NOC 72101 job description: tool and die maker duties and responsibilities
- Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications of tools, dies, prototypes or models
- Prepare templates and sketches, and determine work processes
- Compute dimensions and tolerances and set up machine tools
- Position, secure, measure and work metal stock or castings to lay out for machining
- Set up, operate and maintain a variety of conventional and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools to cut, turn, mill, plane, drill, bore, grind or otherwise shape workpiece to prescribed dimensions and finish
- Verify machined parts for conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments such as verniers, callipers, micrometers, coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and electronic measuring devices
- Fit and assemble or disassemble parts using hand tools
- Test completed tools, dies, jigs or fixtures for proper operation
- May program CNC machine tools.
- Machine, fit and assemble castings and other parts to make precision models of required shape such as metal patterns, core boxes and match plates
- Machine, fit and assemble parts to make metal moulds and cores for plastic injection moulding, or other production processes
- Lay out, shape and assemble patterns of metal, wood, plastic and other materials from blueprints, models or templates
- May program CNC machine tools.
Job titles under NOC 72101
See every job title and its code in the A–Z job title index, or all TEER 2 jobs.
Is NOC 72101 eligible for Express Entry?
By TEER, yes. TEER 2 is inside the TEER 0 to 3 range that the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class accept, and NOC 72101 is also on the Federal Skilled Trades list. You still need qualifying work experience, language test results and enough CRS points to get an invitation. Category-based draws and provincial nominee programs use their own occupation lists.
| Program | TEER check | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | TEER qualifies | TEER 2 is within TEER 0 to 3 |
| Canadian Experience Class | TEER qualifies | TEER 2 is within TEER 0 to 3 |
| Federal Skilled Trades | Listed trade | NOC 72101 is in a trade group IRCC accepts. Check IRCC |
| Spouse's open work permit | Qualifies | On IRCC's TEER 2–3 list. SOWP rules |
Category-based draws: NOC 72101 is not on any category-based selection list (checked 2026-10-16). Under NOC 2016, TEER 2 was skill level B ("NOC B").
Category-based Express Entry draws and provincial nominee programs use their own occupation lists. Check the current lists on IRCC's Express Entry page and provincial nominee page.
NOC 72101: common questions
What is NOC 72101?
NOC 72101 is the code for tool and die makers in Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021). Its first digit, 7, is the broad category and its second digit, 2, is the TEER level. Immigration forms, job offers and LMIA applications use this five-digit code.
What TEER is NOC 72101?
NOC 72101 is TEER 2. Occupations that usually need a college program of two to three years or an apprenticeship of two to five years, or that carry supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. Under the older NOC 2016 system, TEER 2 lines up with skill level B.
Is NOC 72101 eligible for Express Entry and PR?
By TEER, yes. TEER 2 is inside the TEER 0 to 3 range that the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class accept, and NOC 72101 is also on the Federal Skilled Trades list. You still need qualifying work experience, language test results and enough CRS points to get an invitation. Category-based draws and provincial nominee programs use their own occupation lists.
Is NOC 72101 in a category-based Express Entry draw?
No. As of IRCC's list dated 2026-10-16, NOC 72101 is not in any category-based selection list (healthcare, STEM, trades, education, transport and others). You can still be invited in general and program-specific draws.
Is NOC 72101 eligible for a spousal open work permit (SOWP)?
Yes. NOC 72101 is on IRCC's list of TEER 2 occupations that qualify, so a worker in this job can support a spouse's open work permit, as long as their own work permit has at least 16 months left when the spouse applies (IRCC page modified 2026-06-12).
What is the NOC code for a tool and die maker?
Tool and die maker is listed under NOC 72101, tool and die makers. The job title alone does not decide your code: your duties should match the main duties of NOC 72101.
How do I know if NOC 72101 is my NOC code?
Compare what you actually do with the main duties listed for NOC 72101, not just your job title. IRCC expects your duties to match the lead statement and most of the main duties of the code you choose. If they fit another code better, use that one. You can paste your duties into nocfinder to see how they line up, duty by duty.
Source: ESDC NOC 2021 · IRCC program pages. Not legal advice.