New NOC 2021 Will Affect Canada Express Entry Eligibility

Following new changes in occupation-based immigration in Canada, 16 new occupations will be added as a part of Canada Express Entry eligibility. Presently, all occupational eligibility under Canadian temporary and permanent residency programs is done as per NOC 2016. It classifies occupations using skill levels. However, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are mandated to switch to the new Canada NOC 2021 which is based on academic and work experience.

Following the change in classifying occupations under the NOC system, any immigration aspirant with work experience in the following can also enter the Express Entry pool and stand a chance to obtain Canadian permanent residency.

• Payroll administrators;
• Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants;
• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates;
• Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants;
• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants;
• Sheriffs and bailiffs;
• Correctional service officers;
• By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers;
• Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations;
• Residential and commercial installers and servicers;
• Pest controllers and fumigators;
• Other repairers and services;
• Transport truck drivers;
• Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators;
• Heavy equipment operators; and
• Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors.

You can use this Statistics Canada tool to see how your current NOC corresponds with the new Canada NOC 2021.

About the New Canada NOC 2021

Canada will introduce the new occupation classification in November 2022.

Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expected to align the new NOC rollout with the department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure consistency of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for work permits.

This ensures that foreign immigrants who specialize in emerging fields like data science, cyber security, and others get adequate opportunities to work & settle in Canada.

TEER system to replace NOC skill levels by November 2022

Presently, Canada uses NOC skills levels updated last in 2016. It classifies all occupations in Canada into four categories:

• NOC 0: Skill type 0 jobs are usually managerial in nature;
• NOC A: Skill type A jobs are professional in nature and usually require a university degree; or
• NOC B: Skill type B jobs are skilled trades occupations that usually require a college diploma or training as an apprentice.
• NOC C & D: Jobs include semi- and low-skilled workers in the trades, primary and manufacturing industries, sales and services, as well as certain clerical and assistant categories

Canada NOC 2021 introduces a new system of skill classification which will be based on the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system.

Statistics Canada explains the rationale behind the new TEER system:

1. Focus on the education and experience required to work in a given occupation.
2. Accurately capture the skills required in each occupation.

The new TEER system classifies all occupations into six categories: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Take this free Express Entry assessment to determine your eligibility.

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