The latest information on the National Occupational Classification (NOC)

Are you looking for a job in Canada or an immigrant seeking to prove your work experience? Whoever you are, understanding the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system is a crucial step you shouldn’t skip. In this article, Phan Immigration will introduce the latest updates on Canada’s NOC 2021 to give you a more comprehensive understanding of the system.

What Is the National Occupational Classification (NOC)?

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system used in Canada to describe and categorize all types of jobs available in the country’s labor market.

The main purposes of the NOC system are to:

• Provide a standardized framework for classifying occupations in Canada.
• Help employers accurately describe job positions and occupations.
• Serve as a statistical tool for analyzing Canada’s labor market.
• Act as a key criterion for evaluating work permit and immigration applications.

The NOC classification is divided into 5 levels:

• Level 1: 10 broad occupational categories
• Level 2: 45 major groups
• Level 3: 89 sub-major groups
• Level 4: 162 minor groups
• Level 5: 516 unit groups

Each job is assigned a five-digit NOC code. Each digit represents a different attribute, describing key job duties, required skills, and education levels.

Example: NOC Code 62020 – Food Service Supervisors

• The first digit “6” indicates the broad occupational category: Sales and Service.
• The second digit “2” indicates the TEER level 2, meaning the candidate must have completed a college diploma or apprenticeship program of at least two years, or have supervisory or specialized experience.
• The last three digits “020”, combined with the first two, identify the specific unit group: Food Service Supervisors.

The 6 TEER Levels in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC)

The 2021 version of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) introduces six skill levels based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER), as follows:

How to Find Your Job Title, NOC Code, and TEER Level
To find the most accurate NOC 2021 information for your occupation, follow these steps:

1. Visit the NOC search table.
2. In the “Filter items” field, enter your job title. The table will update automatically and show relevant entries.

You can note:

• The NOC code in the middle column (e.g., 21300)
• The official job title in the right column (e.g., Civil engineers)
• The TEER category in the left column (e.g., 1)

Alternatively, go to the official NOC website, select Version 1.0 of NOC 2021, and search by job title or NOC code.

Be sure to carefully read the listed main job duties and compare them with your past work experience. If the duties do not align, look for another job title whose responsibilities better match your background.

List of Occupation Categories under the NOC System

The occupations classified under Canada’s 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system include:

Four Steps to Accurately Identify Your NOC Code

To determine the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for your job, follow these four steps:

• Step 1: Identify the Relevant Broad Occupational Category

Start by determining which of the 10 broad occupational categories your current or intended job belongs to. Example: If you’re a civil engineer, the relevant category is NOC code 2: “Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations.”

• Step 2: Identify the Major Occupation Group 

Within each broad category, there are major occupation groups. Review these to find the one that best matches your role. Continuing the example above, the corresponding major group is NOC code 21: “Professional Occupations in Natural and Applied Sciences.”

• Step 3: Identify the Sub-Major and Minor Groups

Each major group is further divided into sub-major and minor groups. Identify the group that aligns most closely with your job duties. In this case, your role would fall under sub-group 213: “Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineers.”

• Step 4: Determine the Specific Unit Group NOC Code

Based on the previous steps, you can now determine your specific NOC code.
For a civil engineer, the code is 21300: “Civil Engineers.” Additionally, you can search for your NOC code on the official Government of Canada website using criteria such as job title, skills, education level, or job description.

Benefits of Accurately Identifying Your NOC Code

Determining your occupation code under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 brings several practical benefits:

• Ensures you receive accurate CRS points for your work experience when applying through Express Entry immigration programs.
• Confirms that the occupation listed in your profile aligns with eligible immigration programs and that you meet the qualifications.
• Helps immigration officers quickly and clearly understand your work experience, education, and qualifications through the standardized NOC job descriptions.
• Makes it easier to prove that your skills and experience match the registered occupation.
• Improves your chances of finding employment in Canada after settling.

These are the key insights about the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system that Phan Immigration would like to share with you. Overall, the NOC is a comprehensive system that plays a vital role in Canada’s labor market and provides practical benefits for the government, employers, and workers alike. Understanding and effectively using the NOC system can greatly support your success in finding employment or immigrating to Canada.