What Are NOC Codes, Anyway?
In the first meeting we had with our team, I expressed how excited I was about researching NOC Codes. A few of the people said “you might be the first person ever to be excited about NOC codes”. That’s when I realized I was in for a journey or a mundane task some might say.
The first thing I ever learned about the NOC Codes was that it stands for National Occupational Classification and it was updated in 2021.
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Upon researching them, NOC Codes are extremely important for categorizing careers using the five digit structure based on the TEER. These are then used to determine the demands in different fields, immigration eligibility, and validate skilled work experience. This is when I came to the realization, the NOC codes themselves are actually just numbers.
An important thing to know is TEER, which stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. This was created to identify which careers required training and/or schooling.
The Structure of NOC Codes
NOC Codes work to categorize every single job in the country. Each occupation gets a unique five digit code that describes its different categories. These categories differ based on which number you are on.
What helped me was thinking of these different layers of the five unique numbers as a family tree. The first digit is the most broad category for example Business = 1. After that it gets increasingly specific as each number goes on. The first two digits describe the major group. The major group is the second level where you are identified by the required training and education. As you go onto all five digits, it gets to the actual specific group or job.
So, Why Should We Even Care?
NOC Codes aren’t just for researchers or data scientists although they are very needed in those fields. They can be an amazing source of knowledge and discovery for anyone. They can be a career search engine.
I have found super interesting and niche jobs that I would have never discovered such as worm picker packer where you literally pick and pack worms.
In addition, these NOC Codes provide a great insight into the training or education you need to enter the workforce for the job you are interested it. For any job, the NOC Codes gives you a great overview into the industry.
If you take a look at the picture, it shows the different kinds of engineers. Notice how the numbers start the same but as you get more specific they change. This is because certain kinds of engineers work in certain fields. For example an Aerospace Engineer and a Computer Engineer are two completely different industries and the NOC Codes acknowledge that in their five unique numbers.
Something surprising I found out while researching was how the NOC had a “fight” with the Truck Driving industry because they wouldn’t upgrade them from Skill Level C to B. The Canadian Tracking Alliance was mad and they obviously believed they shouldn’t be in the same level as burger flippers. All of this to say, I found the interesting parts of the NOC Codes and it was how important they are to the Canadian System.
Well, Won’t the Data be Outdated?
The best thing about NOC Codes is that they get updated every give years which means you get the most recent data that will reflect the changes in the job market.
This is a career-planning and research hub that allows young people to discover careers and learn about interesting NOC Codes.
Now, I can confidently say, how exciting it is to learn about NOC Codes.
