Drafting Technologists and Technicians

Nature of work

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

Job duties

Drafting technologists perform some or all of the following duties:

• Develop and prepare engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data.
• Operate 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 perform some or all of the following duties:

• Develop and prepare engineering drawings, plans, diagrams or layouts from sketches.
• Operate 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

For these jobs, 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

• Completion of high school is usually required.
• Completion of 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.
• Completion of 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, perhaps as a result of increased construction and renovation activity in the summer months. Continued employment in these jobs will require constant learning to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology in this highly computerized field. Because the work is closely related to construction activity, employment levels are sensitive to changes in economic conditions. Mobility 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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