Immigration has been an indispensable part of the Canadian economy. The fact that skilled immigrants account for almost 100% of Canadian human capital growth, is testimonial to its importance.

The new NOC codes and changes to the immigration programs reflect the IRCC’s attempt at adapting and responding to the ever changing and evolving Canadian economy.

The Express Entry system is the fastest and the most popular pathway to invite skilled immigrants and meet the labour force requirements of Canada. It is an extremely straightforward system that allots a CRS score to eligible skilled workers, and issues ITAs to the ones with a score higher than the cut-off. Once a skilled worker receives an ITA in the draw, they must apply for Canada PR within 60 days.

Even though the Express Entry is the most popular immigration program, it was not as responsive to the current changes in the Canadian economy. Uptil now, it has been a rigid, point-based system that has not been as efficient in catering to the current economic needs of Canada. The country’s economy has not been immune to the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian labour force is in acute need of labour with almost 900000 vacancies available across sectors.

Industries such as healthcare, transportation and construction are the ones that are in severe need of global skilled talent.

The pandemic left the healthcare sector under an unprecedented and extreme stress, highlighting the already dire need of skilled healthcare workers and personal support workers that provide all the nursing care to the vulnerable Canadians.

Another sector that requires urgent supply of skilled human capital is the trucking industry. Canada is a country where almost every sector is heavily dependent on the trucking industry- be it agriculture or manufacturing. Thus, inviting skilled immigrants to economically contribute to this sector is indirectly beneficial to almost all Canadian industries.

Changes in Express Entry

To be responsive and adaptive to the labour force requirements is crucial in the strengthening of the Canadian economy. Thus, IRCC has begun introducing changes to its most popular immigration program: the Express Entry.

Additionally, the new NOC 2021 version 1.0 is also responsive to Canada’s economic challenges.

One of the most important changes the new NOC 2021 has brought about in the Express Entry program is including 16 new NOC codes that will now be eligible to apply for Canada PR through this popular pathway.

Previously, the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class(CEC) required work experience in NOC skill level O, A, and B. With the new TEER system in the latest 2021 NOC codes, job codes with TEER 0,1, 2, and 3 are now eligible for these two programs. This addition of TEER 3 makes 16 more job codes eligible for Express Entry. The table below lists all the new NOC codes that are now available to apply for Express Entry.

New NOC codes	Previous NOC code	NOC title
NOC codes eligible for Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class
13102 TEER 3	1432 Skill C	Payroll administrators
33100 TEER 3	3223 Skill B 3411 Skill C	Dental Assistant and dental laboratory assistant
33102 TEER 3	3413 Skill C	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
33103 TEER 3	3219 Skill B 3414 Skill C	Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
43100 TEER 3	4413 Skill C	Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
43200 TEER 3	4421 Skill C	Sheriffs and bailiffs
43201 TEER 3	4422 Skill C	Correctional service officers
43202 TEER 3	4423 Skill C	By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
63211 TEER 3	6562 Skill C	Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations
93200 TEER 3	9521 Skill C	Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
NOC codes eligible for Federal Skilled Trades Program
73200 TEER 3	7441 Skill C	Residential and commercial installers and servicers
73202 TEER 3	7444 Skill C	Pest controllers and fumigators
73209 TEER 3	7445 Skill C	Other repairers and servicers
73300 TEER 3	7511 Skill C	Transport truck drivers
73301 TEER 3	7512 Skill C	Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
73400 TEER 3	7521 Skill C	Heavy equipment operators

Besides this major welcoming change, the IRCC aims to evolve Express Entry system into a more responsive program that caters to the Canadian human capital requirements more efficiently. Few of these changes are:

Making Express Entry easier for the physicians who face challenges due to the “fee-for-service” model
Inviting immigrants from sectors in acute need of skilled workers through Express Entry. These industries include, STEM, Healthcare, building trades, and manufacturing.

This is the best time to create your Express Entry profile and be in the pool. Many welcoming changes are expected to occur in the upcoming weeks that might advantageously impact your application.

Still not sure about your chances through Express Entry? Was your new NOC code in the list of jobs eligible for Express Entry? If not, it is not the end of your immigration dream. Talent Connected Worldwide is a CICC/ICCRC immigration consultancy that is not only the best in Express Entry immigration, but also has a stellar success rate in PNP, Family Sponsorship, Atlantic Immigration Program, and all other pathways. Being CICC certified, no body knows legal Canada Immigration better than us.

Click here! Also read this interesting: SINP Points Assessment Grid: International Skilled Worker