OINP has begun public consultations on the implementation of NOC 2021, as well as updates to language and education criteria for some employer job offer streams.
According to a September 6 media release, Ontario is preparing to align the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) with the new National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021 system.
The new NOC system is already in use by Employment Development Canada (EDSC) and Statistics Canada (Statscan), while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement the system in November.
This move will affect OINP by changing which businesses are eligible for each stream. For example, Ontario’s Provincial Enrollment Programs (PNPs) that previously required a job offer or work experience in NOC skill types 0, A, or B instead fall within TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. .
“OINP’s Employer Job Offers for In-Demand Skills Stream that previously required job offers in select NOC Skill Level C or D occupations, the stream now requires job offers in select TEER 4 or 5 occupations under NOC 2021 will be,” the amendment says. , “Under NOC 2021 some businesses will be changing the NOC label and this will affect which stream they are eligible for.”
Full details of the NOC 2021 system are available on the Statistics Canada website and on the IRCC website. OINP says it will also post the update on its website.
The Ontario employer is also proposing a job offer requiring applicants from the Foreign Employee Stream to have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 level or above. The province says that adding the new language criteria is expected to “better protect applicants and OINPs against program interest in promoting successful integration of staff and misrepresentation and other program integrity concerns.”
Employer Job Offers Education Criteria for International Student Stream is also ready for discussion. Ontario requires those applying with at least one year of certification to meet the criteria for an Ontario College Graduate Certificate as defined under the Ontario Qualifications Framework. “This amendment is expected to bring clarity and ease of burden for international student stream applicants applying with a one-year certificate,” OINP says.
Finally, Ontario seeks to change the minimum amount for OINP’s administrative monetary penalty.
The public can view amendments to Ontario’s regulatory registry. Ontario is accepting feedback on the proposed changes until October 21, 2022.
NOC 2021 to effect express admission eligibility
IRCC is expected to implement NOC 2021 on 16 November. Ontario’s Express Entry-aligned PNP eligibility will be affected as a result of the change in Express Entry-eligible occupations.
The following 16 businesses will become eligible for Express Entry through the proposed regulatory changes:
- Payroll administrator
- Dental Assistant and Dental Laboratory Assistant
- Nurse Aide, Command, and Patient Service Aide
- Pharmacy Technical Assistant & Pharmacy Assistant
- primary and secondary school teacher assistant
- sheriff and bailiff
- correctional service officer
- by-law enforcement and other regulatory authorities
- Esthetician, Electrologist and Related Professions
- Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers
- Pest Controller and Fumigator
- Other repairmen and servicemen
- transport truck driver
- Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
- heavy equipment operator
- Aircraft Assembler and Aircraft Assembly Inspector
Conversely, these three businesses would specifically become ineligible through Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program:
- other artists
- Program leaders and coaches in entertainment, sports and fitness
- Tailors, Dressmakers, Furriers and Milliners
The above occupations will remain eligible in other programs with broader job eligibility requirements, such as some PNP streams.