Changes to the National Occupational Classification
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada work collaboratively to complete National Occupational Classification (NOC) updates and revisions. Historically, the departments undertook content updates every five years and structural revisions every ten years.
To establish the frequency of updates and revisions, the departments strive to reconcile the need to keep the classification up-to-date with the ability to reflect occupational changes over time, while minimizing disruption to statistical coding and time series analysis. As part of continuous improvement, ESDC and Statistics Canada agreed to update the NOC on a more frequent basis following the publication of the 2016 version of the NOC.
You can find a summary of all the changes that took place since 2001 below:
NOC 2021 updates
Summary of changes
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 major revision updates the structural framework of the classification, rendering it more consistent, accurate, and flexible. To this effect, the first major change is the replacement of skill levels with the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories. This new terminology is more precise, as the NOC assesses not the level of skills but the level of training, of formal education, of experience required to gain entry into each occupation, and the responsibilities associated to it.
The second major change revolves around the number of TEER categories. In the new NOC structure, there are six TEER categories, up from the current four skill levels. In the 2016 version of the NOC, “skill level” B contains the most occupations of all skill levels (about 1/3 of all unit groups) and its employment requirements are relatively wide. This change ensures clearer distinctions between the employment requirements associated with each TEER category, leading to a more consistent and homogeneous classification. The new TEER categories are defined as follows:
TEER 0 | Management occupations. |
TEER 1 |
|
TEER 2 |
|
TEER 3 |
|
TEER 4 |
|
TEER 5 | Short work demonstration and no formal educational requirements. |
The third major change is the structural move from a four-tiered to a five-tiered classification system. NOC codes will change from the traditional 4-digit format to a new 5-digit format. This new codification system is more flexible than the previous system and allows for the incorporation of many new unit groups in the future, as needed. It also ensures consistency in the numbering system. The new 5-digit NOC code is defined as follows:
- The first digit represents the broad occupational category;
- The second digit represents the TEER category;
- The first two digits together represent the major group;
- The first three digits represent the sub-major group;
- The first four digits represent the minor group; and finally
- The full five digits represent the unit group or the occupation itself.
In addition to these major modifications to the structure of the classification, the new NOC 2021 led to a number of changes to the occupations themselves. These changes to the occupations aim at keeping the classification up to date with the evolution of the labour market. New unit groups were created for emerging occupations such as Data scientists and Cybersecurity specialists. Moreover, some occupations were deemed statistically sufficient to be granted their own unit group, such as Financial advisors and Police investigators, and the three distinct unit groups created for Software developers and programmers. Finally, some sectors sustained significant renewal, notably the information technology sector, the health and agriculture sectors, as well as the postal services and the military occupations.
The new NOC 2021 contains 516 occupations, up from the 500 unit groups included in the NOC 2016. Of those 516 unit groups, 423 have a one-to-one correspondence with a unit group from the NOC 2016. This means that, with the exception of the change in the NOC code, these are exactly the same occupations as they were in the previous version of the classification. The table below details how the 516 unit groups from NOC 2021 were built:
Unit groups with a one-to-one correspondence from NOC 2016 | 423 unit groups |
New unit groups created from an existing unit group that was split | 58 unit groups |
Existing unit groups to which part of another unit group was added | 30 unit groups |
New unit groups created from two unit groups merging together | 5 unit groups |
Total | 516 unit groups |
Finally, many unit groups have seen their list of associated job titles, main duties, and employment requirements reviewed in detail to ensure that they are reflective of those currently observed in the occupations.
Please view the NOC concordance tables for more details regarding all the changes made to the NOC.
NOC 2016 updates
NOC 2016 version 1.3 – December 2019
Summary of changes
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) has been developed and maintained as part of a collaborative partnership between Employment and Social Development Canada and Statistics Canada.
This update, released on December 16, 2019, mainly focuses on the standardization of the lead statement and of the main duties sections across the classification. Therefore, these sections were modified for most unit groups (sometimes going through only small alterations) in order to improve consistency and ease of reading.
Some specific changes were made to the lead statement, main duties, and employment requirements sections of NOC 3222 – Dental hygienists and dental therapist.
The main duties of NOC 7201 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations, NOC 7202 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations, NOC 7203 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades, NOC 7204 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades, NOC 7205 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers, NOC 7301 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades, and NOC 7302 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews were also modified to add one generic change.
Finally, job titles were added to or deleted from some unit groups across the classification.
NOC 2016 version 1.2 – December 2018
Summary of changes
This update to the classification was completed in response to the legalization of cannabis for non-medical use. This has resulted in twenty-five new job titles being created in NOC 2016 to reflect new occupations in the cannabis industry.
