Comprehensive Summary of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) System
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada's the primary job classification system , replacing the Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations (CCDO). It categorizes occupations based on job duties, responsibilities, and work performed. The NOC is crucial for labor market analysis, skills development, employment equity, and vocational rehabilitation.
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used by Canadian vocational rehabilitation professionals. It organizes and classifies occupations based on kind of work performed, including tasks, duties, responsibilities, materials used, equipment operated, and complexity levels. The NOC was preceded by the Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations (CCDO).
Structure of the NOC 2011
The NOC system is structured hierarchically into four levelsa four-tiered hierarchical classification system consisting of:
10 Broad Occupational Categories (
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1-digit code)
40 Major Groups (
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2-digit code)
140 Minor Groups (
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3-digit code)
500 Unit Groups (
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4-digit code)
Each digit in the NOC code represents a level, with the first digit indicating one of ten broad occupational categories, and the second digit representing the skill level.occupation is identified by a unique four-digit code. The first digit represents the broad occupational category, while the second digit indicates the skill level. Management occupations (Skill Type 0) span across all sectors, with senior management represented by codes beginning with 00.
Skill Types and Skill Levels
Skill Types (First Digit
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)
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0: Management Occupations
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Management Occupations
Business, Finance, and Administration
Natural and Applied Sciences
Health Occupations
Education, Law, Social, and Government Services
Arts, Culture, Recreation, and Sport
Sales and Service
Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators
Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Production
Manufacturing and Utilities
Skill Levels (Second Digit
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)
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0
-or 1 (Level A): University degree (
Level ABachelor, Master, Doctorate)
2
-or 3 (Level B): Post-secondary education
or apprenticeship (Level B)(College, Technical Institute) or Apprenticeship
4
-or 5
: Some secondary education(Level C): Secondary school and on-the-job training
6
-or 7
: No formal education required(Level D)
Management occupations (Skill Type 0) are classified separately, spanning all industries.
: Short work demonstration, no formal education required
Career Handbook and Work Preference Indicators
The Career Handbook expands on supplements the NOC , adding by providing detailed occupational profiles for subgroups using decimal extensions. It provides information such as:
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Job Titles: Most commonly used titles in Canada
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Profile Summary: Quick occupational overview
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Aptitudes (Based on GATB Test): Ratings from 1 (top 10%) to 5 (bottom 10%) in areas like verbal ability, numerical ability, and motor coordination
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Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI): Categorizes work interests into Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social
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Physical Activities and Environmental Conditions: Vision, hearing, body position, strength, hazards, discomforts
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, breaking down unit groups into subgroups (e.g., 5121.1 Creative Writers, 5121.2 Technical Writers).
The Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI) categorizes occupational interests into:
Directive: Leadership and planning
Innovative: Creativity and problem-solving
Methodical: Structured, routine-based work
Objective: Technical, hands-on work
Social: Interpersonal and caregiving roles
Aptitude Factors
Based on the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB), the NOC uses a scale from 1 (highest ability) to 5 (lowest ability) for the following aptitudes:
General Learning Ability
Verbal Ability
Numerical Ability
Spatial and Form Perception
Clerical Perception
Motor Coordination, Finger Dexterity, and Manual Dexterity
Work and Environmental Factors
Work Elements
Data: Information handling
People: Interpersonal work
Things: Physical and manual tasks
Physical Activities
Vision (Near/Far/Total Visual Field)
Colour Discrimination
Hearing (Limited, Verbal Interaction, Sound Discrimination)
Body Position (Sitting, Walking, Standing)
Strength (Limited to Heavy)
Environmental Conditions and Hazards
Work Location (Regulated/Unregulated Indoors, Outdoors, Vehicle)
Hazards (Chemicals, Machinery, Radiation, Falling Objects, Fire, Dangerous Locations)
Discomforts (Noise, Vibration, Odors, Wetness, Non-toxic Dusts)
Essential Skills Profile (HRSDC)
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Quiz
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The Essential Skills Profile defines nine critical workplace skills:
Reading
Document Use
Writing
Numeracy
Oral Communication
Thinking
Digital Technology
Working with Others
Continuous Learning
These skills are used for curriculum development, career counseling, training programs, and job-seeking strategies.
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Quiz: National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Multiple Choice Questions
What was the predecessor of the NOC? a) Assign salaries to jobs b) Classify occupational information and analyze labor trends c) Replace vocational training programs d) Standardize job applicationsOccupational Dictionary of Canada
b) Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations (CCDO)
c) Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI)
d) General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB)How many broad occupational categories exist in the NOC? a) 5
b) 10
c)
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15
d)
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20
Which digit in the NOC code represents the skill level of an occupation? a)
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First
b)
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Second
c)
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Third
d)
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Fourth
Which skill type covers management occupations? a) 0
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What does the second digit in the NOC code indicate? a) Job location
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The Career Handbook expands the NOC by: a) Providing decimal-based subgroup classifications
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What skill level requires a university degree? a) Level A
b) Level B
c) Level C
d) Level DWhich of the following is NOT
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a Canadian Work Preference Inventory
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category? a) Directive
b)
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Logical
c)
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Social
d) InnovativeWhat
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does the Essential Skills Profile NOT include? a)
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Reading
b)
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Digital Technology
c)
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Musical Ability
d)
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The Essential Skills Profile includes all of the following EXCEPT: a) Writing
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Oral Communication
Which of the following is classified as a Skill Type 0 occupation? a) Teacher
b) Accountant
c) Senior Manager
d) Welder
Answer Key
b) Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations (CCDO)
b) 10
b) Second
a) Level A
ba) Logical
cb) Musical Ability
cc) Senior Manager