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.

Locate the NOC website (www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC). 

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	6 - Sales and Services occupations
1 -  Business, Finance and Administration	7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators
2 -  Natural and applied Sciences	8 - Natural resources, agricultures and related  occupations
3- Health occupations	9- Manufacturing and utilities occupations
4- Education, law and Social, Government Services
5- Art, recreation, culture and sport occupations

Sector 0

Legislator

Financial manager

Investment manager

Sector 1

Financial and investment Analyst

Financial officer

Investment dealer and broker

Sector 2

Physicist

Chemist

Biologist

Sector 3

Dentist

Registered nurses

Veterinarian

Sector 4

University professor

Educational counselor

Elementary school

Sector 5

Editors

Journalists

Librarians

Sector 6

Insurances agents

Financial sales representative

Costumers services

Sector 7

Machinist

Electrician

Plumber

Sector 8

Testers

Logging and forestry

mining and quarrying

Sector 9

Plastic and rudder products

textile

fabric

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?

1112 Financial and investment analysts

Sector 1

Financial and investment analysts collect and analyze financial information such as economic forecasts, trading volumes and the movement of capital, financial backgrounds of companies, historical performances and future trends of stocks, bonds and other investment instruments to provide financial and investment or financing advice for their company or their company's clients. Their studies and evaluations cover areas such as takeover bids, private placements, mergers or acquisitions. Financial analysts are employed by a wide range of establishments throughout the private and public sector, such as banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies, investment companies, manufacturing firms, trust companies, utility companies and underwriting firms. Investment analysts are employed primarily by brokerage houses and fund management companies.

Task 3:

Find the NOC code for an occupation that interests you. Read the NOC description for this occupation.       

The NOC code 1112 for this occupation interests.

Description

Main duties

Financial analysts perform some or all of the following duties:

• Evaluate financial risk, prepare financial forecasts, financing scenarios and other documents concerning capital management, and write reports and recommendations
• Plan short- and long-term cash flows and assess financial performance
• Analyze investment projects
• Advise on and participate in the financial aspects of contracts and calls for tender
• Follow up on financing projects with financial backers
• Develop, implement and use tools for managing and analyzing financial portfolio
• Prepare a regular risk profile for debt portfolios
• Assist in preparing operating and investment budgets.

Investment analysts perform some or all of the following duties:
• Collect financial and investment information about companies, stocks, bonds and other investments using daily stock and bond reports, economic forecasts, trading volumes, financial periodicals, securities manuals, company financial statements and other financial reports and publications
• Examine and analyze financial and investment information collected, including profiles of companies, stock and bond prices, yields and future trends and other investment information
• Provide investment advice and recommendations to clients, senior company officials, pension fund managers, securities agents and associates
• Prepare company, industry and economic outlooks, analytical reports, briefing notes and correspondence.

1. How many Major Groups are listed in this sector? What are they?   Major Group 11, Group 12, Group 13,Group 14,
2. What types of occupations are within this Major Group (represented by the three-digit code)?
3. Read the example titles in the NOC description. Do you think knowing these titles can be useful in your job search? How?
4. Read the main duties in the NOC description. List the duties you think are most relevant to this position.

Task 4:

Prepare a short presentation for the class about this occupation. Include related job titles, main duties and employment requirements.