Ontario Prepares to Switch to 2021 Version of NOC

Soon, there will be new occupation codes for jobs available in the Canadian labour market. The new Canada job codes will be as per the 2021 NOC. 

The updated National Occupation Classification (NOC) matrix will have an impact on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), also referred to as Ontario PNP. Ontario is among the Canadian provinces and territories that are a part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

How will the switch to 2021 NOC affect the OINP?

Ontario PNP will be impacted as there will be a change in the eligibility of occupations for specific OINP streams. A job requiring a certain skill level as of now will have to be determined as per the TEER category on the 2021 NOC. 

As per an official update, the Government of Ontario is contemplating aligning the OINP with 2021 NOC. Canada’s new NOC system is already in use by Statistics Canada and the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). 

According to the official website of the Canadian Government, “On November 16, 2022, IRCC is switching to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). If the province or territory will get your application on or after November 16, 2022, you must use the 2021 version of NOC”. 

What is Canada NOC?

Here, NOC stands for the National Occupational Classification that allots a unique code to each of the jobs in the Canadian labour market. 

What is 2021 NOC?

On November 16, 2022, Canada will be switching over to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Presently, NOC 2016 Version 1.3 is applicable. With the switchover, there will be 3 major changes -

• The existing 4-digit occupation codes will become 5-digit codes. For example, according to the presently used NOC 2016 Version 1.3, NOC 2174 is the code for Software Developer. In NOC 2021, Software Developers will have NOC 21232 as their job code for Canada. 
• Eligibility criteria for all Canada immigration programs that use NOC will be updated, and
• There will be a 6-category classification based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER). As of now, there are 4 skill types/levels - NOC 0, A, B, C, and D. 

What is Canadian PNP?

A nomination by a province or territory under Canadian PNP increases the chances of the nominee being granted Canadian permanent residence by the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

For an Express Entry candidate, a PNP nomination is worth 600 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). 

Securing a nomination is the first part of the process to get permanent residence in Canada by PNP route. The Nomination Certificate issued by the nominating province/territory can be used to apply to IRCC for Canada PR visa. 

Ontario attracting more skilled workers to strengthen economy

The Ontario Government will invest an additional $15.1 million over 3 years to improve and expand the OINP. 

According to Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton, “Newcomers are crucial to growing our economy and building a stronger future for all of us …. We’re lowering the barriers they face and have called on our partners in the federal government to double the number of newcomers Ontario can select in 2022.”

Quick Facts 

• 300,000+ jobs in Ontario going unfilled currently
• The yearly OINP allocation raised from 6,500 in 2017 to 9,000 in 2021 
• The OINP allows Ontario to nominate individuals - with the skills, education, and experience to contribute to Ontario’s economy - for Canada PR visas
• Ontario nomination allows an individual to apply to the federal government of Canada through IRCC for Canadian permanent residence
• The Government of Ontario plans to attract top talent and investment to the province by - (1) improving the OINP nomination process with an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for 6 streams, and (2) helping Ontario businesses attract and retain skilled workers