OTTAWA, ON: Canada has announced that foreign nationals with work experience in 16 more occupations are now eligible to apply through Express Entry. The announcement comes after an update to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) that is used to track and categorize all jobs in the Canadian labour market and is updated to reflect changes in the economy and in the nature of work.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the implementation of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 for immigration programs managed under the Express Entry system. Using the new NOC categories will allow Canada to bring in global talent in high-demand sectors like health care, construction, and transportation.
Nurse aides, long-term care aides, hospital attendants, elementary and secondary school teacher assistants, and transport truck drivers are examples of some of the 16 occupations now included in Express Entry.
“We are using all of the tools at our disposal to tackle labour shortages, particularly in key sectors like health care, construction, and transportation. These changes will support Canadians in need of these services, and they will support employers by providing them with a more robust workforce who we can depend on to drive our economy forward into a prosperous future. I’m thrilled to announce expanded pathways to permanent residence in Canada for these in-demand workers,” said Fraser.
Foreign nationals with work experience in the following 16 occupations are now eligible to apply through Express Entry:
o payroll administrators
o dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
o nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
o pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
o elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
o sheriffs and bailiffs
o correctional service officers
o by-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
o estheticians, electrologists and related occupations
o residential and commercial installers and servicers
o pest controllers and fumigators
o other repairers and servicers
o transport truck drivers
o bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
o heavy equipment operators
o aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada uses NOC to determine and assess the occupational eligibility criteria under its temporary and permanent residency programs.
Employment and Social Development Canada and Statistics Canada work together to update the NOC on an ongoing basis, with major reviews occurring every 10 years, to ensure it reflects the changing labour market. The review involves in-depth research, analysis, and assessment of the feedback received through consultations and occupational research. Input from the public and stakeholders is an integral part of the review process.
