Canada’s New NOC and its effect on Express Entry

The Canadian Government has decided to transition from NOC (National Occupational Classification) 2016 to NOC 2021. It will come into effect by November 2022.

The overhaul of the NOC system makes 16 new occupations eligible for the Express Entry while three have become ineligible.

National Occupation Classification (NOC):

It is a system used by Canada to determine the level of skill and education essential for an occupation or career in Canada.

For immigration, NOC codes classify occupations as skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled. For instance, Immigration to Canada under one of the federal economic programs requires candidates to have work experience to become eligible for a skilled job.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) currently uses NOC 2016 to determine eligibility under its various temporary and permanent residency programs.

NOC Categories 2016:

• NOC A: Jobs that require university degrees
• NOC B: Jobs in skilled trades that require a college diploma
• NOC C: Jobs that require intermediate skills or job-specific training
• NOC D: Labour jobs that require on-the-job training

NOC TEERS 2021:

In NOC 2021, the structure has been replaced by a six-category system. The new system outlines the level of Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) required to enter each occupation.

• TEER 0: Management Occupations
• TEER 1: Completion of a university degree; or several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 2
• TEER 2: Completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, etc.
• TEER 3: Completion of a post-secondary education program of fewer than two years at community college, etc.
• TEER 4: Completion of secondary school; or Several weeks of on-the-job training with some secondary school education.
• TEER 5: Short work demonstration and no formal educational requirements.

According to the ministerial memorandum, 16 occupations will be eligible for Express Entry, while three will become ineligible.

The occupations that will be added to the NOC 2022:

• Payroll administrators
• Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
• Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
• Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
• Sheriffs and bailiffs
• Correctional service officers
• By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
• Estheticians, electrologists, and related occupations
• Residential and commercial installers and servicers
• Pest controllers and fumigators
• Other repairers and servicers
• Transport truck drivers
• Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators
• Heavy equipment operators
• Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors.

The three occupations that failed to make it to the final list are:

• Other performers
• Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness
• Tailors, dressmakers, furriers, and milliners.

However, these will remain eligible for programs with broader occupational eligibility criteria, such as the Provincial Nominee Program.

Express Entry System:

Express Entry is a point-based Canadian immigration regulatory system developed by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2015. With this system, the government of Canada manages skilled worker applications who wish to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.

Applicants with the highest points receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for PR (Permanent Residency) in Canada.

The new NOC system will impact the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) as it takes into account levels of education, work experience, etc. This, in turn, will impact the pool of immigrants that are selected through Express Entry.

If you’re eligible under NOC 2021 and looking forward to immigrating via Express Entry Program, reach out to Servica and make your journey hassle-free!