On November 16, 2022, the names and codes for occupations in Canada will change and the SINP and IRCC will use the new National Occupation Classification system (dated 2021).
National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021.
About the National Occupational Classification
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) lists all occupations in Canada.
An occupation is a collection of jobs that are similar enough to be grouped under a common label. A job includes all the tasks done by a worker to complete their duties. NOCs are identified and grouped by the work usually performed, as well as relevant tasks, duties, employment requirements, and responsibilities.
Factors such as the materials processed or used, the industrial processes and the equipment used, the degree of responsibility and complexity of work, as well as the products made and services provides, are indicators of the work performed when combining job titles into occupations and occupations into groups.
Every ten years, the NOC system undergoes a major update with all existing occupational groups reviewed. The release of the NOC 2021 will reflect changes in the economy and in the nature of the work over the last decade.
What’s Changing
Under the new NOC 2021 system, several significant changes can be expected.
First, a brand new five-digit codification system to replace the current four-digit system:
| NOC 2011 Examples | NOC 2021 Update |
| 0113 – Purchasing managers | 10012 – Purchasing managers |
| 2132 – Mechanical engineers | 21301 – Mechanical engineers |
| 2282 – User support technicians | 22221 – User support technicians |
| 4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 6311 – Food Service Supervisors | 62020 – Food Service Supervisors |
Second, a new system for referring to skill levels will be introduced. This approach refers to the level of Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) required for an occupation. The TEERs are still based on the level of training or educational requirements but the number of levels has increased and work experience is recognized. This will replace the current NOC “Skill Level” system (e.g., NOC O, A, B, C and D).
| NOC 2011 | NOC 2021 |
| Skill Type O | Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) 0 |
| Skill Type A | TEER 1 |
| Skill Type B | TEER 2 |
| TEER 3 | |
| Skill Type C | TEER 4 |
| Skill Type D | TEER 5 |
Note that all SINP categories which refer to “high-skilled” occupations (NOC O, A, and B skill levels) will now be eligible for TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 occupations. Likewise, NOC skill level “C” will now refer to TEER 4 and NOC skill level “D” will refer to TEER 5.
Additional Information
For additional information about this change, please review the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) resources below:
- Overview of NOC 2021 Changes
- Overview of NOC 2021 Structure
- Statistics Canada NOC 2021 Background
- NOC 2021 Conversion Tables
Sources: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/api/v1/products/118934/formats/136789/download
