Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Statistics Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) all recently indicated that major revisions to the National Occupation Classification are in the works (NOC).
ESDC and Statistic Canada make structural modifications to the system every ten years and content updates every five years as part of the ministries’ ongoing effort to enhance the system.
Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system is being overhauled, with new NOC codes set to be implemented in 2021. The revised NOC codes for 2021 will be implemented in late 2022 and will most likely affect Express Entry and PNP candidates, particularly those with NOC Skill Level B jobs.
Applicants for various Canadian immigration programs must first determine the occupation or NOC code, they work in. Making the right NOC option is, therefore, an important aspect of a successful migration to Canada.
How Are NOC Codes Changing?
The new NOC codes for 2022 include a new classification for each occupation’s TEER category, which refers to the degree of Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER).
Under the prior 2016 NOC, the “TEER Category” will take the place of the “Skill Level” categorization. Instead of being classified as Skill Level A, B, C, or D, jobs will be classed as TEER Category 0-5 under the new NOC codes.
| Current NOC Code – Skill Levels | New NOC Codes – TEER Category |
| TEER Category 0 | |
| Skill Level “A” | TEER Category 1 |
| Skill Level “B” | TEER Category 2 |
| Skill Level “C” | TEER Category 3 |
| Skill Level “D” | TEER Category 4 |
| TEER Category 5 |
What TEER Category Am I?
| TEER Category 0 | Occupations in management |
| TEER Category 1 | A university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate); or several years of TEER category two experience in a given occupation (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 2 | Completion of a two- to the three-year postsecondary education program at a community college, the institution of technology, or CEGEP; or completion of a two to a five-year apprenticeship training program; or occupations having supervisory or major safety duties (police officers and firefighters); or several years of TEER category three experience in a given occupation (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 3 | Completion of a two-year postsecondary education program at a community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; or apprenticeship training that lasts shorter than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training, training courses, or particular professional experience with a high school diploma; or several years of TEER category four experience in a given occupation (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 4 | Secondary school graduation; or several weeks of on-the-job training combined with a high school diploma; or Several years of TEER category five experience in a given occupation (when applicable). |
| TEER Category 5 | There are no formal schooling prerequisites and only a brief job demonstration. |
When are NOC Codes Changing?
NOC Codes will be changing in the second half of 2022 or late 2022 according to the IRCC.
What is My New NOC Code?
NOC Code numbers will be changing from 4 digits to 5 digits. Every code will be changed to a completely new code and some will have different job titles. They will not be used or implemented until late 2022 but you can visit Find Your NOC Code to find your active NOC code.
