National Occupational Classification (NOC)
The NOC provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians and serves as a framework to:
- define and collecting statistics
- manage information databases
- analyze labour market trends
- extract practical career planning information
Using a standard way of organizing occupational information, the NOC supports various career information resources, such as:
- the occupational outlooks
- the national Job Bank listing of jobs available across Canada
The basic principle of classification of the NOC is the kind of work performed. It represents the main source of information for identifying and grouping occupations.
NOC users include:
- economists and statisticians
- researchers
- career developers
- counsellors
- students
- immigrants
- job seekers
ESDC, in partnership with Statistics Canada, update the NOC on an ongoing basis. The objective of revisions is to ensure that the information of the NOC is accurate and current.
Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS)
The Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS) is a database linking skills and other characteristics to occupations. The goal of the OaSIS is to provide meaningful information that helps people make informed decisions related to their career, jobs and educational programs.
The OaSIS is based on the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). It offers information on 900 occupational profiles. The OaSIS provides a comprehensive framework of worker characteristics and work environment, based on the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy. Each occupational profile in the OaSIS includes information on:
- skills
- knowledge
- abilities
- personal attributes
- interests
- work activities
- work context
- main duties
- workplaces/employers
The OaSIS also include a Skills Match tool that offer the user the possibility to see occupations that are closely related in term of skills and abilities to a specific occupation.
Note: The Career Handbook - third edition - is still available on the website, and its content is based on the 2016 version of the NOC.