The departments of Immigration, Refuges and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have created some changes in National occupational Classification (NOC) from January 2022.
The NOC code Canada basically lists jobs and occupations that are in-demand and have shortage of manpower in local industries and labour markets in different Canadian provinces and territories. The NOC classifies occupations according to different skill types and requirements for different jobs in various industries. Through the immigration process, only those foreign skilled workers, trained youth, experienced professionals and immigrants are allowed to work and stay in Canada who meet all eligibility criteria, including age, education, skill training, language ability, previous relevant work experience required as per NOC list.
Under the 2021 NOC codes, eligible applicants will be selected under different immigration pathways such as Express Entry, Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) etc.
Brief: Atlantic Immigration Program
- The NOC’s current four-category skill level structure has been replaced by a new six category system called Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) to classify each occupation.
- The NOC has only four skill levels. For example, NOC A level jobs need university degrees; NOC B level occupations require college (university) diploma; NOC C level jobs need educational knowledge till Class 12 (minimum) or apprentice or job-specific training; and NOC D level are manual or labour jobs that require on the job training.
- The revised NOC will use a five-tier hierarchical system to classify jobs and occupations. Skill level and occupations will be grouped under five-digit codification system instead of the current alphabetical system. The TEER system will have six categories – 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
electing the right occupation from Canada NOC list 2021 is important to successfully migrate to Canada for work purpose. The IRCC will match skills, work experience, training and education of applicants as per the new digit based structure of 2021 NOC codes, which is also called Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER).
The IRCC will start applying new NOC code in the second half of 2022. The Canada immigration process and documentation till then will use the existing 2016 NOC list (or the last updated NOC list).
What is National Occupational Classification?
The applicant’s education, skill, training, knowledge and relevant work experience required for listed job vacancies are assessed based on NOC. The NOC lists job vacancies and work opportunities in different Canadian provinces as per demands of industries, manufacturing domains, service sectors and local labour markets. Therefore, Canada immigration depends on fulfilling eligibility criteria of NOC.
The federal government of Canada reviews NOC after every ten years. The revised NOC list highlights changes in requirements in industries, service sectors and labour markets in Canada. The revised list of NOC for 2022 was announced last year in September by Statistics Canada and ESDC.
The authorities take a note of assessment and analysis of the Canadian industries, sectors and economy after ten years to revise NOC. The current immigration pathways, work permit and programs for foreign skilled workers and immigrants are running on basis of NOC 2016. The 2021 NOC codes highlight changes in Canadian employment sectors in the last decade (2011 -2021).
For foreign skilled workers and professionals, Express Entry System is one of the fastest and easiest gateways for Canada immigration. Interested applicants have to submit online applications mentioning previous relevant work experience that should match with NOC skill levels 0, A, or B in order to qualify for desired immigration gateway. Applicants, who meet eligibility criteria of NOC list are able to earn good points on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale and receive Invitation To Apply (ITA) in next rounds of Express Entry.
What is New NOC Code?
The new NOC code will replace the 2016 version of four-digit structure to classify jobs and occupations in Canada. Officially, it will be called TEER and it will add a new categorization for each occupation category.
The classifications of jobs and occupations as Skill Level A, B, C, or D will be replaced by TEER Category 0-5 as mentioned below –
| 2016 NOC Codes – Skill Levels | 2021 NOC Codes – TEER Categories |
| TEER Category 0 | |
| Skill Level “A” | TEER Category 1 |
| Skill Level “B” | TEER Category 2 |
| Skill Level “C” | TEER Category 3 |
| Skill Level “D” | TEER Category 4 |
| TEER Category 5 |
The Canada NOC list 2021 or TEER categories will make impact on choices of applicants seeking migration through relevant work experience under occupations at Skill Levels B and C. Under the six TEER Categories, most of the occupations earlier listed in NOC Skill Level B, some will be listed in TEER Category 2 and others in TEER Category 3.
For example, administrative assistants in 2016 NOC codes, were classified as NOC 1241 – Skill Level B occupation. In Canada NOC list 2021, administrative assistants will be listed as NOC 13110 – TEER Category 3.
More about TEER Categories for Express Entry System
Experts state that TEER system aims to focus more on level of education and relevant work experience while assessing applications of interested immigration candidates. The Statistics Canada considers that the skill type model (the current 2016 NOC list) creates formal categorizations between low and high skilled jobs. The current NOC codes do not properly consider skills, training, education and knowledge of interested applicants. The IRCC states that the TEER system will highlight skills required to do the job or occupation in Canada instead of simply focusing on number of years of relevant work experience of applicant. The IRCC will soon release further details on Canada NOC list 2021 and how Express Entry streams will utilise new NOC codes.
What are Other Important Changes in the Canada NOC list for 2021?
The names of some occupations as well as addition of some occupations have been done in Canada NOC list 2021 besides categorisation of TEER structure.
For instance, currently software engineers and designers apply for jobs under NOC code 2173, whereas under TEER categories they have to apply under NOC code 21231. However, the designation or profile will remain the same as software engineers and designers. Applicants, who have advanced knowledge as software engineers can apply under the new NOC code 21211 for data scientists. It is important to note that this NOC code or occupation was not listed till announcements of Canada NOC list 2021. Considering the emergence of some new occupations such as e-commerce, edtech, latest fields of IT, cyber security etc, some new skills and jobs have been added in the NOC list.
Most of the 2021 NOC codes have been merged, split off or transferred into other occupations.
More on NOC In-demand in Canada
The NOC codes in-demand Canada are five-digit codes and each digit indicates a different category or group number.
Find below ten broad skills and occupational categories and groups as indicated by each digit of the NOC In-demand in Canada –
| NOC 2021 Broad Category | when the first digit is… |
| BOC 0 – Legislative and senior management occupations | 0 |
| BOC 1 – Business, finance and administration occupations | 1 |
| BOC 2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations | 2 |
| BOC 3 – Health occupations | 3 |
| BOC 4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services | 4 |
| BOC 5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport | 5 |
| BOC 6 – Sales and service occupations | 6 |
| BOC 7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations | 7 |
| BOC 8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations | 8 |
| BOC 9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities | 9 |
TEER Categories based on Training, Education, Skills, Work Experience and Job Responsibility
| NOC 2021 Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) | |
| TEER Category 0 | – Management |
| TEER Category 1 | – Completion of a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate); OR – previous experience and expertise in subject matter knowledge from a related occupation found in TEER 2 (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 2 | – Completion of a 2-3 year post-secondary education program at community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; OR – Completion of a 2-5 apprenticeship training program; OR – Occupations with supervisory or significant safety (e.g. police officers and firefighters) responsibilities; OR – Several years of experience in a related occupation from TEER 3 (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 3 | – Completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; OR – Completion of an apprenticeship training program of less than two years; OR – 6+ months of on-the-job training, training courses, or specific work experience with some secondary school education; OR – Several years of experience in a related occupation from TEER 4 (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 4 | – Completion of secondary school; OR – Several weeks of on-the-job training with some secondary school education; OR – Experience in a related occupation from TEER 5 (when applicable). |
Seek Guidance From Signature Visas On Canada Immigration
Selecting the right NOC code is important in order to successfully migrate to Canada in a hassle free manner. It ensures a bright future and stable career of eligible applicants seeking Canada immigration through Express Entry, PNP and work permit. Interested applicants should get their applicants evaluated before starting the immigration process. A trustworthy and leading immigration consultant Signature Visas always assesses eligibility of applicants based on personal and professional details. It helps applicants to make informed decisions about immigration gateway and other requirements like NOC.