Code | Job title addition |
---|---|
0212 | quality assurance manager - cannabis |
0621 | cannabis dispensary manager |
0621 | cannabis shop manager |
0822 | master grower - cannabis |
0822 | head grower - cannabis |
2121 | extraction specialist - cannabis |
2211 | quality control technician - cannabis |
2225 | cloning technician - cannabis |
2225 | cultivation technician |
3233 | nurse educator - cannabis |
6421 | budtender - cannabis |
6421 | bud expert - cannabis |
6421 | cannabis educator |
6421 | cannabis consultant |
7514 | cannabis courier |
7514 | cannabis delivery driver |
8255 | section grower - cannabis |
8255 | lead grower - cannabis |
8432 | cannabis trimmer |
8432 | cannabis trim worker |
8432 | grower - cannabis |
9213 | production supervisor - cannabis processing |
9213 | cannabis processing supervisor |
9461 | encapsulator - cannabis processing |
9617 | cannabis processing labourer |
NOC 2016 version 1.1 – December 2017
Summary of changes
ESDC and Statistics Canada reviewed the proposed changes that were submitted through the consultation process. Structural changes have not been included in this update; these will be taken into account as part of the NOC 2021 revision.
The following tables list the changes made as part of this update:
Code | Job title addition |
---|---|
0213 | computer systems integration manager |
1311 | finance technician |
2152 | senior landscape architect |
2171 | management information systems (MIS) consultant |
2171 | software quality assurance (QA) auditor |
2172 | data scientist |
2173 | cloud engineer |
2173 | cloud administrator |
2173 | cloud architect |
2174 | cloud developer |
6532 | zipline guide |
7441 | window film installer |
Code | Job title deletion |
---|---|
0213 | systems integration manager – computer systems |
0213 | MIS (management information system) manager |
0213 | IT (information technology) development manager |
0213 | systems manager – computer systems |
0213 | systems development manager – computer systems |
0213 | systems operations manager – computer systems |
2152 | landscape planner |
2152 | golf course architect |
2171 | IT (information technology) business analyst |
2171 | information systems quality assurance analyst |
2171 | software QA (quality assurance) analyst |
2171 | EDP (electronic data processing) auditor |
2172 | DBA (database analyst) |
2172 | DBA (database architect) |
2172 | DBA (database administrator) |
2172 | database architect dba |
2173 | artificial intelligence designer |
2173 | technical architect – software |
2173 | systems designer – software |
2173 | systems integration engineer – software |
2173 | test engineer, software |
2174 | Java programmer |
2174 | visual basic programmer |
2174 | EDP (electronic data processing) applications programmer |
2174 | PC (personal computer) application developer |
NOC 2016 version 1.0 – May 2017
Summary of changes
English job title | Type of clarification to NOC 2016 |
---|---|
child life specialist | addition to 4212 |
dimensional inspector - machine shop | move to 7231 (from 9416) |
fire suppression crewman/woman – forestry | job title change: "forestry" added to job title (8422) |
fire crewman/woman – forestry | job title change: "forestry" added to job title (8422) |
garbage collector | addition to 7621 |
metal scaffold erector | move to 7236 (from 7611) |
metal scaffold erector | move to 7236 (from 7611) |
metal scaffold erector helper | addition to 7611 |
military police officer | addition to 4313 |
military policeman/woman | addition to 4313 |
paper maker – control operation | job title change: “control operation” added to job title (9235) |
realtor | move to 6232 (from 0121) |
real estate broker | move to 0121 (from 6232) |
snow removal equipment operator – private home | addition to 7521 |
NOC 2016 – October 2016
The purpose of the 2016 revision of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) has been to: update the classification to incorporate emerging occupations and new job titles while maintaining historical comparability; remove redundant or obsolete job titles to optimize readability and navigation of the NOC; incorporate editorial changes; integrate the concept of inclusions at the unit group level; and add NOC major and minor groups definitions.
The structure of NOC 2016 remains unchanged from that of NOC 2011. No major groups, minor groups, or unit groups have been added, deleted, or combined, though some groups have modified labels or updated content.
Job title changes at the unit group and minor group levels and updates to the definitions of some unit groups reflect added information, correction of terminology to correspond with current usage, and the evolution of some occupations and where they are classified.
Many new job titles have been added to NOC 2016, which arise as the division of labour in Canadian society evolves, creating new jobs and new specializations, and as technological change brings with it new terminology. Some of the titles added to reflect such changes are: geodesist, medical archivist, crime scene examiner, corrosion technologist, video game tester, and biomass plant technicians. Other added titles are modified versions, or alternatives, that appeared in previous versions of the NOC and have been added to help users find particular occupations. For example, power plant stationary engineer appeared in earlier versions of the NOC; operating engineer - power plant has been added.
