National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

This broad category comprises middle management occupations in trades, transportation and equipment, as well as occupations such as technical trades and transportation officers and controllers; general trades; mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers; and helpers and labourers and other transport drivers, operators and labourers.

72 - Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

This major group comprises technical trades and transportation officers and controllers. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 2. Occupations classified in TEER 2, as those included in this group with a 2 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or supervisory or significant safety responsibilities; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 3, when applicable (TEER 3 includes occupations with a 3 as a second digit in their code).

726 - Transportation officers and controllers

This sub-major group comprises transportation officers and controllers, including air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors; air traffic controllers and related occupations; deck officers in water transport; engineer officers in water transport; and railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators.

7260 - Transportation officers and controllers

This minor group comprises transportation officers and controllers, including air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors; air traffic controllers and related occupations; deck officers in water transport; engineer officers in water transport; and railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators. They are employed by airline, air freight, air services, and marine transportation companies; flying schools, and other public and private sector aircraft operators; port, harbour, canal, and lock authorities; and NAV Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, and other federal government departments.

72600 - Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors

Air pilots fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to provide air transportation and other services such as crop spraying and aerial surveying. Flight engineers assist air pilots with monitoring, troubleshooting and maintenance of aircraft systems and with pre- and post-flight inspections. Flying instructors teach flying techniques and procedures to student and licensed pilots. Air pilots, flight engineers and flight instructors are employed by airline and air freight companies, flying schools and by other public and private sector aircraft operators.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • air pilot
  • captain - air transport
  • check pilot
  • chief flying instructor
  • chief pilot
  • co-pilot
  • flight engineer
  • flying instructor
  • helicopter pilot
  • pilot instructor
  • relief pilot
  • second officer - air transport
  • test pilot

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Air traffic controllers and related occupations (See 72601 Air traffic controllers and related occupations)
  • Ground school instructor (See 41210 College and other vocational instructors)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Air pilots

  • Conduct pre-flight inspection of aircraft and check passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air-traffic control, inform crew members of flight and test procedures and direct activities of aircraft crew during flights
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions and other information
  • Conduct in-flight tests and monitor functioning of aircraft equipment and systems during flights, maintain communications with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters and respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions
  • Prepare flight evaluation reports
  • Train pilots to use new equipment, or prepare them for examinations to revalidate or upgrade existing licences
  • May fly new or experimental planes to examine their flight performance and safety
  • May participate in search and rescue operations, forest firefighting, aerial surveying, crop dusting and other services.

  Flight engineers

  • Inspect aircraft prior to takeoff according to pre-flight checklist and verify passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
  • Assist air pilots in monitoring aircraft systems, equipment and functions during flight
  • Make in-flight repairs, such as replacing fuses and adjusting instruments, and follow emergency procedures to compensate for equipment malfunction or failure
  • Perform post-flight inspections, record equipment malfunctions and corrective actions taken during flight and report required repairs to ground maintenance personnel.

  Flying instructors

  • Instruct student pilots in procedures and techniques of flying aircraft and in ground-school subjects such as navigation, radio procedures and flying regulations
  • Train licensed pilots for additional certification.

• Employment requirements

  Pilots and flight engineers

  • Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.
  • A university degree or college diploma may be required.
  • A commercial pilot's licence (more than 200 hours of flight experience) or an air transport pilot's licence (more than 1500 hours of flight experience) is required.
  • Additional licences or endorsements to fly different types of aircraft are required.
  • Flight engineers require a flight engineer licence issued by Transport Canada.
  • Structured training is provided by employers.

  Flight instructors

  • Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.
  • A university degree or college diploma may be required.
  • A commercial pilot's or an air transport pilot's licence is required.
  • Transport Canada ratings and endorsements to provide instructions on different types of aircraft are required.

• Additional information

  • Flight engineers may progress to co-pilot and pilot positions with required hours of flying experience and completion of licensing and endorsement requirements.

72601 - Air traffic controllers and related occupations

Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports. Flight service specialists provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety. Flight dispatchers authorize airline flights over assigned routes. Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists are employed by NAV Canada and the Canadian Forces. Flight dispatchers are employed by airline and air services companies and by the Canadian Forces.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • air traffic controller (ATC)
  • airport air traffic controller
  • enroute air traffic controller
  • flight dispatcher
  • flight service specialist (FSS)
  • instrument flight rules air traffic controller
  • terminal air traffic controller
  • visual flight rules air traffic controller

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators (See 72604 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Air traffic controllers

  • Control flow of air traffic within assigned airspace using radar monitors, radio and other communication equipment and visual references
  • Issue aircraft takeoff and landing instructions to pilots and relay meteorological, navigational and other information to pilots in flight
  • Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other area control centres, and coordinate movement of aircraft into adjoining areas
  • Alert airport emergency services when aircraft are experiencing difficulties and report missing aircraft to search and rescue services
  • Direct activities of all moving aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways.

  Flight service specialists

  • Provide pre-flight information concerning current and forecast weather conditions, radio frequencies, terrain, airports and related data to assist pilots in preparation of flight plans
  • Check flight plans for completeness and accuracy and forward flight plans to air traffic services facility
  • Respond to radio calls from aircraft preparing for takeoff or landing and supply information such as weather conditions, wind speed and direction and presence of local air traffic
  • Support air traffic control operations by relaying radio requests for flight clearances, arrival and departure information and position reports
  • Alert airport emergency services of aircraft experiencing difficulties and initiate communication searches when aircraft become overdue
  • Observe, record and report weather conditions at airports.

  Flight dispatchers

  • Analyze environmental conditions and assess aircraft for load and fuel capacity and other factors to determine flight routes
  • Brief flight crew before takeoff on weather conditions, status of navigational facilities and airports while on route
  • Co-sign flight authorization with aircraft captain
  • Monitor progress of flight and communicate as required with aircraft during flight
  • Delay or cancel flights if conditions warrant
  • Prepare and maintain flight plans, flight logs and other reports.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • A basic radio telephone operator's licence is required.
  • Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists require completion of a NAV Canada training program which includes structured in-class and on-the-job training.
  • Air traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's licence.
  • Flight dispatchers may require experience in air traffic control or flight operations and may require a private pilot's licence.

• Additional information

  • Air traffic controllers with experience and appropriate NAV Canada endorsements may move to units with higher volumes of air traffic.

72602 - Deck officers, water transport

Deck officers, water transport, operate and command ships or self-propelled vessels to transport passengers and cargo on oceans and coastal and inland waters, and supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews. This unit group also includes Canadian Coast Guard deck officers. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer
  • Coast Guard vessel navigation officer
  • Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer
  • deck officer - water transport
  • ferryboat master
  • master mariner
  • ship pilot
  • ship second mate
  • ship third mate
  • ship's captain
  • ship's mate
  • tugboat captain

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Engineer officers, water transport (See 72603 Engineer officers, water transport)
  • Fishing masters and officers (See 83120 Fishing masters and officers)
  • Shore captain - water transport (See 70020 Managers in transportation)
  • Water transport deck and engine room crew (See 74201 Water transport deck and engine room crew)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Command and operate ships or other self-propelled vessels, such as barges or oil rigs, to transport passengers and cargo
  • Command and operate coast guard vessels to provide ice-breaking and search and rescue services, and to maintain control over ships operating in Canadian waters
  • Board vessels at berth or from pilot boats to advise ships' captains on the course to steer for safe passage into and out of ports, seaways or other waterways under pilotage authority
  • Plan and execute safe navigational passage using navigational aids
  • Determine geographical position using navigational instruments, maps and charts
  • Guide vessels in rivers, canals, and other confined or hazardous waters and waterways
  • Maintain vessels' navigational instruments and equipment
  • Direct and oversee the loading and unloading of cargo
  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews
  • Record vessel progress, crew activities, weather and sea conditions in the ship's log.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Completion of deck officer cadet program from an approved nautical institute
    or
    One to three years of experience as a member of a deck crew is required.
  • A deck officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
  • For ship pilots, a ship pilot licence and a master certificate of competency are required.

• Additional information

  • Transport Canada administers a deck officer certification program, consisting of several levels. Progression from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
  • Mobility between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification.
  • Progression to management positions in transportation is possible with experience.

72603 - Engineer officers, water transport

Engineer officers in water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships and other self-propelled vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • chief engineer - water transport
  • engineer officer - water transport
  • fourth engineer - water transport
  • marine engineer officer
  • second engineer
  • third engineer - water transport
  • tugboat engineer

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Deck officers, water transport (See 72602 Deck officers, water transport)
  • Managers in transportation (See 70020 Managers in transportation)
  • Marine engineer AND naval engineer (See 21399 Other professional engineers)
  • Marine mechanical engineer (See 21301 Mechanical engineers)
  • Water transport deck and engine room crew (See 74201 Water transport deck and engine room crew)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate main engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment aboard ships, such as boilers, steering and deck machinery, motors, pumps, generators and condensers
  • Stand engine room watch, monitoring and noting performance of engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
  • Inspect and conduct maintenance and emergency repairs to engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of the engine room crew
  • Maintain records and prepare reports on engine performance and failures.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Completion of a three-year cadet program in marine engineering from an approved marine training institute
    or
    Approximately three years of experience as an engine room crew member and six months of formal training at an approved marine training institute
    or
    Approximately three years of experience as an engine mechanic and six months of experience as an engine room crew member are required for certification as a fourth class marine engineer.
  • A marine engineer officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.

• Additional information

  • Fourth class marine engineer certificate is the entry level of a four-level certification program administered by Transport Canada. Progression from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
  • Mobility between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification.
  • Progression to management positions in transportation is possible with experience.

72604 - Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators

Railway traffic controllers coordinate passenger and freight train traffic on railways. They are employed by rail transport companies. Marine traffic regulators monitor and regulate coastal and inland marine traffic within assigned waterways. They are employed by port, harbour, canal and lock authorities and by the Canadian Coast Guard.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • chief rail traffic controller
  • marine traffic regulator
  • rail traffic controller
  • train operator

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Harbour master (See 70012 Facility operation and maintenance managers)
  • Subway traffic controller (See 72024 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators)
  • Supervisors, railway transport operations (See 72023 Supervisors, railway transport operations)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Railway traffic controllers

  • Operate and monitor centralized traffic control systems to coordinate and follow railway traffic
  • Chart train movements, calculate arrival and departure times and record rail traffic information
  • Issue instructions to control the movement of passenger and freight train traffic and on-track mobile maintenance equipment
  • Receive, record and relay train instructions to train crew by hand or radio telephone
  • May supervise and train other railway traffic controllers.

  Marine traffic regulators

  • Direct and monitor vessel movements using radar or closed circuit monitors, remote radio systems and other telecommunication equipment
  • Obtain position, course, speed and estimated arrival time of vessels and monitor vessel progress through traffic zone
  • Issue clearance instructions to vessels, advise vessels of traffic volumes and weather conditions, and relay information to next marine traffic control sector
  • Report accidents, distress signals, navigational hazards and other emergencies to authorities
  • Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent marine control sectors and with vessels within area of jurisdiction
  • Maintain log of vessel movements, size and structure.

• Employment requirements

  • Railway traffic controllers usually require completion of secondary school and several years of experience in the railway industry.
  • Up to 35 weeks of a combination of classroom and on-the-job training is provided for railway traffic controllers.
  • Railway traffic controllers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
  • Marine traffic regulators require completion of secondary school and several months of formal traffic regulator training.

• Additional information

  • There is little mobility between traffic controlling occupations in the railway and marine sectors.
  • With experience, railway traffic controllers may progress to supervisory positions in rail transport operations.