Drafting Technologists and Technicians

Nature of work

Drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs, drawings, and related technical information. They work in multidisciplinary engineering teams or in support of engineers, architects, or industrial designers, or they may work independently. They work for consulting and construction companies, utility, resource and manufacturing companies, all levels of government, and a wide range of other businesses.

Job duties

Drafting technologists:

• Develop and prepare engineering designs and drawings from concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data.
• Use computer-assisted design (CAD) and drafting workstations.
• Develop and prepare design sketches.
• Complete documentation packages and produce drawing sets.
• Check and verify design drawings to conform to specifications and design data.
• Write technical reports.
• Prepare contracts and tender documents.
• Prepare construction specifications, costs, and material estimates.
• Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.

Drafting technicians:

• Develop and prepare engineering drawings, plans, diagrams, or layouts from sketches.
• Use computer-assisted drafting equipment or a conventional drafting station.

Sample job titles

• architectural draftsperson
• civil draftsperson
• computer-aided design (CAD) specialist - drafting
• computer-assisted drafting (CAD) technician
• design and drafting technologist
• drafting technician
• drafting technologist
• draftsperson
• engineering design and drafting technologist
• mechanical draftsperson

Skills

You should have talent in drawing and sketching. A neat and systematic approach to projects is important. You must be accurate, precise, and efficient. The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines may also be necessary. Computer skills are usually required.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• A two- to three-year college program in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field is usually required for drafting and design technologists.
• A one- to two-year college program in drafting or completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or four to five years of related experience plus completion of college or industry courses in drafting are usually required for drafting technicians.
• Certification in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians may be required by employers.
• A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Other considerations

Jobs tend to be seasonal because of increased construction and renovation activity in the summer months. Because the work is closely related to construction activity, employment levels are sensitive to changes in economic conditions. Continuous learning is necessary to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology in this highly computerized field. Movement is possible to civil, mechanical, electrical, or other engineering design technologies through educational or work specialization. Senior and supervisory drafting and design technology workers require experience.

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