To clarify the boundaries between occupations, a few titles have been re-assigned to a different unit group in NOC 2016. The impact of this on the comparability of data between 2011 and 2016 is negligible. For example, Admission director – health care has been moved from Managers in health care (0311) to Other administrative services managers (0114). This change will have a minimal impact on the unit groups affected, and provides a more appropriate placement. In all other cases where titles have been moved, this was done to clarify the boundaries and improve content description of these unit groups. For example, the titles ‘tax collector’ and ‘collector of taxes’ were being coded in Collectors (1435) rather than in Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers (1228).
With the transition to a paperless environment and content digitalization, significant format changes were made to the list of job titles contained in the NOC. To optimize the use of the NOC, redundant or obsolete job titles were removed. In the past, titles appeared in both in natural order (e.g., travel agent) and in inverted order (e.g., agent, travel). Inverted titles used a comma as a separator in the title string making it easier to find titles in a paper publication. As this concept became outdated and redundant in web publications and data files, more than 10 000 duplicates entries were removed for the NOC 2016.
The NOC is structured in accordance with the Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM): Statistical Classifications Model. In order to comply with the demands of GSIM, the NOC was revised with the addition of inclusions to supplement the existing illustrative examples and exclusions. Inclusions are borderline cases for the unit group. They are presented separately in order to clarify the contents of the class. Note that creation of Inclusions does not change the boundaries of any NOC unit group.
Summary of changes
Table 1 – Modified unit group labels
Code | 2011 label | 2016 label |
---|---|---|
0433 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
1432 | Payroll clerks | Payroll administrators |
4313 | Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces | Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces |
7313 | Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
9213 | Supervisors, food, beverage and associated products processing | Supervisors, food and beverage processing |
9232 | Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
9461 | Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing |
9465 | Testers and graders, food, beverage and associated products processing | Testers and graders, food and beverage processing |
9617 | Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing | Labourers in food and beverage processing |
Table 2 – Modified unit group descriptions
Table 2 contains the list of the 314 of the 500 unit groups that were revised for the 2016 NOC revision. Some unit groups in this list reflect only editorial changes.
Code | Label |
---|---|
0011 | Legislators |
0012 | Senior government managers and officials |
0013 | Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services |
0014 | Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations |
0015 | Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c. |
0016 | Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities |
0111 | Financial managers |
0112 | Human resources managers |
0113 | Purchasing managers |
0121 | Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers |
0122 | Banking, credit and other investment managers |
0124 | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers |
0131 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
0421 | Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training |
0422 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
0431 | Commissioned police officers |
0432 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
0433 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
0511 | Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers |
0513 | Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors |
0712 | Home building and renovation managers |
0714 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
0731 | Managers in transportation |
0821 | Managers in agriculture |
0912 | Utilities managers |
1111 | Financial auditors and accountants |
1112 | Financial and investment analysts |
1113 | Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers |
1114 | Other financial officers |
1121 | Human resources professionals |
1122 | Professional occupations in business management consulting |
1123 | Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations |
1211 | Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers |
1213 | Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers |
1215 | Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations |
1223 | Human resources and recruitment officers |
1227 | Court officers and justices of the peace |
1228 | Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers |
1241 | Administrative assistants |
1242 | Legal administrative assistants |
1243 | Medical administrative assistants |
1251 | Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations |
1253 | Records management technicians |
1312 | Insurance adjusters and claims examiners |
1314 | Assessors, valuators and appraisers |
1315 | Customs, ship and other brokers |
1414 | Receptionists |
1423 | Desktop publishing operators and related occupations |
1432 | Payroll administrators |
1434 | Banking, insurance and other financial clerks |
1452 | Correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks |
1454 | Survey interviewers and statistical clerks |
1523 | Production logistics co-ordinators |
1524 | Purchasing and inventory control workers |
1525 | Dispatchers |
2111 | Physicists and astronomers |
2112 | Chemists |
2113 | Geoscientists and oceanographers |
2114 | Meteorologists and climatologists |
2115 | Other professional occupations in physical sciences |
2121 | Biologists and related scientists |
2122 | Forestry professionals |
2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
2148 | Other professional engineers, n.e.c. |
2151 | Architects |
2152 | Landscape architects |
2153 | Urban and land use planners |
2154 | Land surveyors |
2161 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
2173 | Software engineers and designers |
2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
2211 | Chemical technologists and technicians |
2212 | Geological and mineral technologists and technicians |
2221 | Biological technologists and technicians |
2222 | Agricultural and fish products inspectors |
2223 | Forestry technologists and technicians |
2225 | Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists |
2231 | Civil engineering technologists and technicians |
2232 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
2233 | Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
2244 | Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
2251 | Architectural technologists and technicians |
