1. What is a Canadian NOC?

NOC (short for National Occupational Classification) is Canada's national occupational classification system. Jobs on the Canadian NOC code list are identified by a 5-digit code, each number representing a different characteristic, describing the type of industry, education and skills required.

The NOC number comes with the respective jobs and skill requirements

IRCC often relies on NOC codes to identify staffing shortages in the Canadian labor market. From there, better manage programs related to economic permanent residents, temporary worker programs. As well as setting out the most reasonable recruitment policies for domestic and foreign workers.

In addition, the Canadian NOC code also supports employers as well as is useful for candidates of Canada's skilled immigration program with information such as:

• Job description

• Education requirements

• Necessary skills

• Related occupation

NOCs are updated every five years by Employment and Social Development Canada and Statistics Canada, to ensure a timely reflection of changes in the Canadian labor market. 

2. Skill types of NOC

Occupations in the Canadian NOC code are divided into 10 different skill categories, numbered according to their respective numbers. Specifically: 

NOC      Code Description

0            Management career

1            Business, finance and administration professions

2            Natural and applied sciences and related professions

3            Health professions

4            Careers in education, law and social, community and government services

5            Arts, culture, entertainment and sports professions

6            Sales and Service Profession

7            Trading, transporting and operating equipment and related professions

8            Natural resources, agriculture and related manufacturing industries

9            Manufacturing and utility occupations

In the NOC code, the first number represents the skill set in the occupation the candidate is looking for.

3. 5 skill levels in NOC Canada code

In the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC Canada), the government replaced the job classification based on skill level with the job classification based on the TEER system: Training - Education - Experience - Responsibilities.

TEER will include 6 categories and include 516 occupations instead of 4 NOC categories in the current version.

TEER 0

• Experience in a management position

TEER 1

• Completion of a University program (Bachelor or above); or Many years of experience in the field of TEER 2 (if any)

TEER 2    

• Completion of a Post-Secondary (College) program with a course duration of 2-3 years; or

• Completion of a vocational training program with a duration of 2-5 years; or

• Having experience in the field of supervision, ensuring safety and security such as police, firemen; or

• Have many years of experience in the field of TEER 3 (if any)

TEER 3    

• Completion of a Post-Secondary (Intermediate) program with a course duration of less than 2 years; or

• Completion of a vocational training program with a duration of less than 2 years; or

• Completion of an apprenticeship or experience in a specific occupation with a High School degree of 6 months or more; or

• >Have many years of experience in the field of TEER 4 (if any)

TEER 4    

• Completion of High School Program; or

• Apprenticeship training for a few weeks

• Have many years of experience in the field of TEER 5 (if any)

TEER 5    

• Short-term experience and no degree required

Statistics Canada argues that the change to the TEER classification system will provide:

• Classify high/low level occupations more accurately;

• There is a greater focus on the education and experience required to work in a certain profession.

The second number in the NOC code will tell you what level group the job will be in.

4. How to search for job descriptions based on NOC Canada occupation classification

Candidates will first search for career-related keywords on the Canadian government website . For example, if you work in banking, you will enter “Banking” in the search field.

Scan for the job's NOC and look through the requirements, making sure it's similar to your work experience. If not, keep looking for other job titles, along with NOC codes and associated skill types.

Candidates need to prepare with some relevant documents to prove that the job you choose is correct with the Canadian NOC code, most importantly the job recommendation letter in the application. Note that the job recommendation letter to initially immigrate to Canada will be different from the one you use to find a job later.

Reading through, it seems that finding the NOC code will be quite simple, but in fact choosing the correct NOC code with your work experience, as well as the registration process and how to apply for a Canadian visa, ... is not is a simple matter. With support and advice from reputable immigration companies like iCanfield will help you solve these difficulties.