NOC 85120: Logging and forestry labourers

Logging and forestry labourers perform a variety of manual tasks such as attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals, cleaning up landing areas and assisting other workers in woodlands operations. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.

Express Entry eligibility

• Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): no, TEER 5 does not count for Express Entry.
• Canadian Experience Class: does not count.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: does not count.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: not one of the eligible trades.
• High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): no. No high-wage add-on, and a job offer in it earns no CRS points.

TEER 5: Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

NOC 85120 is not on any of IRCC’s occupation category lists. You can still be invited in general, Canadian Experience Class or other program draws if you qualify through other experience.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 85120

None. Work in TEER 4 and 5 occupations earns no Canadian work points in the CRS.

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Assist other workers at logging sites
• Attach chokers or cables to felled trees for yarding
• Plant trees using manual tools
• Spray herbicides from the ground using manual spraying equipment
• Clear trails through woodlands using chain saws
• Clean up landing areas at logging sites.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

• chokerman/woman
• forestry labourer
• logging labourer
• seasonal tree planter
• swamper - logging and forestry

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school may be required.
• Completion of pre-employment safety courses may be required.
• Several weeks of formal and on-the-job training are provided.
• Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) certificate may be required.
• Chemicals application licence may be required.

Similar jobs with a different code

• 84110Chain saw and skidder operators
• 83110Logging machinery operators
• 84111Silviculture and forestry workers