NOC TEER 2 and TEER 3 Trades: Which Codes Qualify for Express Entry

Getting your NOC code wrong on an Express Entry profile is not a minor paperwork error — it can mean the difference between receiving an Invitation to Apply in a trades-specific draw and waiting indefinitely in a general pool where your score will never be competitive. The Federal Skilled Trades Program accepts only occupations from specific TEER 2 and TEER 3 groups under the NOC 2021 system, and IRCC updated which codes qualify for category-based draws in February 2026. Here is the complete picture.

What the TEER System Replaced

Canada's National Occupational Classification shifted from a letter-based "Skill Level" system (A, B, C, D) to the TEER framework when NOC 2021 was introduced. TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities, and it organizes occupations into six levels (0 through 5) based on the type and duration of training typically required.

For Express Entry purposes, the FST program accepts TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations — specifically those within defined major groups. TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations generally fall under the Federal Skilled Worker program. TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations (general labour, helpers) do not qualify for any Express Entry stream.

This distinction matters enormously for tradespeople who started their careers as helpers or apprentices. Hours worked in a TEER 4 or 5 role — such as "Construction helper" (NOC 75110) or "Electrician's helper" — do not count toward the FST work experience requirement, even if the physical work was performed on the same job site as a journeyperson.

Qualifying NOC 2021 Major Groups for FST

The FST draws its eligible occupations from the following NOC 2021 groups, as defined in Section 87.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations:

Major Group 72 — Technical Trades and Transportation Officers (excluding sub-group 726)

This group covers the core construction and industrial trades. It includes electricians (72200, 72201), carpenters (72310), plumbers (72300), welders (72106), pipefitters (72302), steamfitters (72302), boilermakers (72102), sheet metal workers (72104), ironworkers (72101), and millwrights (72400), among others. Electricians and plumbers in this group have "compulsory" certification status in most provinces, meaning a license is required to perform the work commercially.

Sub-group 726 — "Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in civil, mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering" — is excluded from FST eligibility.

Major Group 73 — General Trades, Maintenance, and Equipment Operation

This group covers maintenance mechanics, heavy equipment operators, and related trades. Notable occupations include heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401), industrial mechanics/millwrights (72400), automotive service technicians (72410), crane operators (73100), and drillers and blasters (73200).

Major Group 82 — Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production

Supervisory roles in logging, mining, oil and gas extraction, and agriculture fall here. These are TEER 2 roles where supervisory responsibility over TEER 3 workers qualifies the holder for FST. Examples include logging and forestry supervisors (82010) and oil and gas well drilling supervisors (82030).

Major Group 83 — Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production

This group covers the workers supervised by Major Group 82. Underground miners (83100), oil and gas well drillers (83101), logging machinery operators (83120), and similar roles qualify here.

Major Group 92 — Processing, Manufacturing, and Utilities Supervisors and Operators

Supervisory roles in manufacturing and processing plants fall under TEER 2 here, and the operators they supervise under TEER 3. Chemical plant supervisors, pulp and paper supervisors, and utilities supervisors are examples.

Major Group 93 — Central Control and Process Operators (excluding sub-group 932)

Operators in water and waste treatment plants, industrial process operators, and central control room operators are covered here. Sub-group 932 — "Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors" — is excluded.

Minor Group 6320 — Cooks, Butchers, and Bakers; Unit Group 62200 — Chefs

These groups remain FST-eligible, but with a significant caveat as of February 2026.

The February 2026 Update: Cooks and Chefs Removed from Category Draws

On February 18, 2026, IRCC modified the occupations included in the "Trades Occupations" category-based draws. Cooks (NOC 63200) and Chefs (NOC 62200) were removed from the targeted trades category.

The reason: culinary roles had come to dominate the trades pool, consuming more than half of all invitations in trades draws while construction trades went unfilled. IRCC's data showed that this was distorting the program away from its intended purpose of addressing Canada's structural shortage in construction, manufacturing, and industrial trades.

Simultaneously, Butchers (NOC 63201) were added to the Trades category following the retirement of the Agriculture and Agri-food category draw.

The practical impact: if you are a Cook or Chef, you remain eligible for the FST program and can still submit an FST profile. However, you will not receive an Invitation to Apply through a trades-specific category draw. You would need to compete in general draws or pursue a provincial nominee pathway instead.

If you are a Butcher, you are now included in trades-category draws and can compete for lower-cutoff invitations alongside electricians, welders, and other industrial trades.

How NOC Mismatch Causes Refusals

The most common reason for FST application refusal is a NOC mismatch — where the immigration officer concludes that the applicant's actual duties correspond to a different (and ineligible) NOC code than the one claimed.

A common example: someone who spent years as a "Construction supervisor" might claim NOC 72010 (Construction managers, TEER 1) or fall into NOC 75110 (Construction helpers, TEER 5) depending on how their duties are described. Neither qualifies for FST. The correct target for an experienced supervisor with hands-on trade duties might be a TEER 2 supervisory role within Major Group 72 or 73.

When writing your reference letters and describing your work experience in your Express Entry profile, every duty listed must align with the "lead statement" and "main duties" of the specific NOC unit group you are claiming. The description cannot be a copy-paste of the government's NOC description — that triggers plagiarism flags — but it must match at least 70-80% of the described responsibilities.

Verifying Your NOC Before You Apply

Before creating your Express Entry profile, look up your specific NOC code on the Statistics Canada NOC 2021 database and read the full unit group description. Check:

1. The TEER level (must be 2 or 3 for FST)
2. The major group (must fall within 72, 73, 82, 83, 92, 93, 6320, or 62200)
3. The lead statement (does it accurately describe your job?)
4. The main duties list (can you truthfully claim at least the majority?)
5. Employment requirements (does it reference the certification or apprenticeship you hold?)

If your trade occupation sits between two possible NOC codes, the safer choice is usually the one with the more specific match to your actual duties. An immigration officer reading your application will evaluate the substance of your work, not just the title on your contract.

The Canada Federal Skilled Trades Guide includes an occupational mapping tool and reference letter templates calibrated to the NOC 2021 lead statements for the 25 most common qualifying trades — helping you build a profile that holds up to IRCC scrutiny.

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