6.1 National Occupation Classification (NOC)

Comprehensive Summary of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the primary job classification system 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 is a four-tiered hierarchical classification system consisting of:

• 10 Broad Occupational Categories (1-digit code)

• 40 Major Groups (2-digit code)

• 140 Minor Groups (3-digit code)

• 500 Unit Groups (4-digit code)

Each 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)

1. Management Occupations

2. Business, Finance, and Administration

3. Natural and Applied Sciences

4. Health Occupations

5. Education, Law, Social, and Government Services

6. Arts, Culture, Recreation, and Sport

7. Sales and Service

8. Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators

9. Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Production

10. Manufacturing and Utilities

Skill Levels (Second Digit)

• 0 or 1 (Level A): University degree (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate)

• 2 or 3 (Level B): Post-secondary education (College, Technical Institute) or Apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 (Level C): Secondary school and on-the-job training

• 6 or 7 (Level D): Short work demonstration, no formal education required

Career Handbook and Work Preference Indicators

The Career Handbook supplements the NOC by providing detailed occupational profiles, 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)

The Essential Skills Profile defines nine critical workplace skills:

1. Reading

2. Document Use

3. Writing

4. Numeracy

5. Oral Communication

6. Thinking

7. Digital Technology

8. Working with Others

9. Continuous Learning

These skills are used for curriculum development, career counseling, training programs, and job-seeking strategies.

Quiz: National Occupational Classification (NOC)

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the predecessor of the NOC? a) Occupational Dictionary of Canada
   b) Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations (CCDO)
   c) Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI)
   d) General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB)

2. How many broad occupational categories exist in the NOC? a) 5
   b) 10
   c) 15
   d) 20

3. Which digit in the NOC code represents the skill level of an occupation? a) First
   b) Second
   c) Third
   d) Fourth

4. What skill level requires a university degree? a) Level A
   b) Level B
   c) Level C
   d) Level D

5. Which of the following is NOT a Canadian Work Preference Inventory category? a) Directive
   b) Logical
   c) Social
   d) Innovative

6. What does the Essential Skills Profile NOT include? a) Reading
   b) Digital Technology
   c) Musical Ability
   d) Oral Communication

7. Which of the following is classified as a Skill Type 0 occupation? a) Teacher
   b) Accountant
   c) Senior Manager
   d) Welder

Answer Key

1. b) Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations (CCDO)

2. b) 10

3. b) Second

4. a) Level A

5. b) Logical

6. c) Musical Ability

7. c) Senior Manager