Definition: Sales & Service

Purpose

To determine whether a business qualifies as a Sales and Service business under NOC Major Group 6 for the purposes of eligibility under the West Kootenay Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). (See major groups)

Definition of Sales and Service Businesses

Sales and service businesses are enterprises whose primary function is to sell goods or deliver non-professional, customer-facing services directly to individuals or the public. These services are typically transactional, immediate, or recurring, and rely on interpersonal interaction or basic service provision rather than technical or professional expertise. The business’s workforce is typically composed of frontline staff, support workers, or low- to mid-skill service providers, and the roles usually do not require advanced education, licensing, or certification beyond short training programs.
Businesses are excluded from this category if their core functions align with other National Occupational Classification (NOC) major groups, including:

• NOC 0–1: Management and professional services (e.g., accounting firms, law practices, financial advisors)
• NOC 2: Natural and applied sciences and related technical services (e.g., engineering firms, IT consultancies)
• NOC 3: Health occupations (e.g., private clinics, dental offices)
• NOC 7: Trades, transport, and equipment operators (e.g., construction, HVAC contractors, arborist services)
• NOC 8: Natural resources, agriculture, and related production (e.g., logging, commercial landscaping)
• NOC 9: Manufacturing and utilities (e.g., custom fabrication, industrial service providers)

Even if these businesses offer services to individuals or the public, they are not considered part of the Sales and Service sector because their work requires regulated credentials, technical knowledge, or skilled trades training.

Inclusion Criteria

A business is likely a Sales and Service business (NOC 6) if most of the following apply:

• Front-line consumer sales delivery: Services are offered directly to individuals or the general public
• Transactional or recurring services: Business model is based on selling consumer goods or delivering repeatable services
• Service-sector industry: Operates in retail, hospitality, food, tourism, cleaning, recreation, or personal care
• Low barrier to entry: Most functions require little to no post-secondary education or formal licensing
• Basic interpersonal communication: Service delivery relies on communication and customer interaction – not professional advice

Exclusion Criteria

A business is not considered a Sales and Service business if any of the following apply:

• Professional expertise required: Core services require a regulated designation (e.g., CPA, CFP, real estate license)
• Professional, technical, or advisory services: Firm provides accounting, legal, financial, engineering, or consulting services
• Skilled trades or technical maintenance: Business focuses on installation, repair, or building systems (e.g. HVAC, plumbing)
• B2B or internal operations focus: Services are delivered to other businesses, not the general public
• Classification outside NOC 6: Core activity aligns with NOC 0-5 or NOC 7-9 groups (e.g., management, trades, sciences)

Classification Examples

Business Type	Sales & Service?	Reason
Restaurant, bar, cafe (excluding fast food, see below for definition)	Yes	Front-line consumer sales, transactional service
Janitorial or Cleaning Company	Yes	Front-line consumer sales, manual service
Clothing or Retail Store	Yes	Front-line consumer sales
Hotel or Tourism Operator	Yes	Hospitality service
Financial Advisory Firm	No	Professional, regulated advice
Accounting firm	No	Technical/ professional services
Real Estate Brokerage	No	Licensed consultive services
HVAC/ Plumbing Contractor	No	Skilled trades/ technical services
Software Development Company	No	Professional and technical services