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1513.0 – Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors
Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors pick up and deliver letters, parcels, packages, newspapers, flyers and other items within and between establishments.
Profile
Example titles Help
- Bank messenger
- Courier
- Delivery person - courier service
- Door-to-door distributor
- Flyer distributor - courier service
- Newspaper carrier
- Runner - courier service
Main characteristics Help
- General learning ability to pick up and deliver printed materials and other items within prescribed time periods
- Clerical perception to collect payments
- Methodical interest in copying information to keep records of delivery transactions using delivery information acquisition devices
- Objective interest in handling to deliver newspapers, flyers, handbills, telephone directories and similar items to residences and businesses, and to hand-deliver mail to addressees within an organization and to establishments by walking or cycling
- Social interest in assisting customers by picking up and delivering messages, letters, envelopes, parcels, airline tickets, legal documents, packages, cheques, bonds, securities and other items
Aptitudes Help
One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:
- G
- General learning ability
- V
- Verbal ability
- N
- Numerical ability
- S
- Spatial perception
- P
- Form perception
- Q
- Clerical perception
- K
- Motor co-ordination
- F
- Finger dexterity
- M
- Manual dexterity

- The highest 10% of the working population
- Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
- Middle third of the working population
- Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
- Lowest 10% of the working population
An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.
General learning ability G-4
Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.
Verbal ability V-4
Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.
Numerical ability N-4
Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.
Spatial perception S-4
Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.
Form perception P-4
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.
Clerical perception Q-3
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.
Motor co-ordination K-4
Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.
Finger dexterity F-4
Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.
Manual dexterity M-4
Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.
Interests Help
Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:
- D
- Directive
- I
- Innovative
- M
- Methodical
- O
- Objective
- S
- Social
Methodical M
Methodical persons like to have clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They prefer working under the direction or supervision of others according to given instructions, or to be guided by established policies and procedures. Methodical persons like to work on one thing until it is completed. They enjoy following a set routine and prefer work that is free from the unexpected.
Objective o
Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.
Social s
Social persons like dealing with people. They enjoy caring for and assisting others in identifying their needs and solving their concerns. Social persons like working and co-operating with others. They prefer to be involved in work that requires interpersonal contact.
Data, people, and things Help
Data
- 0
- Synthesizing
- 1
- Co-ordinating
- 2
- Analyzing
- 3
- Compiling
- 4
- Computing
- 5
- Copying
- 6
- Comparing
- 7
- N/A
- 8
- Not Significant
People
- 0
- Mentoring
- 1
- Negotiating
- 2
- Instructing - Consulting
- 3
- Supervising
- 4
- Diverting
- 5
- Persuading
- 6
- Speaking - Signaling
- 7
- Serving - Assisting
- 8
- Not significant
Things
- 0
- Setting up
- 1
- Precision working
- 2
- Controlling
- 3
- Driving - Operating
- 4
- Operating - Manipulating
- 5
- Tending
- 6
- Feeding - Offbearing
- 7
- Handling
- 8
- Not significant
Data Copying 5
Carrying out a set of explicit procedural/operational functions or processes based on an understanding of instructions or information necessary to perform the work.*
People Assisting 7
Attending to the needs and requests of people or animals or the expressed and implicit wishes of people; helping and supporting other workers in the performance of tasks.
Things Handling 7
Using the body, hand tools and/or special devices to work, move or carry objects or materials. The attainment of standards or the selection of appropriate tool, object or material is not significant.
Physical activities Help
V - Vision
- 1
- Close visual acuity
- 2
- Near vision
- 3
- Near and far vision
- 4
- Total visual field
H - Hearing
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Verbal interaction
- 3
- Other sound discrimination
L - Limb co-ordination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Upper limb co-ordination
- 2
- Multiple limb co-ordination
C - Colour discrimination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Relevant
B - Body position
- 1
- Sitting
- 2
- Standing and/or walking
- 3
- Sitting, standing, walking
- 4
- Other body positions
S - Strength
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Light
- 3
- Medium
- 4
- Heavy
Vision Vision V-4
The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.
