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Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists (2225)

Among the occupations currently in highest demand in All of Québec

Occupation with high worker turnover

The English text is currently unavailable. Please refer to the French text below.

Qualification and skills most often required

Un diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en réalisation d’aménagements paysagers, en arboriculture-élagage ou en horticulture et jardinerie est normalement exigé. L’attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) en spécialités en horticulture ou le diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) en paysage et commercialisation en horticulture ornementale peuvent être demandés. Le travail spécialisé en aménagement paysager exige des compétences et des connaissances en horticulture ainsi qu’en lecture de plans et devis. La connaissance de certains outils informatiques (ex. : suite Office, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, etc.) peut être exigée. Des aptitudes pour le service à la clientèle, de même qu’une expérience dans le domaine d’activité, favorisent l’accès à l’emploi.

Reason for labor demand

L’activité dans l’industrie de la construction, de la rénovation résidentielle et commerciale, la réalisation de divers travaux d’aménagement ainsi que l’activité saisonnière sur les terrains de golf favorisent la demande pour cette profession. Les conditions de travail, les horaires, la saisonnalité et les salaires sont à l’origine des difficultés de recrutement et du roulement de la main-d’œuvre dans cette profession. La période de travail s’échelonne généralement d’avril à octobre. Les entreprises procèdent souvent au recrutement de leur personnel dès le mois de janvier.

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Job titles

Nature of work

This unit group includes those who survey and assess landscapes; draw sketches and build models of landscape designs; construct and maintain gardens, parks, golf courses and other landscaped environments; advise clients on issues related to horticulture; breed, cultivate and study plants; and treat injured and diseased trees and plants. They are employed by landscape designers and contractors, lawn service and tree care establishments, golf courses, nurseries and greenhouses, and municipal, provincial and national parks, or they may be self-employed.

Fields of interest

  • Working in nature and with animals
  • Working outdoors or with the environment

Main duties

  • The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
  • - Arborists and tree service technicians examine trees and shrubs to diagnose problems and disease, and apply various treatments such as pruning, spraying, repairing damaged areas and injecting with treatment solutions.
  • - Golf course superintendents direct crews who maintain the health and appearance of golf courses and their surrounding landscapes, plant and move trees, and apply fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides.
  • - Horticulturists plan and co-ordinate the growth and use of plants for landscaping, ornamental uses and other purposes.
  • - Landscape designers and landscape architectural technicians and technologists survey and assess sites, prepare drawings, sketches and reports and perform other duties to assist landscape architects in designing landscaped environments.
  • - Landscape gardeners plant and maintain private and public lawns and gardens.
  • - Landscapers plan and construct landscaped environments which may include trees, shrubberies, lawns, fences, decks, patios and other landscape structures.
  • - Lawn care specialists visit clients, assess the health of lawns, and apply fertilizer, pesticides and other lawn care products.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of a university or college program in agronomy, arboriculture, horticulture, landscaping, landscape design or landscape technology is usually required.
  • * Experience as a landscape and grounds maintenance labourer may be required for golf course superintendents, landscape gardeners and landscapers.
  • * An apprenticeship program is available for horticulturists, arboriculturists and landscape gardeners.
  • * A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.
  • * In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body is required to use the title of Professional Technologist.

Skill type

  • Natural and applied sciences and related fields

Skill level

  • Technical

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

Professional associations

  • Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre en horticulture ornementale – commercialisation et services
  • 3230, rue Sicotte, local E - 300 ouest
  • Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
  • J2S7B3
  • Phone: 450-774-3456
  • Fax: 450-774-3556
  • Email: info@horticompetences.ca