Introduction
Canada is a nation of broad spaces and developed history and there are numerous agricultural opportunities to devoted farmers. The range of agricultural output in the country is diverse with a growing trend of purchasing of locally produced goods that offer a good market to both established farmers and new players in the industry. Agriculture industry in Canada is a source of opportunity particularly with regard to a career change or seasonal jobs. Agricultural business is not only crucial to the economy of Canada but gives an opportunity of the immigrants who can settle down, in a country that is inclusive and community-based. The Canadian government places big emphasis on agricultural development and this has metamorphosed to numerous programs that are aimed at attracting competent foreign labor. This is especially beneficial to the immigrants since the demand of labor has always been high using agricultural work as compared to the local populations. This vacuum creates a mixed labor force of entry level job bodies and therefore, it is easy to get employed. Either in the traditional agriculture crop farming or in the new technology based agricultural activities, Canadian agriculture is a wide area and has a wide range of activities within growth and developments and, therefore, this implies that one can acquire a job role to the extent of his or her competence or desire. Moreover, the profession of a Canadian farmer will immerse individuals in the noisy cultural life of the country setting and assist them in benefiting the local community. It is also an opportunity to familiarize with the methods of acting sustainable, to communicate with locals, and even to look at the beauty of the Canadian countryside. This paper will discuss among other things the various entry level opportunities that can be explored by the immigrants in the agricultural sector, elaborate on the information they will need to apply and the kind of documentation they will need and provide resources that can be helpful to explore opportunities in the Canada farming industry.
Entry Level Jobs for Immigrants
The agricultural business sector in Canada when ventured provides a wide range of employment opportunities at the entry level aspects to the immigrants. Trying to get a feel of some of the most frequently found positions, the sectors they can revolve around and the salary they tend to bring, check out the table below:
| Job | Industry | Min Avg Salary (CAD) | Job exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Laborer | Agriculture | 30,000 – 40,000 | Simple manual chores (dig, harvest and ensure things are taken care of). |
| Greenhouse Worker | Horticulture | 32,000 – 42,000 | Through the employment, the worker works in the greenhouses, thus aiding in planting, watering and surveillance of the plants. |
| Livestock Handler | Animal Husbandry | 30,000 – 40,000 | Feeds, milk and check the illness of the animals. |
| Field Crop Worker | Agriculture | 28,000 – 38,000 | Sometimes help harvest field crops as well as cultivate and even plant field crops. |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | Agriculture | 35,000 – 45,000 | Drives tractor and other farm agricultural tractors during planting and during harvesting of crops. |
| Dairy Farm Employee | Dairy Production | 30,000 – 40,000 | Assists in milking and concerns with providing dairy cows food and taking care of them. |
| Organic Farm Hand | Organic Farming | 28,000 – 38,000 | It considers the usage of organic farming and planting as well as harvesting. |
| Farm Manager (Entry Level) | Agriculture | 40,000 – 50,000 | Runs farm objectives and oversees workers and plans activities. |
The table provides us with a description of the various entry level careers that the Canadian agricultural industry can avail to us. Majority of these positions accommodate the immigrants who have the needs of gaining experience and contributing to the industry.
Required Documents: Becoming a farmer in Canada and more so, an immigrant farmer demands one to set up a few papers and application requirements to anyone dreaming of joining the occupation. So here is the full list that would help you with the process:
- Work Permit: Most of the foreign employees will need to have work permit to work in Canada. This would be either employer or open work permit depending on your case.
- Signed and read Job Application Form: Make an application with a permit count form issued by the employer or in the government job portals.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV):An appropriately designed resume of work experience, education, skills and relevant certification. Include any experience even non-formal in farming.
- Distinction of qualifications: Any possible educational qualifications, vocational training or some kind of certification of any lawyers relating to farming, or agriculture.
- Reference Letters: References in letters of your previous employers or the mentors in the field of agriculture can be used to give strength to your application. These should reveal your talents and when you are working.
- Health and Safety Training Certificates: Health and safety training certifications that could be utilized during the performance of duties in such farms as First Aid or WHMIS must be offered.
- Language Proficiency: Depending on the region and the employer, you may be requested to demonstrate a competency in the English or the French speaking language, which in most of the times may be attained with the simple provision of a standardized test score, i.e. IELTS or TEF.
- Identification Documents: A copy of one of your passports and/or any other character i.e. national ID card.
- Application Fee: When one applies to obtain a work permit or any other service of the government, the individual should be ready to pay any given fee.
- Criminal History Search: Being an employer, others have the probable demand of carrying out a review of criminal record as a condition of drawing an employment contract. They will be specific to a job or permit so check them out to be compliant. It is quite essential to have the right documentation in ensuring that the application is successful.
Job sites to job hunt: It is possible to locate some sources of employment during farming in Canada through the Internet. The websites, where one can find jobs in farming, suggested are as follows:
Job Bank Canada: This is a government approved job site in Canada that has diverse job listing by various fields like in agriculture.
Job Bank Canada True Canada: A de facto job search engine that compiles thousands of job adverts in a single place and it is in this simple way that one can get agricultural jobs.
Indeed Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: The site belongs to the Canadian government where one will be able to find its sources and vacancies limited to the industry concerning the opportunities in agrarian environment.
Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada LinkedIn: An employment related social networking site that has job experienced farmers as well who want friends and agents to keep in connection in the agricultural sector.
LinkedIn Jobs Farm Job Finder: A dedicated site that finds farm or agriculture job anywhere in Canada.
Potato Job Finder AgCareers.com: A worldwide job posting board in the agricultural sector which also features other jobs with agricultural focus such as the entry level jobs.
AgCareers.com Simplyhired: This is once more another job search engine whereby the agricultural jobs are searched according to location, wages and type of job.
SimplyHired: By applying all the resources, you can improve your search on job and find appropriate opportunities in the world of a flourishing Canadian agriculture.
Conclusion: Farmer is another intriguing career in Canada which may be taken by the immigrants who establish a career in agriculture. The Canadian farming industry also stands a chance of support since there is a massive demand on the labour resources, and many entry-positions are obtainable. The sector is always happy to have new entrants who are interested in contributing to its development and survival. Canada is an option of an individual who intends to see a starting point in his or her life due to the access to different employment opportunities and favorable government policies.
Apart from ensuring that you have the right documents handy when processing your application, ensure that you also take advantage of the available resources in order to secure job opportunities. Through hard work and effort, a person can make a satisfying career in the agricultural sector of Canada and live in the way of life and community culture of rural Canada. Regardless of whether you are planting a seed, rearing livestock or managing the farm itself, you will add a piece to the legacy of farming in Canada to be around long after you.