2252 | Industrial designers |
2253 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
2254 | Land survey technologists and technicians |
2255 | Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology |
2262 | Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers |
2263 | Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety |
2264 | Construction inspectors |
2271 | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
2272 | Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
2275 | Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators |
2281 | Computer network technicians |
2282 | User support technicians |
2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
3011 | Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors |
3012 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
3111 | Specialist physicians |
3112 | General practitioners and family physicians |
3113 | Dentists |
3121 | Optometrists |
3124 | Allied primary health practitioners |
3125 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
3131 | Pharmacists |
3132 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
3141 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
3142 | Physiotherapists |
3143 | Occupational therapists |
3144 | Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
3211 | Medical laboratory technologists |
3212 | Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants |
3214 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
3215 | Medical radiation technologists |
3216 | Medical sonographers |
3217 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. |
3219 | Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) |
3222 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
3232 | Practitioners of natural healing |
3233 | Licensed practical nurses |
3234 | Paramedical occupations |
3237 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
3411 | Dental assistants |
3413 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
3414 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
4012 | Post-secondary teaching and research assistants |
4021 | College and other vocational instructors |
4031 | Secondary school teachers |
4151 | Psychologists |
4152 | Social workers |
4154 | Professional occupations in religion |
4155 | Probation and parole officers and related occupations |
4156 | Employment counsellors |
4161 | Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
4163 | Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants |
4164 | Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
4167 | Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
4168 | Program officers unique to government |
4169 | Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c. |
4211 | Paralegal and related occupations |
4214 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
4216 | Other instructors |
4217 | Other religious occupations |
4311 | Police officers (except commissioned) |
4312 | Firefighters |
4411 | Home child care providers |
4412 | Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations |
4422 | Correctional service officers |
4423 | By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers, n.e.c. |
5111 | Librarians |
5112 | Conservators and curators |
5125 | Translators, terminologists and interpreters |
5131 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
5132 | Conductors, composers and arrangers |
5133 | Musicians and singers |
5134 | Dancers |
5135 | Actors and comedians |
5136 | Painters, sculptors and other visual artists |
5211 | Library and public archive technicians |
5212 | Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries |
5223 | Graphic arts technicians |
5226 | Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts |
5227 | Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts |
5231 | Announcers and other broadcasters |
5232 | Other performers, n.e.c. |
5241 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
5242 | Interior designers and interior decorators |
5243 | Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers |
5244 | Artisans and craftspersons |
5252 | Coaches |
6311 | Food service supervisors |
6312 | Executive housekeepers |
6313 | Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors |
6314 | Customer and information services supervisors |
6321 | Chefs |
6322 | Cooks |
6331 | Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
6332 | Bakers |
6341 | Hairstylists and barbers |
6342 | Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners |
6343 | Shoe repairers and shoemakers |
6344 | Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations |
6345 | Upholsterers |
6346 | Funeral directors and embalmers |
6511 | Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses |
6513 | Food and beverage servers |
6521 | Travel counsellors |
6522 | Pursers and flight attendants |
6523 | Airline ticket and service agents |
6524 | Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks |
6525 | Hotel front desk clerks |
6531 | Tour and travel guides |
6532 | Outdoor sport and recreational guides |
6533 | Casino occupations |
6541 | Security guards and related security service occupations |
6552 | Other customer and information services representatives |
6561 | Image, social and other personal consultants |
6562 | Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations |
6564 | Other personal service occupations |
6611 | Cashiers |
6621 | Service station attendants |
6623 | Other sales related occupations |
6711 | Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations |
6721 | Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services |
6722 | Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport |
6731 | Light duty cleaners |
6732 | Specialized cleaners |
6733 | Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents |
6741 | Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations |
6742 | Other service support occupations, n.e.c. |
7201 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
7203 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
7204 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
7231 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
7232 | Tool and die makers |
7233 | Sheet metal workers |
7235 | Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
7237 | Welders and related machine operators |
7245 | Telecommunications line and cable workers |
7246 | Telecommunications installation and repair workers |
7247 | Cable television service and maintenance technicians |
7252 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
7284 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
7291 | Roofers and shinglers |
7311 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
7312 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
7313 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
7314 | Railway carmen/women |
7315 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
7321 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
7322 | Motor vehicle body repairers |
7331 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
