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The National Occupation Classification also known as the NOC is a system used by the Government of Canada that classifies occupations (jobs). The National Occupation Classification pretty much describes the type of work performed by Canadians in the labour market. These occupations are grouped based on work the performed which are determined by the task, duties and responsibility within the occupation. This information gives employers, job seekers, statisticians, labour market analysts, career counselors to collect information to better understand the nature of work and what type of experience is needed to apply for a program. The NOC tool has a four digit code that helps you classify the occupation based on skill type and skill level. These NOC digits give you important information about the occupation it represents. For example, 3113 Dentist- the “31” tells you that this is a health occupation and it requires university level education.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) has been updated to help employers and job seekers find the proper NOC without spending too much time and then ending up selecting the incorrect NOC. The NOC 2016 has enlisted new job titles and has simplified the content of the unit groups. Some unit groups have their descriptions and job titles updated, terminology has made changed to reflect the current usage of terminology in occupations. The structure of the NOC remains the same, meaning no major groups or minor have been added or removed or combined. You may find in some groups that their names of been changed or the content is updated. NOC 2016 is based on Skill Type and Skill Level just like NOC 2011.
Removed redundant job title
New job titles have been added such as geodesist, crime scene examiner etc
Some job titles have been modified to help users find particular occupations. For example, power plant stationary engineer appeared in earlier versions of the NOC; operating engineer - power plant has been added.
Navigation has been made easier
NOC major and minor group definitions added
Some groups have new names or updated content (the structure remains the same as NOC 2011 remains the same)
Few job titles have been switched to different unit groups. For example Admission Director – Health Care has been moved from Managers in Health Care (0311) to Other Administrative Services Managers (0114).
Updates to definitions of some unit groups to keep up with changes in terminology usage
Some job titles have been moved to improve content description of some unit groups. For example, the titles 'tax collector' and 'collector of taxes' were being coded in Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers (1228) rather than in Collectors (1435).
Before job titles appeared in natural order (e.g travel agent) and inverted order (e.g agent, travel). Inverted titles used a comma as a separator which made it easier to find titles in a paper publication. This caused many duplicates and therefore about 4000 titles were removed from NOC 2016
Minor group definitions are more detailed than most Major group definitions
National Occupation Classification are not updated frequently, you can see a change pretty much
To determine the National Occupation Classification we have to look at the type of work that is being performed. To determine the type of work performed we need to look at the tasks, duties and responsibilities within that occupation. Indicators as to what type of job is performed you can look at factors such as what type of equipment is used, how complex is the work, degree of responsibility, services provided etc.
For example, if you like to apply as a skilled worker, the first step is finding which NOC’s are considered skilled (e.g NOC Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B)
For immigration purposes the job information is broken down into number of groups to help you identify your correct NOC.
Skill Type 0 (zero): includes management jobs such as restaurant managers, mine managers, shore captains (fishing).
Skill Level A: includes professional job which usually require you to have degree from a university. These types of jobs include dentists, architects, doctors etc.
Skill Level B: includes technical jobs and skilled trades such as chefs, electricians, plumbers etc. Under this skill level you usually need a college diploma or train as an apprentice to do these jobs. Some examples include chefs, electricians, and plumbers
Skill Level C: Includes intermediate jobs such as butchers, trucker drivers, food and beverage servers. An intermediate job usually requires you to have a high school or job specific training or both.
Skill Level D: includes labour jobs such as cleaning staff, fruit pickers, oil field workers etc. With labour jobs on-the-job training is usually given.
If you are Skill Type 0 or Level A or B you can use the Express Entry as a Skilled Immigrant to immigrate to Canada. So if you want to be considered as Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or under Canadian Experience Class you can do so by applying through the Express Entry Route.
If your job is skill level C or D, you may be able to come to Canada as a Provincial Nominee, as long as it is not in a program for skilled workers, or you may be able to work here for up to two years. If you are coming to Canada for work on temporary basis you are not considered a permanent resident but you may be eligible to immigrate for permanent basis.
People who come to work on a temporary basis are not permanent residents. However, some go on to immigrate here on a permanent basis.
If are unsure what National Occupational Code (NOC) contact Akrami & Associates to help you determine your NOC. The NOC play an important role in getting your application approved or refused. If you happen to select an incorrect NOC
