Nursery and greenhouse labourers

Completion of secondary school may be required to work in these occupations. On-the-job training is typically provided and is the most common form of training for this occupation.

Other requirements may include:

• Completion of college courses in horticulture or a related field
• A provincial Pest Applicators Certificate for employees who apply chemical fertilizers and pesticides

WorkSafeBC and the British Columbia Landscape and Nursery Association have developed a safety and training manual that is used to educate retail greenhouse and nursery workers about workplace hazards and safe working practices.

Workers may also expand their knowledge base and improve their skills through:

• One- to five-day training sessions and educational seminars offered through HortEducationBC, the industry training authority for the horticultural sector in B.C.
• Educational materials and testing for longer term programs from HortEducationBC, such as the horticulture journey person program and several other professional designations

These programs are not mandatory for individuals working in this occupational group, however, they may assist in career path development.

First aid and Pest Applicator certification are not necessary in order to work in this occupation, but can help workers in this field. Previous experience operating machinery is also beneficial.

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Employment opportunities will arise primarily due to new job growth.

In recent years, B.C. greenhouse vegetable growers have faced various difficulties. Increased international competition, a high Canadian dollar, increasing energy prices, the inability of growers to obtain outside investment, and the wide availability of greenhouse grown vegetables have lead to decreased profit margins for growers. These trends will continue to have a negative effect on work opportunities for greenhouse workers in the province

In addition, improvements in greenhouse and nursery technology have led to increased automation/mechanization. Fewer unskilled workers are now needed for manual labour tasks, but more skilled workers are needed to operate equipment.

In recent years, increasing housing and commercial construction in B.C. had a positive effect on the nursery and greenhouse sector, thereby providing new work opportunities. A high level of construction activity fuelled growth in the landscaping industry, which led to increased demand for nursery and greenhouse grown plants. This trend had a positive effect on work in retail and wholesale nurseries and in greenhouses.

Many greenhouse and nursery workers left the occupation to work in other industries which offer year round employment. This was a major contributing factor to the shortage of these workers during peak seasons, particularly in rural regions. As a result, many employers hired foreign workers who came to Canada through the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, which was put in place to help with shortages of unskilled labour during harvesting seasons. As a result, foreign workers accounted for a large share of nursery and greenhouse workers in B.C.

Work demand will continue to be highest in the Fraser Valley in particular, where most greenhouse and nursery operations in the province are located.

Job opportunities will be highest for experienced workers and for those who have completed horticulture related courses and training programs. Increased use of Integrated Pest Management practices will raise the demand for workers with Pest Applicator Certification.

Employment opportunities are abundant in harvesting seasons, however, full-time work throughout the year is difficult to secure without further education or extensive experience.