7332 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
7333 | Electrical mechanics |
7334 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
7335 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
7361 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
7362 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
7371 | Crane operators |
7372 | Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction |
7373 | Water well drillers |
7384 | Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c. |
7442 | Waterworks and gas maintenance workers |
7452 | Material handlers |
7511 | Transport truck drivers |
7512 | Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators |
7513 | Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs |
7521 | Heavy equipment operators (except crane) |
7522 | Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers |
7532 | Water transport deck and engine room crew |
7533 | Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations |
7622 | Railway and motor transport labourers |
8232 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
8241 | Logging machinery operators |
8252 | Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers |
8261 | Fishing masters and officers |
8262 | Fishermen/women |
8412 | Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators |
8421 | Chain saw and skidder operators |
8431 | General farm workers |
8432 | Nursery and greenhouse workers |
8441 | Fishing vessel deckhands |
8442 | Trappers and hunters |
8611 | Harvesting labourers |
8612 | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers |
8613 | Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers |
8614 | Mine labourers |
8616 | Logging and forestry labourers |
9211 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
9212 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
9213 | Supervisors, food and beverage processing |
9215 | Supervisors, forest products processing |
9222 | Supervisors, electronics manufacturing |
9232 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
9241 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
9243 | Water and waste treatment plant operators |
9411 | Machine operators, mineral and metal processing |
9412 | Foundry workers |
9413 | Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters |
9414 | Concrete, clay and stone forming operators |
9416 | Metalworking and forging machine operators |
9421 | Chemical plant machine operators |
9422 | Plastics processing machine operators |
9423 | Rubber processing machine operators and related workers |
9431 | Sawmill machine operators |
9436 | Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders |
9441 | Textile fibre and yarn, hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers |
9442 | Weavers, knitters and other fabric making occupations |
9445 | Fabric, fur and leather cutters |
9461 | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing |
9462 | Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers |
9463 | Fish and seafood plant workers |
9465 | Testers and graders, food and beverage processing |
9472 | Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations |
9473 | Binding and finishing machine operators |
9521 | Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors |
9522 | Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers |
9523 | Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers |
9524 | Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus and equipment manufacturing |
9525 | Assemblers, fabricators and inspectors, industrial electrical motors and transformers |
9526 | Mechanical assemblers and inspectors |
9527 | Machine operators and inspectors, electrical apparatus manufacturing |
9531 | Boat assemblers and inspectors |
9532 | Furniture and fixture assemblers and inspectors |
9533 | Other wood products assemblers and inspectors |
9534 | Furniture finishers and refinishers |
9535 | Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors |
9536 | Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators |
9537 | Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors |
9618 | Labourers in fish and seafood processing |
Table 3 – Placement of titles in unit groups
Some job titles were moved from one unit group to another to better define the content of the unit groups.
Title | 2011 unit group | 2016 unit group |
---|---|---|
admission director – health care | 0311 | 0114 |
tax collector; collector of taxes | 1435 | 1228 |
fire suppression crew foreman/woman - forestry | 8211 | 2223 |
prevention officer - occupational health and safety | 4165 | 2263 |
NOC 2011 updates
NOC 2011 – 2011
The NOC 2011 updates both ESDC’s National Occupational Classification 2006 and Statistics Canada’s National Occupational Classification for Statistics (NOC-S) 2006. This revised edition eliminates the differences between the two former systems of classification.
Summary of changes
- Adopts a unified coding structure of 500 unit groups
- Realigns the NOC-S and NOC structures to a harmonized system of 40 major groups
- Divides the middle management group into three major groups and incorporates all management occupations into the Skill Level A dimension.
- Classifies all military occupations into one of two existing unit groups, specific to the military, and consistent with NOC-S coding of military personnel for data purposes.
The NOC 2011 edition is the result of a major revision cycle that involved in-depth research, analysis and assessment of the input received through consultations and job studies. Structural changes include adding, aggregating or merging, and splitting of unit group contents and reorganizing the position of certain groups on the broad occupational category and skill level dimensions.
NOC concordance tables
Please view the NOC concordance tables for more details regarding all the changes made to the NOC.
NOC 2006 updates
NOC 2006 – 2006
This volume represents the updated version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2001 edition), first published in 1992. The NOC 2006 is considered a minor update with no revisions to the classification structure. The changes include the addition of new titles and the modification of descriptive content for certain NOC groups. Some changes were also made to reflect consistency between the English and French versions and to correct errors. The update affected approximately 200 of the 520 NOC unit groups.
The original introduction to the NOC 2001 is included with this edition, as the structural changes made for the 2001 revision are still in effect. Since then new titles have gained prominence and much of the 2006 update focused on integrating them in the classification. Certain titles that may be classified in many different groups remain problematic. However, with access to increasingly sophisticated search mechanisms, it is expected that some of these titles will be added to the classification in the next revision projected for Census 2011.
The summary below does not identify specific content changes but provides an indication of the magnitude and types of changes that were made.
