1. Canada is making major changes to its NOC occupational classification system in the fall of 2022

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a major part of Canada's immigration system. Skilled worker candidates and temporary foreign workers need to demonstrate that their work experience corresponds to the NOC requirements of the program for which they are applying.

Every 10 years, the federal government conducts a major revision of the NOC. The changes to the NOC reflect changes to the Canadian economy and the labor market. 

2. Announcement of the new NOC system

This past September, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced the new 2021 NOC system. This is the result of a major process that includes extensive research, analysis and assessment of the Canadian economy.

The Department of Immigration intends to apply this new classification system after fall 2022 to replace the current NOC 2016 in use. The federal government wants to give all stakeholders, including immigrant applicants, more time to learn how the 2021 NOC affects their applications.

The ESDC summarizes the changes to the 2021 NOC as follows: The NOC's current "skill level" four-category structure (0, A, B, C) has been adjusted and replaced with a six-category system new (TEER) stating the level of Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities to enter each occupation:

• TEER 0: Management professions

• TEER 1: Completion of an undergraduate degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate); or

Years of experience in a specific occupation from a Category 2 TEER (if applicable)

• TEER 2: Completion of a two- to three-year post-secondary education at a community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; or

Completion of a two- to five-year apprenticeship training program; or

Professions with substantial supervisory or safety responsibilities (police and firemen); or

Years of experience in a specific occupation from a Category 3 TEER (if applicable)

• TEER 3

Completion of a post-secondary education of less than two years at a community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; or

Apprenticeship training for less than 2 years; or

More than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school qualifications; or

Years of experience in a specific occupation from a Category 4 TEER (if applicable).

• TEER 4

Completion of a junior high school program; or

Several weeks of on-the-job training with some middle school education; or

Years of experience in a specific occupation from a Category 5 TEER (if applicable)

• TEER 5

Do short work and have no formal education requirements

For many immigration and foreign worker applicants, NOC 2021 will have little or no impact on them. This is because despite the changes to the NOC, their work experience will continue to meet the eligibility criteria for their desired foreign worker or immigration program. Currently, stakeholders are still waiting for IRCC and ESDC to provide more specific information about this new system.

Please contact iCanfield for a free consultation on  Canada's skilled immigration categories  .

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