The Career Handbook, the counselling component of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, was first published in 1996 as a companion document to the 1993 edition of the NOC. In the ensuing decade, research was undertaken to update and revise the classification for the 2001 Census. During this time, Canada witnessed an evolution of the labour market that brought many changes to the nature of work. These new developments have been integrated into NOC 2001 to ensure its currency and relevancy for Canadians. The most significant changes are found in the area of information technology, which enabled the advent of globalized communications systems such as the Internet, wireless communications and the capabilities for electronic commerce and publishing. The impacts of these global developments are evident in the labour market in many ways. Some examples include new job titles, different ways of working, the use of equipment and software for innovative purposes and the emergence of new kinds of products and services.

The revisions to the NOC have also been incorporated into the second edition of the Career Handbook to ensure that a cohesive system continues to assist those working with clients in understanding the occupations of the Canadian economy. To better understand the developments in the labour market and the resulting changes made to the classification, it is suggested that users read the Introduction to NOC 2001. The revisions represent considerable improvements to the organizational framework of the classification and impact positively on data collection and statistical interpretation of trends in the economy. These modifications are present at the unit group, or four-digit code, level of the NOC where occupational data is collected for statistical purposes. Users will notice several new occupations in the professional and technical skill levels of information technology and the amalgamation of certain occupations in other areas of the classifi cation. At the end of this Preface is a table summarizing these structural changes.

Based on the revisions to the classification structure, the 897 groups presented in the original edition of the Career Handbook have now increased to a total of 923 groups. Consistent with the previous edition, these groups are derived from the NOC unit group descriptions. The occupational profiles for counsellor use and interpretation appear as either four-digit group, or five-digit subgroup, presentations.

The modifications to the classification and to the Career Handbook update this counselling resource to the extent possible when describing a dynamic phenomenon such as the labour market. At the same time, the new trends and transformations in the Canadian workplace, while substantial, underline the inherent stability that is demonstrated in the performance of work. The same foundational competencies and worker characteristics operate in today’s world of work as they did in the past, allowing workers to adapt to different kinds of knowledge and skills demanded by the new economy.

The Descriptor Scales of the Career Handbook are as valid now as they were at first publication, and there was no need expressed to adopt different Descriptors for this revised edition. Indications from the field suggest that these scales are both effective in communicating pertinent details about work performance in occupations and in connecting that information to the characteristics of workers. Counsellors and other professional intermediaries using the Career Handbook have become familiar with the Descriptors presented in the profiles and rely on this resource to support them in facilitating their clients’ understanding of work, jobs and occupations in the Canadian labour market.

While the Descriptor Scales have not been replaced or revised, the definitions of a few of the Descriptor levels have been modified. The intention of these changes is to bring more clarity to the differences between certain levels and to incorporate the concept of information systems and virtual objects where it was not previously explicit. Other modifications clarify the explanations of the assignment of certain ratings. The original meanings of all the factors and levels have been retained.

The Introduction to the second edition of the Career Handbook is virtually unchanged from the original with the exception of minor changes for compatibility with NOC 2001 and for clarification of rating methodology. Users are encouraged to read both the Introduction and the Descriptor Definitions sections to reacquaint themselves with the underlying principles supporting the counselling profiles and to note how some definitions have been refined.

It was considered appropriate to provide a high degree of consistency between the original and the second edition to minimize the difficulty in understanding and dealing with those changes necessitated by the evolution in the labour market itself. The revised edition of the Career Handbook offers counsellors and other professionals a solid and familiar resource for developing an understanding of the overall labour market and a detailed conceptualization of the work performed in occupations throughout the economy. With this understanding, they will be able to provide clients with the necessary information to help them make appropriate decisions and take positive action in their career exploration and development.

Structural Changes to the Unit Groups of NOC 2001