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.
0 management occupations
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6 a short demonstration or on-the-job training
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1 university education
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2 community college or apprenticeship training
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3 community college or apprenticeship training
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4 high school diploma and/or job-specific training
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5 high school diploma and/or job-specific training
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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? 1
Task 3:
Find the NOC code for an occupation that interests you. Read the NOC description for this occupation. 2132 Mechanical engineers
- How many Major Groups are listed in this sector? What are they? 21 groups;
211 Physical science professionals
212 Life science professionals
213 Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers
214 Other engineers
215 Architects, urban planners and land surveyors
216 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
217 Computer and information systems professionals
221 Technical occupations in physical sciences
222 Technical occupations in life sciences
223 Technical occupations in civil, mechanical and industrial engineering
224 Technical occupations in electronics and electrical engineering
225 Technical occupations in architecture, drafting, surveying, geomatics and meteorology
226 Other technical inspectors and regulatory officers
227 Transportation officers and controllers
228 Technical occupations in computer and information systems
- What types of occupations are within this Major Group (represented by the three-digit code)?
213 Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers
- Read the example titles in the NOC description. Do you think knowing these titles can be useful in your job search? How?
- Read the main duties in the NOC description. List the duties you think are most relevant to this position.
- Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
Task 4:
Prepare a short presentation for the class about this occupation. Include related job titles, main duties and employment requirements.
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
- project mechanical engineer
Main duties
Mechanical engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
- Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
- Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
- Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
- Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
