National Occupational Classification
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system of organizing information about occupations in Canada. Every occupation in Canada has a NOC job description, which provides listings of the main duties, employment requirements and job titles. These descriptions are identified by a four-digit code called the NOC code.
Knowing the NOC code for the job you are interested in can make online research easier and quicker. This is because many job search services organize their job listings and occupation information by the NOC code. Here’s how the NOC code works:
• The first number identifies the sector. There are 10 sectors in total (0–9). For example, 0 refers to management occupations, while 6 refers to sales and service occupations.
• The second number refers to the level of education or training the job requires (1–6). Generally:
1 requires a university education
2 or 3 requires a community college or apprenticeship training
4 or 5 requires a high school diploma and/or job-specific training
6 usually requires a short demonstration or on-the-job training
• The third and fourth numbers refer to specific occupations within the sector.
In the example on the right, the 2 refers to the sector Natural and Applied Sciences; the 1 means it generally requires a university degree; together, the code 2146 is the code specific to aerospace engineers. Because the NOC groups occupations that are similar to each other, it is easy to find information about occupations that are related to your occupation of choice. This can be useful if you cannot find a job in your occupation and want to broaden your job search.
Task 1:
List the 10 sectors that the first digit of the NOC code refers to. In small groups, brainstorm three occupations for each sector.
401 University professors and post-secondary assistants
402 College and other vocational instructors
Task 2:
Think of an occupation you would like to enter in Canada (either as a survival job, or in the occupation you are trained for). Which of the above sectors is this occupation in?
College and other vocational instructors
Task 3:
Find the NOC code for an occupation that interests you. Read the NOC description for this occupation.
- How many Major Groups are listed in this sector? What are they? 5,
Major Group 40
Professional occupations in education services Professional occupations in law and social, community and government services
Major Group 41
Professional occupations in law and social, community and government services
Major Group 42
Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services
Major Group 43
Occupations in front-line public protection services
Major Group 44
Care providers and educational, legal and public protection support occupations
- What types of occupations are within this Major Group (represented by the three-digit code)
401 University professors and post-secondary assistants402 College and other vocational instructors 403 Secondary and elementary school teachers and educational counsellors
- Read the example titles in the NOC description. Do you think knowing these titles can be useful in your job search? How? It can be used in linked-in to search job.
- Read the main duties in the NOC description. List the duties you think are most relevant to this position.
Teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, demonstrations, discussion groups, case studies, field assignments and independent or group projects
- Develop curriculum and prepare teaching materials and outlines for courses
- Prepare, administer and mark tests and papers to evaluate students' progress
- Advise students on program curricula and career decisions
- Provide individualized tutorial or remedial instruction to students who require it
- Supervise independent or group projects, field placements, laboratory work or hands-on training
Task 4:
Prepare a short presentation for the class about this occupation. Include related job titles, main duties and employment requirements.
college teacher/instructor
- advertising art teacher
- applied arts teacher – college level
- English as a second language teacher (ESL) – college level
- fashion design teacher – CEGEP
- fine arts teacher – college level
- graphic arts teacher
- graphic design instructor
- interior design teacher
adult high school teacher
public or privite college teacher
Main duties
College and other vocational instructors perform some or all of the following duties:
- Teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, demonstrations, discussion groups, laboratory work, shop sessions, seminars, case studies, field assignments and independent or group projects
- Develop curriculum and prepare teaching materials and outlines for courses
- Prepare, administer and mark tests and papers to evaluate students' progress
- Advise students on program curricula and career decisions
- Provide individualized tutorial or remedial instruction to students who require it
- Supervise independent or group projects, field placements, laboratory work or hands-on training
- Supervise teaching assistants
These instructors specialize in particular fields or areas of study such as visual arts, dental hygiene, welding, engineering technology, policing, computer software, management and early childhood education.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree, a college diploma or demonstrated expertise in the field of instruction is required.
- A master's degree in the field of instruction may be required.
- A certificate, diploma or degree in adult education may be required.
- Additional courses in teaching or a provincial teaching certificate may be required.
