Revision of the National Occupational Classification for Statistics

The National Occupational Classification for Statistics (NOC-S) is currently being revised for use in Census 2011.

At this time, Statistics Canada is soliciting input from users of occupational data to ensure their needs continue to be met by the revised NOC-S.

A parallel consultation will be conducted by Human Resources and Social Development Canada which is responsible for the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

You are invited to submit comments to either or both departments, depending on your areas of concern. The updating of NOC / NOC-S for 2011 will be a joint endeavour of Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Social Development Canada and changes made to one classification will be adopted in the other, where appropriate. In the course of working with HRSDC on this revision, your comments may be provided to HRSDC to assist in the assessment and improvement of the classification.

Proposals for changes should be sent to standards@statcan.ca. A Consultation Guide has been produced to help you provide input.

The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2008.

Consultation Guide

Please consider the following questions when preparing your input to the consultation on the revision of the National Occupational Classification for Statistics (NOC-S). Submissions do not need to cover all the topics. Comments can be submitted on your particular area(s) of concern only.

Note the NOC-S may be viewed at:
http://www.statcan.ca/english/Subjects/Standard/soc/2006/nocs06-menu.htm

Questions related to specific unit groups (categories that have a 4-digit code)

Note: Statistics Canada’s NOC-S and HRSDC’s NOC have the same unit groups. The classifications differ in that:

• The NOC contains more information about each unit group than does the NOC-S, the NOC having more information about the duties performed as well as information on the education and certifications required.
• Military occupations are treated differently in the NOC and NOC-S.

Are there particular unit groups where the definition is out of date? Please identify the groups you feel should be updated and provide any information you have regarding the information that should be changed.

Are there occupations where new job titles should be added? Please identify these groups and provide the job titles you feel should be added, along with information about the main activities of people in that job.

Are there new jobs that are not in the NOC-S? Please list any such jobs, providing the job title and some information about the main activities of people in that job.

Questions related to specific minor groups (categories that have a 3-digit code)

Note: Statistics Canada’s NOC-S and HRSDC’s NOC have the same minor groups.

Are there changes you would like to see in any of the minor groups? Please be as specific as possible in your comments, identifying the changes you would like to see and why.

Questions related to the major groups (categories that have a 2-digit code) and to the 10 broad occupational categories (groups that have a 1-digit code)

Note: Statistics Canada’s NOC-S provides 10 broad occupational categories, divided into 47 major groups. HRSDC’s NOC provides 26 major groups.

• Which of these structures do you consider most useful for analysis?
• Has the difference between NOC and NOC-S at the highest levels of aggregation created difficulties for you? If so, please explain the nature of those difficulties.

Please include any other comments you would like considered in the revision of the NOC-S / NOC.

Visit Human Resources and Social Development Canada at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/public_consultations/noc/index.shtml if you also wish to provide information to Human Resources and Social Development Canada directly.