Summary of changes
Unit group title changes
Code | From 2001 | To 2006 |
---|---|---|
0513 | recreation and sports program and service directors | recreation, sports and fitness program directors |
2173 | software engineers | software engineers and designers |
2281 | computer and network operators and web technicians | computer network technicians |
5254 | program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport program | leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness |
6251 | butchers and meat cutters - retail and wholesale | butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale |
7321 | automotive service technicians, truck mechanics and mechanical repairers | automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
Overview of changes
Review and updates were performed to approximately 150 of the 520 unit group descriptions that included the lead statement, main duties, employment requirements, additional information, and classified elsewhere sections. These changes are minor and do not affect data or group boundaries.
Some groups listed reflect editorial changes only. The focus was on the following unit groups:
Code | Label |
---|---|
1111 | Financial Auditors and Accountants |
1114 | Other Financial Officers |
1121 | Specialists in Human Resources |
1122 | Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management |
1221 | Administrative Officers |
1222 | Executive Assistants |
1223 | Personnel and Recruitment Officers |
1225 | Purchasing Agents and Officers |
1231 | Bookkeepers |
1232 | Loan Officers |
1241 | Secretaries (Except Legal and Medical) |
1411 | General Office Clerks |
1413 | Records Management and Filing Clerks |
1422 | Data Entry Clerks |
1423 | Desktop Publishing Operators and Related Occupations |
1431 | Accounting and Related Clerks |
1434 | Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Clerks |
1435 | Collectors |
1451 | Library Clerks |
1453 | Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks |
1454 | Survey Interviewers and Statistical Clerks |
1472 | Storekeepers and Parts Clerks |
1475 | Dispatchers and Radio Operators |
2112 | Chemists |
2121 | Biologists and Related Scientists |
2145 | Petroleum Engineers |
2147 | Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers) |
2161 | Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries |
2171 | Information Systems Analysts and Consultants |
2172 | Database Analysts and Data Administrators |
2173 | Software Engineers and Designers |
2174 | Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers |
2175 | Web Designers and Developers |
2211 | Chemical Technologists and Technicians |
2221 | Biological Technologists and Technicians |
2224 | Conservation and Fishery Officers |
2232 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
2233 | Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians |
2253 | Drafting Technologists and Technicians |
2281 | Computer Network Technicians |
2282 | User Support Technicians |
2283 | Systems Testing Technicians |
3132 | Dietitians and Nutritionists |
3142 | Physiotherapists |
3144 | Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment |
3152 | Registered Nurses |
3211 | Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants |
3212 | Medical Laboratory Technicians |
3213 | Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians |
3232 | Midwives and Practitioners of Natural Healing |
3234 | Ambulance Attendants and Other Paramedical Occupations |
3235 | Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment |
3414 | Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services |
4112 | Lawyers and Quebec Notaries |
4122 | Post-Secondary Teaching and Research Assistants |
4131 | College and Other Vocational Instructors |
4141 | Secondary School Teachers |
4142 | Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers |
4143 | Educational Counsellors |
4151 | Psychologists |
4153 | Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors |
4161 | Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers |
4163 | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants |
4164 | Social Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers |
4167 | Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants |
4168 | Program Officers Unique to Government |
4212 | Community and Social Service Workers |
4214 | Early Childhood Educators and Assistants |
4215 | Instructors and Teachers of Persons with Disabilities |
4216 | Other Instructors |
4217 | Other Religious Occupations |
5111 | Librarians |
5112 | Conservators and Curators |
5113 | Archivists |
5124 | Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications |
5125 | Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters |
5131 | Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations |
5133 | Musicians and Singers |
5211 | Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants |
5212 | Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries |
5222 | Film and Video Camera Operators |
5223 | Graphic Arts Technicians |
5226 | Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts |
5231 | Announcers and Other Broadcasters |
5232 | Other Performers |
5241 | Graphic Designers and Illustrators |
5243 | Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers |
5244 | Artisans and Craftspersons |
5251 | Athletes |
5252 | Coaches |
5253 | Sports Officials and Referees |
5254 | Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness |
6211 | Retail Trade Supervisors |
6221 | Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade |
6232 | Real Estate Agents and Salespersons |
6241 | Chefs |
6242 | Cooks |
6251 | Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers - Retail and Wholesale |
6271 | Hairstylists and Barbers |
6421 | Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks |
6431 | Travel Counsellors |
6433 | Airline Sales and Service Agents |
6452 | Bartenders |
6465 | Other Protective Service Occupations |
6471 | Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations |
6472 | Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants |
6474 | Babysitters, Nannies and Parents' Helpers |
