Notice of release of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

Update and revision process

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada work collaboratively to complete National Occupational Classification (NOC) updates and revisions. Historically, the departments undertook content updates every five years and structural revisions every ten years.

To establish the frequency of updates or revisions, the departments strive to reconcile the need to keep the taxonomy up-to-date with the ability to reflect occupational changes over time, while minimizing disruption to statistical coding and time series analysis. As part of continuous improvement, ESDC and Statistics Canada decided to update the NOC on a more frequent basis. Structural revisions, however, will remain on a ten year cycle.

Acknowledgments

ESDC and Statistics Canada would like to thank everyone who submitted proposals for changes as part of the NOC 2016 update. These proposals are important as they help ensure the consistency, accuracy and relevance of the classification.

Background

In May 2017, ESDC and Statistics Canada invited NOC users to submit proposals for changes to the NOC. The objective of the consultation process was to collect input for the NOC 2016 update and fuel research in preparation for the NOC 2021 revision.

Summary of changes

ESDC and Statistics Canada reviewed the proposed changes that were submitted. Structural changes have not been included in this update; these will be taken into account as part of the NOC 2021 revision.

The following tables list the changes made as part of this update:

Next steps

Research to improve the NOC is ongoing. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada will undertake another round of consultations shortly and details regarding the consultation process will be posted on this website.