Before we look into the best tips to find your NOC, let’s look at what the NOC does. We use the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to assess:
- Your work experience
- Employment requirements
- Job offers
Understanding different NOC categories can confuse you, especially when you do not understand the different categories.
The NOC is an important aspect of most of the economic immigration programs in Canada, including the Express Entry pathways. The best tip to finding your NOC rapidly is to understand the NOC system and break down your NOC profile into key parts.
The IRCC is introducing new NOC codes in 2021 that will be implemented in late 2022. These new codes are likely to affect the PNP and Express Entry applications, especially if your occupations fall under the NOC Skill Level B and C.
Since there are six TEER Categories compared to the four skill level categories, the occupations listed in the NOC Skill Level “B” will be re-categorized and redistributed. Some occupations will be moving into TEER Category 2 and others will be moving into TEER Category 3.
If you want more information about the NOC codes and how to find your NOC code, keep reading!
How Are NOC Codes And Levels Organized?
The IRCC developed the NOC system to classify and categorize every possible occupation available in Canada. Along with classifying the occupations, the NOC system has a list of information for each occupation, including:
- Job titles
- Duties and responsibilities for the occupation
- Training or education requirements for t occupation
Each occupation has a specific five-digit code that is called the NOC code. Different Canadian organizations and industries will also use NOC codes in their development of recruitment strategies.
Besides, the NOC codes can be used during research and analysis, and obviously, in Canadian immigration. Some immigration programs in Canada target certain NOC skill levels to allow prospective immigrants with relevant work experience to apply for their PR. So, it is important to find your NOC code and remember it. A common example is the three pathways under the umbrella of Express Entry. These are the:
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
These pathways will only accept and process applications from those with “skilled work experience.”
TEER Category 0
This is the highest skill level with jobs including management positions across all sectors and industries. The characteristics of this level are:
- skilled work
- management positions in all sectors and industries. Examples: Chief Executive Officers, Managers, Engineering Managers, Restaurant Managers.
TEER Category 1
It is the second-highest Skill level and includes professional occupations that require a university degree (Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate). The features of this level are:
- Skilled Work
- Any professional occupation needing a degree from a university. Examples: doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers
- Several years of experience in any occupations from TEER Category 2
TEER Category 2
This level includes the completion of a tertiary program of 2-3 years in a community college, CÉGEP, or Institute of Technology. The attributes of this level are:
- considered as skilled work
- completion of an apprenticeship training program of 2-5 years
- supervisory or significant authoritative position for safety (firefighters, police officers)
- Several years of experience in any occupation from TEER 3
TEER Category 3
At this level, you are not eligible for skilled worker immigration pathways that fall under the Express Entry programs. The features of this level are:
- intermediate-skilled work and is NOT eligible for Express Entry classes
- completion of a tertiary program in less than 2 years at a community college, CÉGEP, or Institute of Technology
- more than 6 months of on-job training, training courses
- work experience in a secondary school education
- several years of experience in any occupation from TEER 4
TEER Category 4
This level is also not eligible for skilled worker programs, including the Express Entry Classes. The characteristics of this level are:
- low-skilled work and is NOT eligible for Express Entry Classes
- completion of secondary school
- several weeks of on-the-job training and some secondary school education
- Several years of experience in any occupation from TEER 5
TEER Category 5
This level is for people who engage in short work that require no formal educational background. Example: cleaners and fruit pickers.
For the IRCC, skilled work experience is equal to your work experience that falls under TEER 0, 1, and 2. In contrast, they consider TEER 3, 4, and 5 to be intermediate or low-skilled work experience, respectively. With the updated version, you must find your NOC code to ensure that your application is correct and complete.
NOC Code Search Tool
Another tip is to use the NOC Code Finder tool on our website.
We have designed an easy-to-use and intuitive NOC code search tool that helps you get a broad idea of what skill level you fall under based on your job title. In the meantime, the tool will follow the 2016 NOC codes until the new 2021 NOC codes are implemented in late 2022.
You can choose to search by job title or by NOC hierarchy. The search tool also provides an in-depth description of the job duties and responsibilities along with its relevant skill level category.
The tool also tells you if the job is Skilled Work experience. The search tool will give you other similar job titles to ensure that you are choosing the accurate job title for your experience. If you are still unsure about the results, our consultants are just one phone call away to answer all your questions!
Classifying Canadian Work Experience With LMIA
A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a legal document provided by your Canadian employer that they may require to be able to hire you. This assessment will confirm if you need to take the job, as there are no Canadian workers or permanent residents available for the occupation. A positive LMIA is also often referred to as a confirmation letter.
Therefore, the start of your application will depend on whether you are working in Canada under a positive LMIA with a work permit. If this applies to you, your LMIA confirmation will have the NOC code assigned to it.
Generally, the NOC code on your LMIA will be equivalent to the 2016 NOC database. However, if you are still unsure, you can use our NOC code finder tool to clear up your doubts!
Classifying Work Experience Without LMIA
If you are not currently working in Canada, the start of your application process will be different. Since you do not know what the correct NOC code is for your job title, we recommend that you use the NOC code finder tool and contact one of our consultants to help you answer your queries. All you need to use our tool is your job title. There will be other similar jobs listed in the tool that you can also check out.
Broadening your research and understanding will help you find the correct NOC code for your application. Reading the description under each occupation will also guide you in narrowing down which NOC code applies to you.
There is no need to panic if you don’t have an LMIA as there are LMIA-exempt job offers that are accepted in the Express Entry pathways. The three main categories for LMIA-exempt jobs are:
- International trade agreements exemptions, for example, NAFTA
- Agreements between the Canadian federal government and provincial governments
- “Canadian interests” exemptions, for example, an intra-company transfer
If you want further details on LMIA exemptions, you can contact our consultants, who will provide an in-depth explanation and guide you throughout the whole process.
Employment Requirements For Express Entry
Currently, since the 2016 NOC codes are still being used, the employment requirements will be focused on this database. For Express Entry pathways, you will require a job offer to increase your CRS score.
However, the number of CRS points that you obtain will depend on the NOC code for your job offer. 50 points are awarded for jobs falling under the NOC skill level 0, A, or B, and 200 points for upper management positions.
- 50 points: Any skilled work job offered under NOC Skill levels 0, A, or B
- 200 points: only job offers with NOC codes beginning with “00”
If you do not have a job offer already, there are several ways to search for a Canadian job. Yet, before looking for job offers, you need to be prepared for the Canadian job application process. These include:
- Format your resume or CV according to Canadian standards.
- Write a cover letter
- Network with other professionals on LinkedIn
However, you should be careful of scammers who promise fake employment. No legitimate employer will ask you to pay for a job offer, and it is illegal to ask you to pay for immigration fees related to your employment offer.
If ever you are concerned about the genuineness of your job offer, please consult our immigration experts, who will immediately advise you on what to do.
