Nova Scotia Nominee Program Community Identified Stream ...

Occupations
The Office of Immigration does not have a specific occupation or skill shortage list. The Office of Immigration
uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) to classify jobs according to duties, formal qualifications and
experience specified by the employer. The NOC helps determine whether a job meets the skill levels established
for skilled and semi-skilled worker occupations, and whether the candidate’s qualifications and experience
match the requirements of the job. The NOC Matrix provides an overview of the entire occupational classification
structure based on skill levels and skill types. For more details on NOC skill levels, please visit
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/AboutNOC.aspx
The Office of Immigration differentiates between skilled workers, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers.
Skilled workers are defined as individuals with occupation within NOC skill levels O, A or B. Priority will be
awarded to these higher skilled occupations.
Semi-skilled workers have occupations that fall under the NOC skill level C occupations. The Office of
Immigration may consider applications based on local labour market requirement and conditions, and six (6)
months of work with the Nova Scotia employer supporting the application.
At this time, under the Community Identified stream, the Office of Immigration will not consider low-skilled
occupations that fall under the NOC skill level D.
The Office of Immigration reserves the right to consider only certain types of jobs and occupations for
nomination. This decision will depend on the current economic situation of the Nova Scotia labour market needs.
Language Standards and Mandatory Testing
As of July 1 st , 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is requiring that all applicants in NOC skill level C
occupations must achieve a minimum standard of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 across all four
categories: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Applicants must submit official language test results with
their application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.
The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration will only consider results from designated testing agency. The acceptable
tests are:
• the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training;
http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information.aspx
• the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General;
mostly in Western Canada – http://www.celpiptest.ca/for-test-takers/registration-information
• the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
http://www.francais.ccip.fr/etudiant
No other evidence of language proficiency will be accepted. Language tests have to be no more than two years
old at the date of application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.
NSNP - Community Identified Application Guide Page 3 of 23
16 MAY 2012