8 Skills That Help You Earn More in an H-2A Job
Not all H-2A jobs require the same skills and experience. Many times, American farm employers need more than basic farm laborers to fill their jobs. That makes it critical for you to show employers you have the skills they need rather than just telling them or making claims.
Without a doubt, advancements in farm machinery, crop technology, and ag equipment have made certain farm skills more valuable than others. To help you understand where to focus your energy, today’s blog breaks down the skills that can help you earn more in an H-2A job.
1. Equipment operation
One of the top ag skills you can acquire to earn more in an H-2A job is operating farm equipment such as:
Tractors
Trucks and semi-trucks
Combine harvesters
Tractor attachments and implements (i.e., sprayers, balers, planters)
Field mapping and GPS
Irrigation systems
Skid steers
Excavators and farm construction equipment
One of the most common types of H-2A jobs for South Africans is Ag Equipment Operators. Being able to operate equipment safely and efficiently makes you more valuable for an H-2A job. Equipment operators should understand how to operate some or all of these pieces of equipment, not just how to drive tractors or trucks. Employers want to see that you can attach implements such as sprayers or planters, and operate equipment using best safety practices.
2. Truck driving
Many American farm employers need dedicated truck drivers for certain times of the season, mostly during harvest. Depending on the job description, some truck drivers can make higher wages in their H-2A farm job. Skilled drivers should have experience with a variety of trucks, including:
Semi-trucks
Pickup trucks (bakkies)
Dump trucks
Grain trucks
Driving the trucks is one thing, but employers will also want you to be able to:
Perform pre- and post-trip inspections
Understand and perform routine maintenance
Display defensive driving techniques
Understand truck safety and best safety practices
Understand backing and coupling/de-coupling trailers
Drive while towing or hauling equipment
Haul grain or crops
Drive and operate trucks on various terrains (gravel, grass, pavement)
Read more about farm truck driving skills that get you hired
3. Mechanical and machinery repair skills
Employers value H-2A employees who can recognize and identify problems before they become costly breakdowns. Mechanics are essential to keep the agriculture industry in America moving and on schedule by performing tasks such as:
Routine maintenance (oil changes, fluid changes, changing tires)
Hydraulic system maintenance and checks
Changing and checking belts and hoses
Greasing equipment
Identifying and repairing leaks
Performing daily equipment inspections
Some farmers need seasonal ag mechanics during their non-growing, or off-season, to help maintain and repair machinery for the next season. Highly skilled H-2A jobs like mechanics earn more as dictated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Read more about different types of farm jobs in America
4. GPS, technology, and precision agriculture
Having an understanding of various farm technologies and how to use them will ultimately lead to more opportunities and higher pay. Agriculture is becoming increasingly tech-driven. As a result, the following skills are coveted by American farm employers:
GPS guidance systems
Auto-steer
Precision planting
Field mapping
Digital equipment displays
Troubleshooting systems
5. Crop health and agronomy
The ability to identify and recognize problems with crop health can help you earn more in an H-2A job. Agronomy is a division of agricultural science that involves crop production and soil health. Very rarely will an H-2A job opening advertise a need solely for agronomists. However, knowing how to grow crops and manage soil will make you more valuable and might lead to higher pay or better H-2A job opportunities. Agronomy mainly focuses on:
Soil health and management
Crop production and maximizing yields
Combining biology, chemistry, ecology, and genetics to maximize crop yields
Again, you don’t need to be a scientist in your H-2A job, but anyone with knowledge of growing and maximizing crops will stand out to employers.
6. Livestock handling
More and more American farmers are incorporating livestock into their farm businesses. Raising livestock, especially beef cattle, along with crops is proving to be a little more lucrative than strictly growing crops. The spread of incorporating livestock is increasing demand for skilled, knowledgeable livestock workers. Some of the livestock skills that can help you earn more in an H-2A job include:
Cattle handling
Calving and calf care
Administering vaccines and medicines
Transporting and hauling livestock
Monitoring herd health and identifying issues
Developing a diverse skill set working with livestock will make you even more valuable to employers. Remember, H-2A job opportunities aren’t limited to one type of farm work.
7. Safety
Yes, safety is a skill. American farm employers are extremely focused on safety because accidents, breakdowns, and injuries are costly. Farmers using the H-2A Program are also required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance policies, and, if you get hurt on the job, your employer has to file a Workers’ Compensation claim. Workers’ Compensation insurance is expensive without any claims. Couple downtime or lost productivity with high insurance premiums, and it’s easy to see why American employers value safety over many other skills. Safety skills include:
Defensive driving
Equipment safety
Knowing when and how to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
Safe lifting and carrying of heavy items or materials
Awareness when working around livestock
Awareness when working around kids or pets like farm dogs
8. Communication and leadership
American farm employers value more than technical skills from their H-2A workers. Soft skills such as communicating, leadership, problem solving, and creative thinking are all valuable skills that can help you earn more with some employers. Here’s what communication and leadership skills look like in an H-2A farm environment:
Following instructions
Asking questions when instructions or directions are unclear
Setting the example with work ethic
The ability to lead small teams or crews
Taking ownership and responsibility for tasks, equipment, or vehicles
Working independently without constant supervision
Communicating openly and honestly when something goes wrong
Come to USA Truck Labor for training and take your H-2A job skills to the next level
Competition for H-2A jobs is tough. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a skill set that employers value. USA Truck Labor recognizes this shift from employers settling for anyone willing to work to only hiring skilled, qualified workers for their H-2A jobs. Our training program is designed to give you a head start on the competition and teach you the skills American employers need from their H-2A workers.
USA Truck Labor offers 2-day and 4-day training sessions designed to fit your needs, complete with accommodations and a certificate of completion. From there, our partnership with USA Farm Labor puts our candidates in the best position to succeed with their job search.
