Hierarchy and structure

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is based on the NOC 2011 four-tiered hierarchical structure. The first level contains 10 broad occupational categories, the second level is made up of 40 major groups, the third level consists of 140 minor groups, and the last level comprises 500 unit groups.

The hierarchy and structure presented below allows you to drill down from one of the broad occupational categories to its associated unit groups and access the profile page of a unit group.

It is possible to select a previous version of the classification (NOC 2006 and 2011) as well as the newly released version (NOC 2021). Please note that the NOC 2021 has been released for data collection purposes but will only be used by ESDC in late 2022.

Structure breakdown – NOC 2021 Version 1.0

1 Business, finance and administration occupations
14 Administrative and financial support and supply chain logistics occupations
144 Supply chain logistics, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations
1440 Supply chain logistics, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations
14400Shippers and receivers

Shippers and receivers ship, receive and record the movement of parts, supplies, materials, equipment and stock to and from an establishment. They are employed in the public sector and by retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturing companies, and other commercial and industrial establishments.

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14401Storekeepers and partspersons

Storekeepers and partspersons sort, store and issue parts and supplies for use by the establishment in which they work and for sale to the public. They are employed by manufacturing companies, warehouses, retail and wholesale establishments, mining, forestry and construction companies, repair shops, hospitals and other establishments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

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14402Production logistics workers

Production logistics workers expedite the flow of work and materials within an establishment and prepare merchandise ready for shipment. They are employed by manufacturing and construction companies, printing and publishing companies and other industrial establishments.

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14403Purchasing and inventory control workers

Purchasing and inventory control workers process purchasing transactions and maintain inventories of materials, equipment and stock. They are employed by retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturing companies, government agencies and other establishments.

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14404Dispatchers

Dispatchers operate radios and other telecommunication equipment to dispatch emergency vehicles and to coordinate the activities of drivers and other personnel. They are employed by police, fire and health departments, other emergency service agencies, taxi, delivery and courier services, trucking and utilities companies, and other commercial and industrial establishments.

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14405Transportation route and crew schedulers

Transportation route and crew schedulers prepare operational and crew schedules for transportation equipment and operating personnel. They are employed by municipal transit commissions, truck, delivery and courier companies, railways, airlines and by other transportation establishments in both the private and public sectors.

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4 Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
44 Care providers and public protection support occupations
441 Home care provider occupations
4410 Home care provider occupations
44100Home child care providers

Home child care providers care for children on an ongoing or short-term basis. They care for the well-being and physical and social development of children, assist parents with child care and may assist with household duties. They provide care primarily in their own homes or in the children's homes, where they may also reside. They are employed by private households and child-care agencies, or they may be self-employed.

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44101Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations

Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations, provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities and convalescent clients. They provide care in the client's residence, where they may also reside. They are employed by home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed.

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442 Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces
4420 Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces
44200Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces

Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces provide collective defence measures to protect Canadian waters, land, air space and other interests. They conduct raids and ambushes in combat missions and conduct patrols and escorts in security and stability missions. They also follow the military and strategic policies established by the leadership of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Airforce and the Royal Canadian Navy.

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6 Sales and service occupations
64 Sales and service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations
644 Occupations in customer, information and protective services
6440 Customer and information services representatives
64400Customer services representatives - financial institutions

Customer service representatives in financial institutions process customers' financial transactions and provide information on related banking products and services. They are employed by banks, trust companies, credit unions and similar financial institutions.

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64401Postal services representatives

Postal services representatives serve customers and record transactions at sales counters and postal wickets. They maintain inventory and order supplies in post offices and internal mail rooms. They are employed by Canada Post Corporation, courier and parcel express companies and establishments throughout the public and private sectors.

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64409Other customer and information services representatives

Other customer and information services representatives answer enquiries, provide information regarding an establishment's goods, services and policies and provide customer services such as receiving payments and processing requests for services. They are employed by retail establishments, contact centres, insurance, telecommunications and utility companies and other establishments throughout the private and public sectors.

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6441 Security guards and related security service occupations
64410Security guards and related security service occupations

Security guards and workers in related security service occupations guard and implement security measures to protect property against theft, vandalism and fire; to control access to establishments; to maintain order and enforce regulations at public events and within establishments; to perform screening of passengers, luggage or cargo; to conduct private investigations for clients or employers and to provide other protective services not elsewhere classified. They are employed by public or private security agencies, residential complexes, educational, cultural, financial and health institutions, retail establishments, investigation service companies, transportation facilities, and organizations throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

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