Canada

Work in Canada

The exchange program to Canada provides opportunities in the rural industries.

Our service to you

TEP Pty Ltd has worked in conjunction with International Rural Exchange (IRE) Canada since 2001 offering a rural exchange program to Canada. The exchange program uses a Canadian work permit. Our services include:

• Initial advice and direction
• Processing and planning
• Assistance with visa process
• Coordination of flights
• Coordination of insurance
• Back up service

Eligibility:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 28
• In good mental and physical health
• Free from criminal record
• Be single with no dependants
• Mature, flexible, open minded, committed and willing to make adjustments (weather, culture, food, temperature etc.)

Requirements:

• Have at least one year’s practical experience in your placement choice
• Have machinery experience – even those interested in an Agri-home placement
• Have a valid drivers license and an international drivers license
• Expect to work long hours (depending on the season). Farming can be labour intensive
• Must be willing to take out the necessary medical insurance to cover the program stay in Canada
• Must have a return ticket
• Must stay with the appointed horse throughout the entire training period – placement changes will be make only if problems can not be resolved
• Harvest intake – must have above average capability in operating the machinery

Placement opportunities:

The exchange program to Canada offers the following placement types.

Agriculture: 
    Beef 
    Dairy (Limited placements) 
    Pigs (Limited placements) 
    Field crops and machinery 
    Mixed farming (crops and beef) 
    Organic crop farm 
    Chickens (Limited placements)

Agri-home: 
    Mix of farm and domestic work

Horticulture: 
    Vegetable greenhouse (Limited placements)

Equine: 
    Ranch (Limited placements)

Farming seasons in Canada:

The following is an outline of Canada’s farm seasons and may be of help to you with planning your program.

January to March – Cold winter months. Most cattle farmers are calving at some point during this time. Grain farmers are hauling grain to the local elevators.
April - Farmers are getting the machinery ready for the upcoming seeding season. If it was a gry winter, seeding could start as early as mid-April.
May – Working the land and seeding. Fencing and working with the cattle
June – Spraying the crops. Cattle are headed to pasture.
July – Cattle are in pasture. Generally quieter on the farms. Most program applicants take their holiday time in July
August to September – Harvest season. Usually finished by late September
October to November – Cultivating, harrowing, and general clean-up. Field work continues until the ground freezes. Cattle come in to the barns from the pasture.
December – Snow usually falls by the end of October or early November. Things are again quieter on the farms.

Placement availability:

While most placements are located in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan regions, a few placements are located in Alberta.

Programs are available as follows:

3 month program – this is designed to take in the Canadian harvest season which spans from August 1st to November

7 month program – April 1st is the target arrival date with a flexible departure date which depends on the applicants requirements. This is designed to take in both the seeding and harvest.

12 month program – April 1st is the target arrival date however, a 12 month placement may be able to be arranged with an August 1st arrival date. Please note that these placements are very limited.

For more information on our exchange programs to Canada please contact us