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Fruit and vegetable pickers select and harvest fruits, vegetables and nuts according to the method appropriate for the type of fruit, vegetable or nut.
The duties of a fruit and vegetable picker include, but are not limited to:
- Identifying, picking, and sorting fruits according to size, type, and ripeness.
- Checking fruits of different sizes and types and removing rotting and over-ripened fruits.
- Measuring and packing high quality fruits and vegetables into boxes and loading those boxes in trucks.
- Receiving, counting, labeling and storing inventory of items, as required.
- Operating and maintaining various equipments for harvesting fruits and vegetables and other related tasks.
- Cleaning and tidying job site and maintaining a safe workplace.
Working conditions
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Fruit and vegetable pickers usually do their tasks outdoors in all kinds of weather. Their job is physically demanding: to harvest fruits and vegetables by hand, they frequently need to bend and crouch. They aso lift and carry crops and tools that may be heavy.
Fruit and vegetable pickers may work full time or part time, on a set schedule. They may work early mornings, weekends, and holidays. Many workers have seasonal schedules. Seasonal schedules typically include longer periods of work during planting or harvesting
Agricultural work may be dangerous. Although fruit and vegetable pickers may be exposed to pesticides applied on crops or plants, the risk is minimized if workers follow safety procedures. Tractors and other farm machinery may cause serious injuries, so workers must stay alert.
Other titles
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The following job titles also refer to fruit and vegetable picker:
fruit picker
fruit and vegetable harvester
fruit & vegetable picker
berry picker
vegetable picker
fruit and veg harvester
farm hands
fruit and veg picker
crop harvester
crop picker
fruit and vegetable pickers
Minimum qualifications
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No formal educational credential is required to work as fruit and vegetable picker. An excellent physical condition is necessary for this position.
ISCO skill level
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ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Fruit and vegetable picker is a Skill level 1 occupation.
Fruit and vegetable picker career path
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Similar occupations
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These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to fruit and vegetable picker.
crop production worker
advertising installer
leaflet distributor
hand packer
handyman
Long term prospects
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These occupations require some skills and knowledge of fruit and vegetable picker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of fruit and vegetable picker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
fishing net maker
fruit production team leader
agronomic crop production team leader
hop farmer
crop production manager
Essential skills and competences
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These skills are necessary for the role of fruit and vegetable picker.
- Apply health and safety when picking: Take the necessary health and safety precautions when picking: posture your body well, safely operate tools and machinery, and wear the right clothes and protection for the climate.
- Work in outdoor conditions: Can cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.
- Harvest crop: Mow, pick or cut agricultural products manually or using appropriate tools and machinery. Taking into account the relevant quality criteria of products, hygiene prescriptions and using the appropriate methods.
- Carry picking work aids: Carry work equipment, such as ladders, small containers or canvas drop cloths.
- Store crops: Store and preserve crops in accordance with standards and regulations to ensure their quality. Ensure that storage facilities are kept according to hyginic standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.
- Select fruits and vegetables: Select fruit and vegetables for picking according to size, colour and ripeness.
- Store products: Keep products in a safe place in order to maintain their quality. Ensure the stock facilities meet hygiene standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.
Optional skills and competences
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These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of fruit and vegetable picker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Maintain storage facilities: Maintain or ensure the maintenance of cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning of storage facilities and the temperature of premises.
- Load picked fruits and vegetables: Load picked fruit and vegetables into a container of the appropriate size, taking care to avoid damage.
- Drive agricultural machines: Drive tractors, forklifts and other vehicles to transport crops. Move equipment in fields and around buildings, making the appropriate adjustments and maneuvers.
- Pack vegetables or fruits: Sort and pack vegetables or fruits considering specific methods for the different products.
- Measure fruits or vegetables: Measure fruits or vegetables, using gauges or weight.
- Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
ISCO group and title
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9211 – Crop farm labourers
References