Recent changes to the National Occupational Classification

November 01, 2022

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 major revision updates the structural framework of the classification, rendering it more consistent, accurate, and flexible. To this effect, the first major change is the replacement of skill levels with the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories. This new terminology is more precise, as the NOC assesses not the level of skills but the level of training, of formal education, of experience required to gain entry into each occupation, and the responsibilities associated to it.

The second major change revolves around the number of TEER categories. In the new NOC structure, there are six TEER categories, up from the current four skill levels. In the 2016 version of the NOC, “skill level” B contains the most occupations of all skill levels (about 1/3 of all unit groups) and its employment requirements are relatively wide. This change ensures clearer distinctions between the employment requirements associated with each TEER category, leading to a more consistent and homogeneous classification. The new TEER categories are defined as follows:

TEER 0	Management occupations.
TEER 1	Completion of a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate); or Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 2 (when applicable).
TEER 2	Completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or Completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or Occupations with supervisory or significant safety (police officers and firefighters) responsibilities; or Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 3 (when applicable).
TEER 3	Completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or Apprenticeship training of less than 2 years; or More than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school education; or Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 4 (when applicable).
TEER 4	Completion of secondary school; or Several weeks of on-the-job training with some secondary school education; or Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 5 (when applicable).
TEER 5	Short work demonstration and no formal educational requirements.

The third major change is the structural move from a four-tiered to a five-tiered classification system. NOC codes will change from the traditional 4-digit format to a new 5-digit format. This new codification system is more flexible than the previous system and allows for the incorporation of many new unit groups in the future, as needed. It also ensures consistency in the numbering system. The new 5-digit NOC code is defined as follows:

The first digit represents the broad occupational category;
The second digit represents the TEER category;
The first two digits together represent the major group;
The first three digits represent the sub-major group;
The first four digits represent the minor group; and finally
The full five digits represent the unit group or the occupation itself.

Recent changes to the National Occupational Classification

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