The structure of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011 has changed and is replacing Statistics Canada’s National Occupational Classification for Statistics (NOC-S) 2006 and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s (HRSDC) NOC 2006, eliminating the differences that have existed between these two classifications. The NOC is being adapted to reflect the significant structural changes in the Canadian labour market since 2001.
The National Occupational Classification is the nationally accepted reference on occupations in Canada. It organizes over 30,000 job titles into 520 occupational group descriptions and in terms of aptitudes, interests, education, physical activities and other qualifiers. It is used daily by thousands of people to compile, analyze and communicate information about occupations, and to understand the jobs found throughout Canada’s labour market. The structure and content of the NOC are also implemented in a number of major services and products throughout the private and public sectors.
The Canadian National Occupation Classification is also applicable to people applying for immigration to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
The 2011 edition of NOC consists of major revisions that involve in-depth analysis and assessment of the input received through consultations and job studies.
Key revisions include:
- Implementing a unified coding structure based on the NOC Skill Type by Skill Level logic of the Matrix
- Realigning the NOC-S and NOC structures to a common system of 39 major groups
- Expanding certain Skill Types to account for new major groups
- Dividing the middle management group into three major groups and incorporating all management occupations in Skill Level “A”
- Classifying all military occupations in one of the two existing unit groups, specific to the military, consistent with NOC-S coding of military personnel for data purposes
The NOC provides employers and employees with a standardized way of describing and understanding the nature of work
Practically, the National Occupational Classification content can help users develop job descriptions to hire employees, evaluate employee performance and identify training needs.
Yosie Saint-Cyr
First Reference Inc. Human Resources and Compliance Managing Editor
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