4 - Total visual field
Work activities involve the entire field of vision – Near and far vision (3) – as well as depth perception and peripheral vision.
Examples:
- driving vehicles
- refereeing sports events
- fighting fires
- dancing onstage in ballet performances
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-0
The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.
0 - Not relevant
Colour discrimination is not relevant in the performance of the work.
Examples:
- cleaning windows
- providing information over the telephone
- interviewing, hiring and overseeing staff training
- translating documents
Hearing Hearing H-1
The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.
1 - Limited
Hearing is limited to short and/or infrequent verbal interactions in order to perform the work.
Examples:
- typing and proofreading correspondence
- cutting and trimming meat, poultry and fish according to customers' orders
- carrying linen to and from laundry areas and running errands
- assisting mine workers in constructing underground installations
Body position Body position B-4
Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.
4 - Other body positions
Work activities involve body postures other than, or in addition to, Sitting (1) and Standing and/or walking (2) such as bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching
Examples:
- performing labouring duties in warehouses
- measuring, cutting and installing carpeting
- adjusting, repairing or replacing parts and components of automotive systems
- treating patients' disorders of the spine and body through corrective manipulation
Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-2
The use of limbs in performing work.
2 - Multiple limb co-ordination
Work activities are carried out by co-ordinating the movements of upper limb(s) simultaneously with lower limb(s).
Examples:
- digging ditches using shovels
- operating and driving automobiles, vans and trucks
- climbing and working aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures
- performing in figure skating competitions
Strength Strength S-3
The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.
3 - Medium
Work activities involve handling loads between 10 kg and 20 kg.
Examples:
- setting up and operating finishing machines or finishing furniture by hand
- measuring, cutting and applying wallpaper to walls
- adjusting, replacing or repairing mechanical or electrical components using hand tools and equipment
- operating film cameras to record live events
Environmental conditions Help
Location
- L1
- Regulated inside climate
- L2
- Unregulated inside climate
- L3
- Outside
- L4
- In a vehicle or cab
Hazards
- H1
- Dangerous chemical substances
- H2
- Biological agents
- H3
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- H4
- Electricity
- H5
- Radiation
- H6
- Flying particles, falling objects
- H7
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- H8
- Dangerous locations
Discomforts
- D1
- Noise
- D2
- Vibration
- D3
- Odours
- D4
- Non-toxic dusts
- D5
- Wetness
Location Outside L3
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L3 - Outside
An outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to variations in weather conditions and seasonal weather patterns.
Examples:
- maintaining lawns
- repairing buildings, roads, bridges and dams
- operating power saws to thin and space trees
- delivering mail
Location In a vehicle or cab L4
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L4 - In a vehicle or cab
An interior space in any form of vehicle or in the cab of heavy equipment operated by the worker.
Examples:
- driving buses
- operating cranes
- providing service to passengers during flights
- operating subway transit vehicles
Employment requirements Help
Education/training Help
- 1
- No formal education or training requirements
- 2
- Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
- 3
- High school
- 4
- Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
- 5
- Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
- 6
- College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
- 7
- Undergraduate degree
- 8
- Post-graduate or professional degree
- +
- Additional requirement beyond education and training
- R
- Regulated requirement(s)
- Secondary school education may be required.
- Eligibility for bonding may be required.
- Ability to navigate streets and follow directions is usually required.
- Physical fitness is required for some occupations in this group.
Workplaces/employers Help
- Courier service companies
- Establishments throughout the private and public sectors
Occupational options Help
- Progression to supervisory positions may be possible with experience.
- There is some mobility into other delivery occupations such as delivery drivers.
- There may be mobility to clerical occupations within the company.
Exclusions Help
Remarks Help
- For some occupations in this group, Location L4(In a vehicle or cab) may also apply
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 1 – Business, finance and administration occupations
- Skill level
- C – Occupations usually require secondary school and/or occupation-specific training
- Minor group
- 15 – Distribution, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations
- Minor group
- 151 – Mail and message distribution occupations
- Unit group
- 1513 – Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3