Orchard Worker (Pruning and Thinning) – Permanent

You'll pick, prune and look after crops on a commercial seedling nursery near East London through the season. People who do well here are steady, honest and not scared to ask when something is unclear.

You'll report in East London. Relocation is not covered for this one. Most weeks are 45 hours, in line with the BCEA.

• Fill crates or bins and carry them to the collection point
• Weed beds by hand or with a hoe
• Move irrigation pipes and check drippers for blockages
• Prune and thin fruit trees and vines to the farm's method
• Clean and store picking bags, ladders and secateurs
• Follow the re-entry times after spraying, as the signs show
• Plant seedlings in rows at the spacing shown

• Careful with fruit, since bruised fruit is rejected
• Willing to start at sunrise
• Able to work outdoors in heat, cold and rain
• Physically fit for bending, lifting and climbing ladders
• Available for the full harvest season
• Valid ID or work permit

• Previous harvest or picking experience
• Pruning experience on vines or fruit trees

• Piece-rate bonus on top of daily wage
• Farm transport from nearby towns
• Seasonal accommodation on some farms

• Have your bank details ready. Most farms pay into a bank account and will not start you without it.
• Farms hire before the season starts, so apply four to six weeks early. Late arrivals often find the teams already full.