Upcoming changes to Express Entry Immigration- NOC System

A significant component of Canada’s immigration procedure is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. Candidates for skilled and temporary foreign workers need to show that the work experience they have satisfies the NOC requirements of the program for which they are applying. For instance, candidates must demonstrate that their work experience falls within NOC skill level O, A, or B as one of the eligibility factors under Express Entry which is the primary method of skilled worker immigration to Canada. 

For skilled workers in Canada, Express Entry provides a route for Permanent residence. The department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada try to balance the need to keep the classification current and the ability to reflect occupational changes over time. They also minimize disruption to statistical coding and time series analysis when determining the frequency of updates and revisions. After the NOC’s 2016 version was published, ESDC and Statistics Canada agreed to update the NOC more frequently as part of continuous improvement. NOC classified skilled worker classes into different groups. The main job groups according to that are:

 1. Skill type O
It involves all those workers who can perform management jobs.

2. Skill level A
These are professional people with degrees from a university.

 3. Skill level B
This class involves workers with technical jobs that usually require a college degree.

 4.Skill level C
This level includes workers with intermediate jobs that typically require specialized training.

5.Skill level D
These are the kinds of labor positions that typically provide on-the-job training.

Implementation of Altered NOC

Together with Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the National Occupational Classification (NOC) undergoes all updates and modifications. The Immigration Department of Canada will implement the 2021 version of NOC on November 16, 2022, as stated on the government website. As a result, certain immigration programs’ eligibility requirements, including express entry, would be altered. The new Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system will be used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to determine who qualifies for work experience following the switch.

Guidelines for Express Entry Immigration Candidates

The IRCC web page offers instructions to Express Entry candidates in the pool and those who have not submitted yet.
Skilled workers must update their profile by November 16, 2022, if they have submitted their profile but have not received an Invitation to Apply (ITA).To begin, they can look through the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website’s NOC 2021 list. After that, they are supposed to add their TEER Category and five-digit occupation code to the profile. To be accepted into the pool, applicants must complete an Express Entry profile and meet the minimum requirements. On the Federal Skilled Worker grid, you must earn a minimum of 67 points out of 100 to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker stream.

TEER Categories

The new NOC system will recognize jobs according to Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER), not skill levels. The new terminology is more precise and accurate. The NOC evaluates not only the level of skills but also the level of formal education, training, experience, and responsibilities required to enter each occupation. The new NOC structure adds six TEER categories to the current four skill levels. According to the NOC’s 2016 version, “skill level” B has relatively broad employment requirements and contains the most occupations of all skill levels (approximately 1/3 of all unit groups). This modification ensures that the employment requirements for each TEER category are distinguished more clearly. As a result, the classification becomes more consistent and uniform. Another change is the structural shift in the classification system’s tier system from four to five levels is another change. The new 5-digit format for NOC codes will replace the current 4-digit format. Compared to the previous system, this one is more adaptable and allows for adding of numerous new unit groups as needed. Additionally, it ensures uniformity in the naming convention.