NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION

 NOC skill level criteria - education/training and other criteria

Skill level A

University degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate)

Skill level B

Two to Five years of post-secondary education at community college, institute of technology or apprenticeship training/

Three to four years of secondary school and more than two years of on-the-job training, occupation-specific training courses or specific work experience

Skill level C

Completion of secondary school and some short-duration courses or training specific to the occupation or specific work experience
Skill level D

Short work demonstration or on-the-job training
or

No formal educational requirements

Skill level is referenced in the code for all occupations with the exception of management occupations.  Skill levels are identified as follows:

level A – 0 or 1;  level B – 2 or 3;  level C – 4 or 5;  and level D – 6 or 7.

Skill type is defined as the type of work performed, although other factors related to skill type are also reflected in the NOC. 

There are 10 skill types, 0 to 9,

0. Management occupations

These occupations are at the top of the organizational hierarchy of workplaces or businesses. Decision-making that affects the organization, or departments within organizations, is undertaken by management. .

1. Business, finance and administration occupations

This category contains occupations that are concerned with providing financial and business services, administrative and regulatory services and clerical supervision and support services. 

2. Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

This category contains professional and technical occupations in the sciences, including physical and life sciences, engineering, architecture, and information technology. Occupations in this skill type category require post-secondary education in an appropriate scientific discipline. 

3. Health occupations

This category includes occupations concerned with providing health care services directly to patients and occupations that provide support to professional and technical staff

4. Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

This skill type category includes a range of occupations that are concerned with law, teaching, counselling, conducting social science research, developing government policy, and administering government and other programs.

5. Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport

This skill type category includes professional and technical occupations related to art and culture, including the performing arts, film and video, broadcasting, journalism, writing, creative design, libraries and museums.

6. Sales and service occupations

This skill type category contains sales occupations, personal and protective service occupations and occupations related to the hospitality and tourism industries. 

7. Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

This skill type category includes construction and mechanical trades, trades supervisors and contractors and operators of transportation and heavy equipment. 

8. Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations

This category contains supervisory and equipment operation occupations in the natural resource-based sectors of mining, oil and gas production, forestry and logging, agriculture, horticulture, and fishing.

9. Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

This category contains supervisory and production occupations in manufacturing, processing and utilities.