Fruit picker is one of the many occupations documented by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada. If you’re looking to take up this job in 2024, the information in this article will be of immense help.
Who is a Fruit Picker?
A loose description is that this is someone who “picks fruits.” However, according to the NOC, a fruit picker is one of the titles assigned to the NOC Code 8611 (Harvesting Labourers). Generally, the job requires people who will help in picking, gathering and harvesting different kinds of fruits on farms.
Applicants for this job will be working in agricultural farms with farms in different parts of the country.
Job Description of a Fruit Picker in Canada
To qualify, applicants need to have an eye for details, as no fruits are to be left unpicked,” literally. The job description also includes:
- May write daily progress reports of inventory harvested.
- Pick row and orchard crops.
- Assist in preparing garden beds for planting.
- Sort, weigh and park both vegetables and fruits at the farm.
- Drive forklifts to load boxes of fruits/produce onto trucks.
- Load, unload and transfer crates, supplies, farm produce and products for transport.
- Help in general farm maintenance, as well as the maintenance of farm tools and equipment.
- Clean up trays, racks and harvest bins and make general clean up of growing, producing and packing areas.
Getting a Fruit Picker Job in Canada: Step-by-Step Process
It doesn’t matter where you come from or your age. The job is open to anyone and with no training requirements or specific education; you can be sure of less barrier to entry.
Yet, getting a fruit picker job in Canada requires following certain steps. This is the sequential order to make your application.
1. Start Searching for Open Fruit Picker Jobs
Keep in mind that this type of job is seasonal meaning that it may not be open all year. Before starting, here are a couple of things to do:
Understand the Market
This job is open across most of the provinces and territories in Canada. However, only a few (like Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec) have a higher demand). You should understand the dynamics and when these provinces and territories often require workers.
Understand the Employers’ Requirements
Different employers have specific requirements or criteria for foreigners looking to come and work as fruit pickers in Canada. Be sure to do further research into what each of them offers.
2. Use Job Sites
When you’ve satisfied yourself by meeting the requirements, you can now start looking for job openings. We recommend using industry-focused job sites or associations like:
- Carcajou Fruit
- BC Fruit Grower Association
- BC Cherry Association
- Jealous Fruits Recruitment
It is also a good idea to use specific job sites where most employers would publish the latest job postings. These include:
- ca
- The Canadian Job Bank
3. Prepare Your Resume
Your resume is what “sells you to the prospective employer.” So, make it appealing for the employer to be “sold instantly” and be willing to make you an offer.
Experts recommend the following tips when preparing a Canada-friendly Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Choose a Good Layout
The layout, formatting or presentation of the CV/resume plays an important role in whether you get hired or not. Here’s how to make the layout appealing:
- Use a template that showcases your talents and biodata.
- The layout should be chronologically ordered.
- Make the layout readable and scannable.
Be Truthful
At the expense of appearing experienced, some prospective fruit pickers add unnecessary or inflated details. Do not make that mistake. Stick to being truthful and transparent with your skills and what you’ll offer when hired.
Provide Clear Contact Details
You never can tell – the employer may want to take a chance on you. Thus, endeavour to provide clear contact details, especially your telephone number (with the country code), email address and social media handles if relevant.
4. Start Processing Your Visa
You’d need a Canadian visa to enter and work in the country. As a prospective fruit picker, an array of options is available for you to choose from.
Before we proceed on this chapter, here are a few things to note:
- The type of visa to get can be heavily influenced by factors like where you’re from.
- The visa you get can also determine the length of your stay in the country. As fruit picking is seasonal, you may want to explore Canada or even engage in other jobs when the season is over.
Here are some of the popular visa types for fruit pickers:
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Fruit-picking, being a seasonal job, means that you can apply for a Canadian visa that allows you to work on-season.
Applicants from specific countries can apply for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). The list of countries includes:
- Barbados
- Mexico
- Lucia
- Anguilla
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- Grenada
- Kitts-Nevis
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vincent and the Grenadines
- Dominica Republic
Why the SAWP?
This type of Canadian visa is recommended for fruit pickers for these reasons:
- It is your “ticket” to getting into Canada and working at farms (picking fruits).
- The visa can be valid for up to eight (8) months, especially during peak farming seasons.
Temporary Foreign Worker Permit
As fruit-picking is a temporary job, applicants can expect their stay in Canada to be for only a few months. Thus, getting a Temporary Foreign Worker Permit (TFWP) could be a good pathway to entering the country.
Here’s what to keep in mind before deciding on getting this visa:
NOC Requirements
The job you’re applying for must be on-farm primary agriculture. Fruit-picking is one such and is in the list of National Occupational Classification (NOC) with the code: 8611.
Employer-Specific Considerations
The TFWP is an employer-specific kind of visa, in the sense that it encourages workers to work for the specific employer (who employed them). As a closed work permit, TFWP requires applicants to work for the employer until the duration of the employment contract elapses.
Apply to the Agriculture Worker Stream
Applying to the Agriculture Worker Stream is a faster way to get the FTWP. Here’s why:
- This is the category that is related to the job you’re applying for (fruit picker).
- It also requires that the application should be for an employer who has shown that their type of job posting/opening is in the Canadian national commodity list. Most of the fruits grown in the country (including apples and berries) are on this list.
Eligibility Criteria
Applying for the Temporary Foreign Worker Permit (TFWP) is ideal for prospective fruit pickers who are looking to get visa sponsorship too. In this case, the employer or company offering the job must have completed the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), confirming that the needed workers cannot be locally sourced.
5. Apply for the Fruit-Picking Job
You have everything you need. Now, go ahead to apply for the job as a fruit picker, following these best practices:
- Choose the best visa program that aligns with your eligibility and country of origin.
- Apply for several fruit-picking jobs. That way, when the offers start coming, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
- Send your applications on time.
Conclusion
The process of applying for a fruit picker job in Canada can be quite confusing for first-timers, but we have streamlined the process for you. When you start receiving offers, carefully review them, paying special attention to the remuneration, whether visa support is included and the duration of the job.
Lastly, send in your applications to accept the offer(s) and follow through with the next processes. Your chances of getting the job depend on how you’re able to showcase your skills and enthusiasm during the assessments.