6611 | Cashiers |
6621 | Service Station Attendants |
6622 | Grocery Clerks and Store Shelf Stockers |
6623 | Other Elemental Sales Occupations |
6641 | Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations |
6651 | Security Guards and Related Occupations |
6661 | Light Duty Cleaners |
6662 | Specialized Cleaners |
6663 | Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents |
6671 | Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport |
6672 | Other Attendants in Accommodation and Travel |
6683 | Other Elemental Service Occupations |
7218 | Supervisors, Printing and Related Occupations |
7221 | Supervisors, Railway Transport Operations |
7243 | Power System Electricians |
7244 | Electrical Power Line and Cable Workers |
7252 | Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers |
7264 | Ironworkers |
7271 | Carpenters |
7295 | Floor Covering Installers |
7313 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics |
7321 | Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers |
7322 | Motor Vehicle Body Repairers |
7334 | Motorcycle and Other Related Mechanics |
7335 | Other Small Engine and Equipment Mechanics |
7351 | Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators |
7352 | Power Systems and Power Station Operators |
7382 | Commercial Divers |
7383 | Other Trades and Related Occupations |
7411 | Truck Drivers |
7413 | Taxi and Limousine Drivers and Chauffeurs |
7414 | Delivery and Courier Service Drivers |
7443 | Automotive Mechanical Installers and Servicers |
7445 | Other Repairers and Servicers |
7452 | Material Handlers |
7611 | Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers |
7612 | Other Trades Helpers and Labourers |
7621 | Public Works and Maintenance Labourers |
7622 | Railway and Motor Transport Labourers |
8231 | Underground Production and Development Miners |
8232 | Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers |
8251 | Farmers and Farm Managers |
8253 | Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers |
8256 | Supervisors, Landscape and Horticulture |
8412 | Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators |
8422 | Silviculture and Forestry Workers |
8431 | General Farm Workers |
8432 | Nursery and Greenhouse Workers |
8611 | Harvesting Labourers |
8612 | Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers |
8615 | Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Related Labourers |
8616 | Logging and Forestry Labourers |
9461 | Process Control and Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing |
9462 | Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers and Related Workers |
9472 | Camera, Platemaking and Other Pre-Press Occupations |
9473 | Binding and Finishing Machine Operators |
9482 | Motor Vehicle Assemblers, Inspectors and Testers |
9483 | Electronics Assemblers, Fabricators, Inspectors and Testers |
9485 | Assemblers, Fabricators and Inspectors, Industrial Electrical Motors and Transformers |
9511 | Machining Tool Operators |
9514 | Metalworking Machine Operators |
9612 | Labourers in Metal Fabrication |
9617 | Labourers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing |
9619 | Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities |
Index of titles
Modifications and/or additions of new titles, including addition of gender-specific titles, were performed in nearly all 520 NOC unit groups. There are now:
- 42,813 English job titles (example and/or index titles)
- 80,885 French job titles (example and/or index titles)
Job titles - Moved from one unit group to another
The following job titles (example titles and/or index titles) moved from one NOC group to another:
Job title | From 2001 | To 2006 |
---|---|---|
health educator | 0311 | 4165 |
library curator | 0511 | 5112 |
florist – retail | 0621 | 6421 |
fitness centre manager | 0651 | 0513 |
health spa manager | 0651 | 0513 |
health studio manager | 0651 | 0513 |
manager, fitness centre | 0651 | 0513 |
health club manager | 0721 | 0513 |
manager, health club | 0721 | 0513 |
histology technician | 3211 | 3212 |
personal trainer | 4167 | 5254 |
tutor – elementary school subjects | 4216 | 4142 |
campground maintenance worker | 6671 | 8612 |
maintenance worker, campground | 6671 | 8612 |
NOC 2001 updates
NOC 2001 - 2001
The 2001 edition of the NOC replaces the original NOC publication in 1992 and the parallel 1991 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) produced by Statistics Canada. The revised SOC is now entitled the National Occupational Classification for Statistics (NOC-S). NOC 2001 and the NOC-S fill the gaps that have been identified as shortcomings of the NOC system. These include a missing technical level for information technology occupations, inconsistencies in relation to the statistical structure and the challenges in capturing the emergence of new ways of working, and new titles used in the labour market. NOC 2001, while conservative with respect to structural change, reflects the evolution occupations have undergone over the past decade.
Organizational framework of NOC 2001
The NOC is a three-tiered hierarchical arrangement of occupational groups with successive levels of disaggregation:
26 major groups
- Each major group has a unique two-digit code and is composed of one or more minor groups.
140 minor groups
- Each minor group has a unique three-digit code and is composed of one or more unit groups. The first two digits of this code indicate the major group to which the minor group belongs.
520 unit groups
- Each unit group has a unique four-digit code. The first three digits of this code indicate the minor group to which the unit group belongs.
A number of job titles are classified within each unit group. All job titles classified in the same unit group share the same four-digit unit group code. The title or label of the unit group represents the overall contents of the group.
The NOC revision process also included the revision of the NOC Index of titles. Please refer to the introduction in the index of titles for details related to this terminological research project.
