Everything you Need to Know About the NOC 2021 Version 1.0
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada’s national system for describing occupations. Every ten years, the NOC undergoes a major structural revision. The objective is to check that the framework of the Classification and the existing occupational groups are still working. Moreover, the NOC 2021 is the result of this major revision cycle.
On September 21st 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada released the new NOC 2021 for data collection purposes. However, the NOC 2021 will be implemented in late 2022 as the data becomes available. This will also provide organizations and programs with enough time to make a transition from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021.
If you do not know what the function of the ESDC is, you can read more about it in this article.
Changes in the NOC:
- According to Canada.ca, the new NOC 2021 includes changes such as the addition, aggregation/merging, and splitting of unit groups. It also recognizes certain groups across broad categories.
- Overhauls the current four-category NOC “Skill level” structure. It introduces a new six-category system representing the level of Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) required for entry into an occupation.

- Adopts a five-tiered hierarchical arrangement of occupational groups with successive levels of disaggregation containing broad occupational categories, major groups, sub-major groups, minor groups, and unit groups.

- Introduces a brand new five-digit codification system to replace the current four-digit system.

Of course these are just some of the major changes, if you want to review all the information related to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, please visit the Government’s website.
You can also search your job title in new NOC 2021, here.
Future Applicants
We have to wait for the implementation of this new NOC system (in late 2022) to see how it will affect programs and services such as immigrating to Canada, labour market information, job searches, and working in Canada.
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Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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