- Met Introduction
- Met Applications
- 3 Current step Broad occupational category
- 4 TEER category
- 5 Practice quiz I
- 6 Step one - Complete
Broad occupational category Return to menu
In a nutshell, the NOC is a tool that is used to classify occupations according to their Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category and broad occupational category. A five-digit code, also referred to as a unit group, identifies the occupation. There are 516 unit groups in the NOC 2021.
Let's begin by looking at the first digit and the significance it has with respect to the NOC.
The broad occupational category is based on the type of work performed or the sector of activity and also reflects the field of training or experience that is normally required for entry into an occupation. This includes the educational area of study required, as well as the industry of employment in cases where experience within an internal job ladder is required. These categories are intended to indicate easily understood segments of the world of work.
The first digit of the NOC code designates the broad occupational category. For example, occupations in manufacturing and utilities start with the digit 9.
The 10 broad occupational categories, as represented by the first digit of the NOC code, are:
0 – Legislative and senior management occupations
This broad occupational category contains legislators and senior management occupations.
1 – Business, finance and administration occupations
This broad occupational category contains occupations that are concerned with providing financial and business services, administrative and regulatory services, and clerical supervision and support services. Some occupations in this broad occupational category are unique to the financial and business service sectors; however, most are found in all industries.
2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
This broad occupational category contains professional and technical occupations in the sciences, including physical and life sciences, engineering, architecture, and information technology.
3 – Health occupations
This broad occupational category includes occupations concerned with providing health care services directly to patients and occupations that provide support to professional and technical health care staff.
4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
This broad occupational category includes occupations that are concerned with teaching, law, social and community services, social sciences, occupations in public administration (including front line public protection services), developing government policy, and administering governmental and other programs.
5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
This broad occupational category includes professional and technical occupations related to art and culture, including the performing arts, film and video, broadcasting, journalism, writing, creative design, libraries, and museums. It also includes occupations in recreation and sport.
6 – Sales and service occupations
This broad occupational category contains sales occupations as well as personal and customer service occupations, including hospitality and tourism.
7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
This broad occupational category includes construction and mechanical trades, trades supervisors and contractors, and operators of transportation and heavy equipment. These occupations are found in a wide range of industries.
This broad occupational category also includes most of the apprenticeable trades. Other occupations in this category usually require completion of college or other programs combined with on-the-job training. Progression to supervisory or self-employed contractor status is possible with experience. There is limited mobility or transferability of skills among occupations in this category due to specific apprenticeship, training, and licensing requirements for most occupations.
8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
This broad occupational category contains supervisory and equipment operation occupations in the natural resource-based sectors of mining, oil and gas production, forestry and logging, agriculture, horticulture, fishing, hunting, and trapping. Most occupations in this category are industry specific and do not occur outside of the primary industries.
9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
This broad occupational category contains supervisory and production occupations in manufacturing, processing, and utilities.
You now know how occupations are classified according to a work domain that is called "broad occupational category". We will now learn how the NOC further categorizes occupations according to different TEER categories and requirements for entering occupations.