There are over 35,000 job titles included in the revised NOC system. Some titles are clearly occupations, such as librarian and chef, while others reflect specializations within an occupational area, such as music librarian and pastry chef. Still, others represent a range of jobs, such as furniture assembler and sawmill machine operator.
These titles are used to describe the work performed by many individuals holding similar jobs within an occupational area. The list of titles in the NOC is not meant to be exhaustive, but attempts to cover the most commonly used and universally understood labels that identify work in the labour market.
Summary of changes
A research and consultation program was carried out for the purpose of revising the NOC. The following tables outline the types of structural changes at the minor and unit group levels that have resulted from the revision initiative.
New minor groups
Minor group | Details |
---|---|
217 Computer and Information Systems Professionals | New - Information Technology minor group at the professional skill level. |
228 Technical Occupations in Computer and Information Systems | New - Information Technology minor group at the professional skill level. |
Modified or deleted minor groups
Minor group | Details |
---|---|
216 Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries | Modified - Information technology occupations moved to new minor group at professional level. |
341 Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services | Modified - Occupations from former minor group 663 are now included here. |
644 Tour and Recreational Guides and Casino Occupations | Modified - Amusement attraction operator occupations moved to minor group 667 – Casino occupations remain here. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in minor group 341. | |
667 Other Occupations in Travel, Accommodation, Amusement and Recreation | Modified - Amusement attraction operator occupations from minor group 644 are now included here. |
New unit groups
Unit group | Details |
---|---|
2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants | New - Information technology group includes some occupations that were classified in former unit group 2162, Computer Systems Analysts. |
2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators | New - Information technology group at the professional skill level. |
2173 Software Engineers | New - Includes some occupations that were classified in unit group 2147, Computer Engineers. |
2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers | New - Includes some occupations that were classified in former unit group 2163, Computer Programmers. |
2175 Web Designers and Developers | New - Information technology group at the professional skill level. |
2281 Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians | New - Information technology group at the technical skill level that includes occupations classified in former unit group 1421, Computer Operators. |
2282 User Support Technicians | New - Information technology group at the technical skill level. |
2283 Systems Testing Technicians | New - Information technology group at the technical skill level. |
Modified or deleted unit groups
Unit group | Details |
---|---|
0721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 0722. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 0721. | |
1411 General Office Clerks | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 1412. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 1411. | |
Deleted - Occupations now included in new information technology unit group 2281. | |
Deleted - Occupations now included in new minor group 217 for information technology occupations at the professional level. | |
Deleted - Occupations now included in minor group 217. | |
3223 Dental Technologists, Technicians and Laboratory Bench Workers | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 3412. Was 3220 for statistical purposes. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 3223. Was 3220 for statistical purposes. | |
3414 Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 6631. |
4214 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 6473. Was 6470 for statistical purposes. |
6443 Casino Occupations | Modified - Amusement attraction operators, formerly part of this group, now included in unit group 6671. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 4214. | |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 3414. | |
6641 Casino Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 6642. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 6641. | |
6671 Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport | Modified - Amusement attraction operators, formerly from unit group 6443, now included here. Was 6670 for statistical purposes. |
7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators | Modified - Now includes occupations from former unit group 9515. Was 9510 for statistical purposes. |
Deleted - Occupations now included in unit group 7265. |
Changes to formerly aggregated unit groups for statistics
Unit group | Details |
---|---|
Deleted - Unit groups 0211, Engineering Managers, and 0212, Architecture and Science Managers, now disaggregated for statistical purposes. | |
Deleted - Replaced by 0721, Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers | |
Deleted - Unit groups 2231, Civil Engineers, and 2234, Construction Estimators, now disaggregated for statistical purposes. | |
Deleted - Replaced by 3223, Dental Technologists, Technicians and Laboratory Bench Workers. | |
Deleted - Unit groups 4164, Social Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers, and 4165, Heath Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers, now disaggregated for statistical purposes. | |
Deleted - Replaced by 4214, Early Childhood Educators and Assistants. | |
Deleted - Replaced by 6671, Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport. | |
Deleted - Replaced by 7265, Welders and Related Machine Operators. |
NOC 1992 updates
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) classifies more than 25,000 occupations by skill type and skill level to provide an accurate picture of the constantly changing Canadian labour market. Among its many applications, the NOC is a vital work tool for census surveys and labour market research and analysis, such as the Canadian Occupational Projection System.
Many programs and systems rely on the NOC for labour statistics including immigration, unemployment insurance, employment equity, and training. Counsellors in career planning and vocational rehabilitation will appreciate the easily updatable loose-leaf binder format and poster-size graph matrix that clearly illustrates the classification system.
The NOC replaces the Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations.
- Date modified: