Nursery and Greenhouse Workers (NOC 8432)

Description

Nursery and greenhouse workers plant, cultivate and harvest trees, shrubs, flowers and plants, and serve nursery and greenhouse customers. They are employed in indoor and outdoor nurseries and greenhouses.

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Example Titles

forest nursery worker
greenhouse worker
hothouse worker
hydroponics worker
nursery worker

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Classified Elsewhere

General Farm Workers (8431)
Harvesting Labourers (8611)
Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers (8612)
Nursery and Greenhouse Operators and Managers (8254)
Silviculture and Forestry Workers (8422)
Supervisors, Landscape and Horticulture (8256)

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Duties

Nursery and greenhouse workers perform some or all of the following duties:

Prepare soil; plant bulbs, seeds and cuttings; graft and bud plants; and transplant seedlings and rooted cuttings
Spray trees, shrubs, flowers and plants to prevent disease and pests
Position and regulate greenhouse and outdoor irrigation systems to water plants and fields
Dig, cut and transplant trees, shrubs, flowers and plants and prepare them for sale
Provide information to customers on gardening and the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants and lawns
May operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest and spray fields and plants
Maintain inventory and order materials as required
Clean working area.

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Skills

Nursery and greenhouse workers need the following skills and abilities:

an interest in plants of different kinds and the environment in which they thrive,
good observation skills to detect disease and pests,
ability to follow safe procedures for use of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides,
some background in science and basic mathematical skills,
basic reading, writing and computer skills,
enjoy being outside,
moderate physical strength and stamina,
responsible attitude to work with little supervision,
be able to get along with customers at the workplace or in other locations.
A drivers' licence may be required.

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Employment Requirements

On-the-job training is provided. Employers may ask for high school completion. Some may ask for completion of a college or university course in horticulture or landscaping technology or related field.

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Terms & Conditions

Conditions in the greenhouse may be hot and humid in the summer. Outdoor work may also be required. Greenhouse workers usually work a 35 to 40 hour week but may have to work extra hours during certain seasons, in preparation for certain days or holidays like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter, and in the event of bad weather. There is a great deal of bending and lifting in greenhouse work.

The majority work full time (60%). This is a seasonal occupation, with only 21% of the workforce working for the full year. A minority (16%) are self employed.

As employment in this occupation is primarily seasonal, the annual earnings reported below represent the total prevailing wages, salaries, and/or net income for the actual period of time worked in this occupation during the year.

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Earnings

$18,800 per annum - starting

$23,300 per annum - average

$27,100 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

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Education / Training

Red River College offers a 30-month diploma program in Greenspace Management. Students interested in further studies towards an Applied degree at Olds College (Alberta), may contact Olds College about the transfer of credits. The Greenspace Management curriculum will place students in good positions to successfully complete certification testing offered through the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Trades Association (CNLA) in landscape installation, maintenance or retail garden centre sales.
Assiniboine Community College offers a certificate program in Prairie Horticulture and Pesticide Certification through the Continuing Education Division.
The University of Manitoba offers a certificate program in Prairie Horticulture.
Some courses from the Prairie Horticulture certificate programs will also be recognized for advanced credit at Olds College.
All Manitoba universities also offer courses in horticulture or botany as part of their science programs.
Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Landscaping and Gardening.

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Career Paths

Nursery and greenhouse workers often begin their careers in summer or part-time jobs.

Related jobs are arborist, landscaping/grounds maintenance, landscape technician.

Progression to supervisory positions and administration is possible with experience and training.

Experienced workers may start their own nursery or greenhouse.

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Outlook

Employment prospects for nursery and greenhouse workers in the 2010 - 2014 period are expected to be good during the busy spring and summer periods. Employment in Manitoba is estimated at 610 in 2010.

Nursery and green house operations are influenced by economic factors. The construction of new homes and businesses influences employment in this occupation, and the level of residential and commercial construction is expected to remain fairly steady through the forecast period.

Most commercial greenhouse operations in Manitoba operate seasonally, from February or March to September, although there are some heated greenhouses that are capable of operating year round. Most Manitoba greenhouses produce flowers; cut flowers, potted flowers or bedding plants. Others produce vegetables or herbs.

A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in rural Manitoba. The majority of nursery and greenhouse workers (82%) work in the Farms sector.

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