Work in the New Economy

The National Occupational Classification (NOC)

The advanced classification system called the National Occupational Classification (NOC), developed by Human Resources Development Canada, classifies and describes occupations in the Canadian labour market. NOC is based on several years of extensive occupational research and analysis. It presents a structural context for the Canadian labour market, reflecting occupational changes that have taken place over the last two decades in terms of evolving main duties, changing requirements, changing demographics and new legislation. Occupations are classified into 522 groups, to which over 25,000 job titles are assigned.

Most classification systems have grouped occupations by the type of work performed (i.e., the skill type). NOC has combined this criterion with the type and length of education and training required to perform the job (i.e., the skill level). NOC provides an improved ability to collect, analyze and communicate occupational statistics and information. This more accurate information is important for occupational supply and demand analysis, human resources planning, employment equity and the provision of labour market information. NOC can also be used for graduate employment surveys or in occupational research. Career planning and vocational rehabilitation are also applications of this tool. COPS uses the NOC classifications in its projections.

Information organized by occupational grouping is often depicted in statistical summaries as well as charts and graphs such as the graphs in section D of this chapter.

The Structure of the NOC NOC involves three tiers hierarchically arranged. 26 Major Groups: Each group has a unique, two-digit numeric code and is composed of one or more minor groups. See Appendix D for a complete list of the major groups. 139 Minor Groups: Each minor group has a unique, three-digit numeric code and is composed of one or more unit groups. The first two digits of this code indicate the major group to which the minor group belongs. 522 Unit Groups: Each unit group has a unique, four-digit code. The first three digits indicate the minor and major groups to which it belongs. In order to see how groups are related and to locate them quickly, the two criteria for forming the groups have been combined into a table with 10 broad skill-type categories across the top and four broad skill levels down the side. This matrix is available as a poster with the NOC binder. The Skill Types are: 0 Management Occupations 1 Business, Finance and Administration Occupations 2 Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations 3 Health Occupations 4 Occupations in Social Science, Education, Government Service and Religion 5 Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport 6 Sales and Service Occupations 7 Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations 8 Occupations Unique to Primary Industry 9 Occupations Unique to Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities. Each skill type has four potential levels of skill into which occupations are classified. The Skill Levels are: Skill Level A University education Skill Level B College-level education including trade apprenticeships Skill Level C Secondary school plus a period of job-specific training Skill Level D Short work demonstration (up to two years of secondary school required).

Table 5: National Occupation and
Classification Matrix

Table 6: Six Indicators used
in the Career Handbook

Career Information Version of NOC: the Career Handbook

Of interest to guidance and career counsellors is the Career Handbook, a stand-alone counselling handbook compatible with the NOC structure. It provides a profile for all NOC groups in the form of ratings on several descriptor scales, the main characteristics of each group or sub-group, information on occupational options (transferability or progression into management), employer/workplace and identification of related occupations.

An introduction and user's guide contains a section devoted to the definition of each indicator level and an explanation of how the indicators relate to the sub-groups within different unit groups. A key or synopsis of factors is provided for easy reference.