Most farm labourers work around machinery and equipment and sometimes around harmful chemicals, fumes, odours, loud noises, or dangerous machinery. Safety clothing, hard hats, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots may be required. You may have to supply your own equipment and vehicle. Entry-level positions and summer jobs are widely available. The primary production labourer is an entry-level job.
Physical fitness is necessary.
A secondary school education is usually preferred and often some farm-related experience is required. Mechanical skills are valuable and related training is a strong asset. The number of landscape and ground maintenance labourers doubled between 1991 and 1996 in the Cowichan Region. Employment levels are projected to show small but steady growth through 2005. Despite new technology, agricultural work will always be labour intensive.