Drafting Technologists and Technicians (NOC 2253)
Description
Drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs, drawings and related technical information, in multi disciplinary 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.
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Example Titles
- architectural draftsperson
- computer-assisted design and drafting technologist
- computer-assisted drafting (CAD) technician
- design and drafting technologist
- drafting technician
- drafting technologist
- draftsperson
- electrical draftsperson
- electromechanical draftsperson
- electronic draftsperson
- engineering design and drafting technologist
- mechanical draftsperson
- structural draftsperson
- structural steel drafter-detailer
- supervisor, drafting office
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Classified Elsewhere
- Architectural design technologists (in 2251 Architectural Technologists and Technicians)
- Civil engineering design technologists (in 2231 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians)
- Electrical and electronics engineering design technologists (in 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians)
- Industrial Designers (2252)
- Mechanical engineering design technologists (in 2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians)
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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 work stations
- 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
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Skills
Engineering design and drafting technologists need the following skills:
- drafting and mechanical drawing skills,
- an aptitude for mathematics and physics,
- ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings and the relationships between parts in machinery and systems,
- knowledge of the qualities of metals, plastics, wood and other materials, of manufacturing processes and construction methods and standards,
- computer-aided drafting (CAD) and design techniques,
- problem-solving skills,
- the ability to communicate and work with engineers, architects, tradespersons, and clients,
- an artistic ability is helpful in some specialized fields,
- good colour vision, eye-hand coordination, and manual dexterity are required,
- the ability to work under pressure.
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Employment Requirements
- In Manitoba, completion of a one- to two-year college program in drafting or engineering design is usually required for drafting technicians.
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Terms & Conditions
Drafting technologists and technicians usually work in an office environment, but may be required to spend time in manufacturing plants or construction sites. They may be susceptible to eye strain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems from spending long periods of time at a computer work station. Most work during regular business hours, although may work longer hours, evenings and weekends in order to meet project deadlines.
Most drafting technologists and technicians work full-time. A minority are self-employed (9%).
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Earnings
$29,200 per annum - starting
$44,600 per annum - average
$60,100 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- Red River College offers a Civil/CAD Technology program which requires a common first year of study in Civil Technology, followed by entry into one of eight options - Building Design CAD Technology, Mechanical Systems CAD Technology, Manufacturing Design CAD Technology, Design and Construction Technology, Environmental Protection Technology, Geomatics Technology, Municipal Technology, Structural Technology.
- Assiniboine Community College offers a 10-month Civil Technician certificate program. This is the first year of the 6 diploma programs that are offered at Red River College.
- Winnipeg Technical College offers a 10-month technical drafting program. Graduates will receive credit towards a Civil Technology Diploma from RRC.
- University College of the North offers a 3-year Civil/CAD Technology diploma program. This is a joint program with Red River College.
- University College of the North offers a 1-year Civil/CAD Technician certificate program.
- Design Drafting Technician Diploma and Drafting/CAD Certificate programs are offered through Red River College's Continuing Education Division.
- Industry Specific Training of Manitoba, a private vocational institution, offers a program in Basic CAD/CAM/CNC.
- Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Building and Trades Technology and Drafting.
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Career Paths
Most drafters begin at a junior level, and may progress to designers or technologists as they gain experience and develop greater competency. There is not much mobility between specializations, e.g., aircraft, architectural, machine, electronic, mechanical.
Experienced technologists can advance to supervisory and management positions, or establish their own design and drafting companies. International employment opportunities exist with engineering consulting firms operating in global markets.
Drafters may move to civil, mechanical, electrical or other engineering design technologies through continuing education or work specialization.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for drafting technologists and technicians are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 985.
A significant share of employment in this occupational group is dependent on the success of Manitoba's engineering consulting firms who in turn serve the construction industry. Public investment in major construction projects and infrastructure renewal over the next few years should have a positive effect on the employment prospects for this occupation group.
Even during periods of economic uncertainty, manufacturing firms require the services of drafting technologists and technicians to enable them to improve their production and quality standards. Off shore outsourcing of drafting services is unlikely to offer much efficiency to Manitoba employers as most employ small numbers of drafting personnel, have diverse needs and can benefit more by having the expertise in-house.
Advances in computer-assisted design (CAD) technology have increased productivity in drafting and restricted employment growth. The increased use of these tools by other employees may also limit opportunity. Those with current specialized skills in CAD technology will have the best prospects.
A proportionally larger number of these positions are located in Winnipeg, although job opportunities are likely to occur throughout the Province. Across industries, employment is concentrated in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (39%), followed by Manufacturing (30%), Public Administration (8%) and Construction (8%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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