What is National Occupation Classification (NOC)?
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system used in Canada to classify and categorize different occupations in the country’s labor market. It is a standardized reference tool that provides a consistent framework for understanding and organizing occupational information.
The main purpose of the NOC is to facilitate the collection, analysis, and dissemination of occupational data for various purposes, including labor market research, workforce planning, career information, and immigration programs. It helps to provide a common language for describing job duties, skills, and qualifications across different industries and sectors.
The NOC system is structured into four levels of hierarchical categories:
- Skill Type: The broadest category, consisting of nine skill types, each representing a group of occupations that require similar skills and abilities.
- Skill Level: Within each skill type, there are skill levels that represent different levels of complexity and qualifications required for the occupations.
- Major Group: The NOC is further divided into 40 major groups that group together occupations with similar characteristics.
- Minor Group and Unit Group: These are the most specific levels, grouping together similar occupations that share closely related tasks and duties.
Each occupation in the NOC is assigned a unique four-digit code, with additional digits used for further specification within unit groups.
The NOC is maintained and updated by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in collaboration with Statistics Canada. It plays a crucial role in various labor market programs, including immigration programs like the Express Entry system, where applicants are assessed based on their skill level and work experience using the NOC codes.
National Occupation Classification (NOC):
use the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to identify and categorize jobs (occupations) based on the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) they require.
TEER categories and examples of jobs
| TEER | Occupation types | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management occupations | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers Financial managers |
| TEER 1 | Occupations that usually require a university degree | Financial advisors Software engineers |
| TEER 2 | Occupations that usually require
| Computer network and web technicians Medical laboratory technologists |
| TEER 3 | Occupations that usually require
| Bakers Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| TEER 4 | Occupations that usually require
| Home child care providers Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers |
| TEER 5 | Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers Delivery service drivers and door-to-door distributors |
What is noc skill level matrix?
The NOC Skill Level identifies the occupations by the amount and type of education and training that is generally required. There are four Skill Levels in the NOC matrix:
Skill Level A: Occupations that usually require university education. The nature of education/training includes:
- University degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate level.
Skill Level B: Occupations that usually require college education or apprenticeship training. The nature of education/training include:
- Two to three years of post-secondary education at a community college, institute of technology, or CEGEP or
- Two to five years of apprenticeship training or
- Three to four years of secondary school and more than two years of on-the-job training, specialized training courses, or specific work experience.
- Occupations with supervisory responsibilities and occupations with significant health and safety responsibilities, such as firefighters, police officers, and registered nursing assistants are all assigned skill level B.
Skill Level C: Occupations that usually require secondary school and/or occupation-specific training. The nature of education/training include:
- Some secondary school education, with up to two years of on-the-job training, training courses, or specific work experience
Skill Level D: Occupations that usually require on-the-job training. The nature of education/training include:
- Short work demonstration or on-the-job training or
- No formal educational requirements.
Each of these Skill Levels is usually represented by the second digit in NOC codes:
A – 0 or 1 B – 2 or 3 C – 4 or 5 D – 6 or 7
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