National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

This broad category comprises occupations in natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development), engineering, architecture and information technology. These occupations cover specialized middle management occupations in engineering, architecture, science and information systems; professional occupations in natural sciences (basic and applied sciences and experimental development); and technical occupations related to natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development).

21 - Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

This major group comprises professional occupations in natural sciences; professional occupations in applied sciences and professional occupations in engineering. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 1. Occupations classified in TEER 1, as those in this group with a 1 as the second digit of their code, typically require a university degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate) or the accumulation of several years of experience and expertise in the subject matter knowledge in a related occupation found in TEER 2, when applicable (which includes occupations with a 2 as a second digit in their code).

212 - Professional occupations in applied sciences (except engineering)

This sub-major group comprises professional occupations in applied sciences, other than engineering, including architects, urban planners and land surveyors; mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries and data scientists; computer and information systems professionals; and computer, software and Web designers and developers.

2123 - Computer, software and Web designers and developers

This minor group comprises computer, software and Web designers and developers, including computer systems developers and programmers, software engineers and designers, software developers and programmers, Web designers, and Web developers and programmers. They are employed by computer software development and information technology consulting, research and development companies; advertising agencies; and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors; or they may be self-employed.

21230 - Computer systems developers and programmers

Computer systems developers and programmers write, modify, integrate and test computer code for software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software and communications software. They are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • computer programmer
    • operating systems programmer
    • programmer analyst
    • scientific programmer
    • systems programmer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
    • Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
    • Electronic business (e-business) manager (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
    • Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
    • Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
    • Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
    • Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Write, modify, integrate and test software code
    • Maintain existing computer programs by making modifications as required
    • Identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions
    • Prepare reports, manuals and other documentation on the status, operation and maintenance of software
    • Assist in the collection and documentation of user requirements
    • Assist in the development of logical and physical specifications
    • May lead and coordinate teams of computer programmers
    • May research and evaluate a variety of software products

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree or college diploma program in computer science, computer engineering or in another discipline with a significant programming component.
    • Specialization in programming for engineering and scientific applications requires specific post-secondary study or experience.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to information systems analyst is possible with experience.
21231 - Software engineers and designers

Software engineers and designers research, design, evaluate, integrate and maintain software applications, technical environments, operating systems, embedded software, information warehouses and telecommunications software. They are employed in information technology consulting firms, information technology research and development firms, and information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • application architect
    • computer software engineer
    • embedded software designer
    • embedded software engineer
    • software architect
    • software design engineer
    • software design verification engineer
    • software designer
    • software testing engineer
    • telecommunications software engineer

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • systems architect

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
    • Computer engineer (except software) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
    • Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
    • Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
    • Electrical and electronics engineers (See 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers)
    • Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
    • Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
    • Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
    • Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Collect and document users' requirements and develop logical and physical specifications
    • Research, evaluate and synthesize technical information to design, develop and test computer-based systems including mobile applications
    • Develop data, process and network models to optimize architecture and to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs
    • Plan, design and coordinate the development, installation, integration and operation of computer-based systems including mobile applications
    • Assess, test, troubleshoot, document, upgrade and develop maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software
    • May lead and coordinate teams of information systems professionals in the development of software and integrated information systems, process control software and other embedded software control systems.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics
      or
      Completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
    • A master's or doctoral degree in a related discipline may be required.
    • Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
    • Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and passing a professional practice examination.
    • Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
21232 - Software developers and programmers

Software developers and programmers design, write, and test code for new systems and software to ensure efficiency. They create the foundations for operative systems and run diagnostic programs to certify effectiveness. They are employed in computer software, computer and video game development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • application programmer
    • computer game developer
    • electronic business (e-business) software developer
    • interactive media developer
    • multimedia developer
    • software developer
    • software programmer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer applications engineer (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
    • Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
    • Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
    • Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
    • Electronic business (e-business) manager (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
    • Graphic designers and illustrators (See 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators)
    • Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
    • Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
    • Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Design, write, read, test, and correct code for new software
    • Analyze information to recommend and plan the installation of new systems or modifications of an existing system
    • Evaluate simple interrelationships between programs such as whether a contemplated change in one part of a program would cause unwanted results in a related part
    • Program animation software to predefined specifications for interactive video games, Internet and mobile applications
    • Write, modify, integrate and test software code for e-commerce, Internet and mobile applications
    • Develop, implement, modify and maintain gameplay features that integrate effectively into existing software
    • Write documentation for new and updated software.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering or in another discipline with a significant programming component or completion of a college program in computer science or related field is usually required.
    • Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to software engineer is possible with experience.
21233 - Web designers

Web designers develop and create the visual presentation, layout and functionality of websites and related applications. They are responsible for ensuring that the website is easy to use, and that the information is easy to access. Web designers are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, information technology units throughout the public and private sectors, advertising agencies or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • Internet site designer
    • Intranet site designer
    • Web designer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
    • Electronic business (e-business) manager (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
    • Graphic designers and illustrators (See 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators)
    • Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
    • Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Establish design guidelines, standards and optimal design practices
    • Maintain the appearance of websites by applying content standards
    • Designing visual imagery for websites and ensuring that it is consistent with the organization image
    • Integrate features and functionalities into Web sites
    • Create and optimize content for the Web site using a variety of graphics, database, animation and other software
    • Test and improve the design of a Web site
    • May lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to develop Web site graphics, content, capacity and interactivity.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in computer science or graphic design or completion or a college program in computer science, graphic arts, or Web design is required.
    • Experience as a graphic designer is usually required.
21234 - Web developers and programmers

Web developers and programmers use a variety of programming languages to design, create and modify websites. They analyze users' needs to implement content, graphics, performance, and website capacity. They may also integrate websites with other computer applications. They are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, information technology units throughout the public and private sectors, advertising agencies or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • electronic business (e-business) Web site developer
    • Internet site developer
    • Web developer
    • Web manager
    • Web programmer
    • Web site developer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
    • Electronic business (e-business) manager (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
    • Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
    • Network systems engineer (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
    • Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
    • Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Develop, write, modify, integrate and test Web site related code and web application interfaces
    • Conduct tests and analyze data to monitor quality, security, user interface experiences and to identify areas for improvement
    • Develop and implement procedures for ongoing web site revision
    • Monitor and maintain Web site functionality
    • May participate in Web site architecture and design in collaboration with designers or clients
    • May research and evaluate a variety of interactive media software products.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer programming, web development or software engineering or completion of a college program in computer science or related field is usually required.
    • Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
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