexer
- Chicken catcher
- Chore hand – agriculture
- Combine operator
- Cowboy/cowgirl
- Cowhand
- Cowpuncher
- Cropsprayer machine operator
- Cultivator operator
- Custom harvest crewperson
- Dairy farm labourer
- Dairy farm worker
- Dairy hand
- Egg candler
- Egg collector
- Egg gatherer
- Egg grader
- Egg grading machine tender
- Egg grading station labourer
- Egg packer – farm
- Egg picker – poultry
- Egg processing machine tender
- Farm equipment operator
- Farm hand
- Farm labourer
- Farm machinery operator
- Farm worker
- Farrowing technician
- Feedlot assistant
- Feedlot worker
- Feedyard assistant
- Feedyard worker
- Field and vegetable crop labourer
- Field crop and vegetable-growing worker
- Fruit examiner – agriculture
- Fruit farm labourer
- Fruit farm worker
- Fruit farming labourer
- Fruit tree pruner
- Fruit tree thinner
- Fur farm worker
- Fur farming worker
- Fur ranch labourer
- General farm worker
- Grafter – orchard
- Grain farm labourer
- Grain farm worker
- Groom – farm
- Harvester machine operator
- Hatchery worker
- Hay baler operator – agriculture
- Herd hand
- Herder – stockyards
- Hog farm worker
- Honey farm worker
- Hop-picking machine operator
- Horse breaker
- Incubator tender – agriculture
- Irrigation worker – agriculture
- Irrigator – agriculture
- Lamb feedlot worker
- Livestock driver
- Livestock labourer
- Livestock weigher
- Livestock yard attendant
- Livestock yardman/woman
- Maple syrup maker
- Maple tapping worker
- Market garden worker
- Milk production labourer
- Milking machine tender
- Mushroom farm worker
- Oilseed crop worker
- Orchard worker
- Organic farm worker
- Pasture rider
- Penrider
- Pheasant farm worker
- Poultry farm labourer
- Poultry farm worker
- Poultry yard cleaner
- Racehorse exerciser
- Ranch hand
- Ranch worker
- Sheep feedlot worker
- Sheep shearer
- Soya bean crop worker
- Stable assistant
- Stable hand
- Stable worker
- Stableman/woman
- Stock attendant
- Stockyard attendant
- Sugar bush worker
- Sugar-beet farm worker
- Swine technician
- Threshing machine operator
- Tobacco curer
- Tobacco farm worker
- Tobacco harvesting machine operator
- Tobacco primer
- Tractor operator – farm
- Vegetable farm worker
- Vegetable thinner
- Vineyard pruner
- Vineyard worker
Harvesting labourers assist other farm workers to harvest, sort and pack crops.
- Apple picker
- Berry picker
- Crop farm labourer – harvesting
- Cucumber picker
- Field-grown crop farm labourer – harvesting
- Fruit harvest worker
- Fruit harvester
- Fruit harvesting labourer
- Fruit or vegetable picker
- Fruit packer – farm
- Fruit picker
- Fruit sorter – farm
- Harvest hand
- Harvest worker
- Harvesting labourer
- Mushroom picker
- Small fruit picker
- Tobacco cutter – tobacco harvesting
- Tobacco picker
- Tobacco stripper – tobacco harvesting
- Tomato picker
- Vegetable packer – farm
- Vegetable picker
- Vegetable sorter – farm
- Worm harvester
- Worm packer
- Worm picker
How to Find a Job in Canada as a Farmer
When it comes to finding a job, try the job search site first, so you get a clear picture of what kinds of jobs are in demand in Canada today in the Farm and Agricultural sector. (Monster, Canada-jobs and so are good options for that)
Social Media is an excellent way for immigrants to find a job. This networking will help you find contacts, companies and events related to Jobs in Canada so you can get precise answers.
You might contact Employment agencies. They can quickly provide you with job offers and opportunities suitable for your skills. Here are some examples:
- Traditional Employment Agency
- Contingency Employment Agency
- Temporary (Temp) Agency
Keep in mind that finding a job often makes the difference between immigration approval or no. But necessary as it is, it also takes time and energy needed for other things to prepare when it comes to starting a new life in Canada. This is why most of our clients ask for our assistance for that. CIS Canada has gained the highest experience to help our clients finding a job over the past years.
Our job recruitments experts are committed to assisting you from A to Z:
- Learn your professional profile and match it to boost your CV, according to Canadian standards.
- Apply for dozens of jobs that meet your needs using our vast network of Companies and Employment Agencies.
- Prepare our clients for Job interviews, especially Do’s and Don’t’s
- Help employers with LMIA ( Labour Market Impact Assessment ) if required.
