职业描述：Contractors, Operators and Supervisors in Agriculture (825)

Contractors, Operators and Supervisors in Agriculture, Horticulture and Aquaculture (825)

At Work
People in this group work for farmers, agricultural services, nurseries and greenhouses, landscaping companies, cemeteries, lawn care and tree service companies, landscaping departments of governments and other organizations, private fish hatcheries and commercial aquatic farms. They may also be self-employed.
Farmers and farm managers manage the operations of farms, ranches and orchards. They grow crops, raise and breed farm animals and market farm products.
Agricultural and related service contractors and managers direct and co-ordinate services such as artificial insemination, livestock shearing, ploughing, cultivating and harvesting.
Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs for livestock. They may also supervise farm workers and labourers.
Nursery and greenhouse operators and managers direct and co-ordinate the activities of their staff who grow and market trees, shrubs, flowers and plants.
Landscaping and grounds maintenance contractors and managers direct and co-ordinate the operations of landscaping, lawn care, tree and other services.
Landscape and horticulture supervisors direct and co-ordinate the activities of associated workers.
Aquaculture operators and managers direct and co-ordinate the operations of facilities that cultivate and harvest fish, shellfish and marine plants.

Education, Training and Experience
People in this group may require some high school or a high school diploma.

They usually need a college diploma, and training and experience in agriculture, livestock husbandry, aquaculture, landscaping and horticulture.

About these Occupations
340,000 persons were employed in these occupations in 1996, an increase of 4.1% from 1986. Over the same period, employment in all occupations grew by 13.1%.

87% of these workers are farmers and farm managers.
17% of workers in these occupations work part-time, compared to an average of 19% for all occupations.
71% of workers in these occupations are self-employed, well above the average of 16% for all occupations.
28% of persons working in these occupations are women, compared to an average of 45% in all occupations. The proportion of women in these occupations has increased significantly over the last 10 years.
The unemployment rate in these occupations averaged 3.4% from 1994 to 1996, well below the average of 6.7% for all occupations. These rates are among the lowest for technical, paraprofessional and skilled occupations and for occupations in primary industry.
Average earnings of year-round, full-time workers in these occupations in 1995 were $25,700, well below the average of $35,700 for all occupations. These earnings are among the lowest for technical, paraprofessional and skilled occupations.
The separation rate in these occupations is low, indicating that workers tend not to lose or leave these jobs.
Employment in these occupations is not very sensitive to overall economic conditions but is highly seasonal.

Full-Time Earnings

1995 Full-Time Earnings*
$52,300 Highest
$25,700 Average
$4,000 Lowest

* Full-time earnings of the highest 10%, the average and the lowest 10% of workers. $35,700 is the average for all occupations.

Looking to the Year 2001
Current labour market conditions for new entrants in these occupations are fair. Labour market conditions for new entrants will remain fair through 2001.

Increasing adaptation of biotechnology and computerized systems in farming will require farm managers to learn skills in these areas.
Most of the increase in labour requirements through 2001 for these occupations will occur in the agricultural industry.