drafters-rolesandresponsibilities

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Job Roles andResponsibilities

in Canada

DraftersDrafting Technologistsand Technicians


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Acknowledgments

Winnipeg Technical College and the Department of Labour and Immigration of

Manitoba wish to express sincere appreciation to all contributors.

Special acknowledgments are extended to the following individuals:

Manola Barlow, Independent Contractor

Sarah McDowell, Independent Contractor

Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, Winnipeg Technical College

Grace Leduc, Curriculum Development, Winnipeg Technical College

Bill J urens, Technical Drafting Instructor, Winnipeg Technical College

Gerald Lepine, Technical Drafting Instructor, Winnipeg Technical College

Funding for this project has been provided by The Citizenship and Multicultural

Division, Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration.

Disclaimer

Statements and opinions in this document do not reflect those of Winnipeg

Technical College or the project funder, Citizenship and Multicultural Division,

Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration. The information is gathered from a

variety of sources and is current and accurate as of the revision date noted. This


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Table of Contents

Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

Description --------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

Where They Find Work ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Language Requirements ---------------------------------------------------------------5

Skills -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6Main Duties --------------------------------------------------------------------------------7

Terms & Conditions----------------------------------------------------------------------8

Earnings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

Education/Training-----------------------------------------------------------------------9

Employment Requirements ---------------------------------------------------------- 10

Career Paths----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Employment Opportunities----------------------------------------------------------- 11

Professional Associations ------------------------------------------------------------ 11

References------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Appendix I Occupational Comparisons----------------------------------------- 12


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Introduction

Although drafting technicians/technologists, architects, engineers and interior

designers/decorators all develop drawings and designs, the types of drawings and

designs they develop are quite different. All of these trades may work together, but

their job duties, responsibilities and education are different. It is important to

understand how these occupations differ when choosing a career.

See Appendix 1 at the back of this package for a detailed comparison of drafting

technicians/technologists, architects, engineers and interior designers/decorators.

Description

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 andmanufacturing companies, all levels of government and by a wide range of other

establishments. Drafting technicians are classified under the National Occupation

Classification (NOC) #2253.

Example Titles

Architectural draftsperson

Computer-aided design and drafting technologist

Computer aided drafting (CAD) technician


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Draftsperson

Electrical draftsperson

Electromechanical draftsperson

Electronic draftsperson

Engineering design and drafting technologist

Mechanical draftsperson

Structural draftsperson

Structural steel drafter-detailer

Supervisor, drafting office

Where They Find Work

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 (34%),

followed by manufacturing (30%), utilities (11%), public administration (9%) and

construction (8%).

Language Requirements

Drafting technicians should be able to communicate clearly in English to do their jobwell. It is very important to employers that you have good oral communication skills

so you can communicate with them and with your co-workers.

It is important to note that language entrance requirements and test


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Recommended Canadian Language Benchmark Levels for Technical Drafting1

Speaking Listening Reading Writ ing

7 7 7 7

Recommended TOEFL scores2

Paper Based Computer Based Internet Based

550 213 80

For those individuals where English is an Additional Language (EAL), it is

recommended that you take a Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test to

determine your level of English, and to see which English classes are available to

you. Contact the Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre for

an appointment:

Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre400 - 275 Portage Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3

Phone: 204-943-5387

Skills

Engineering design and drafting technologists need the following skills:

Drafting and mechanical drawing experience

Mathematics and physics

Ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings

and the relationships between parts in machinery and systems


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Computer-aided design (CAD) and design techniques

Problem-solving skills

Ability to communicate and work with engineers, architects, tradespersons,

and clients

Artistic ability (optional)

Good colour vision and hand-eye coordination

Ability to work under pressure

Main Duties

Drafting technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

Develop and prepare engineering drawings, plans, diagrams or layouts from

sketches

Operate computer-aided design (CAD) equipment or a conventional drafting

station

Drafting technologists perform some or all of the following duties:

Develop and prepare engineering designs and drawings from initial ideas,

sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data

Operate computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting work stations

Do you have many of these skills?


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Write technical reports

Prepare contracts and tender documents

Prepare construction specifications, costs and material estimates

Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters

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 some may work longer hours, in the evenings and on

weekends to meet project deadlines.

Most drafting technologists and technicians work full-time. A minority is self-

employed (12%).

Earnings

In Manitoba3

$23,900.00 per annum - starting

$37 500 00 per annum - average

Do you think you would enjoy do ing the work described above?


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Average in Canada4

Hourly wage: $19.88

Education / Training

Assiniboine Community College offers a 10-month Civil Technician Certificate

Program. This is the first year of the six diploma programs that are offered atRed River College

Red River College offers a Civil/CAD Technology Program that 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 andConstruction Technology, Environmental Protection Technology, Geomatics

Technology, Municipal Technology and Structural Technology

Design Drafting Technician Diploma and Drafting/CAD Certificate Programs

are offered through Red River College's Continuing Education Division

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 three-year Civil/CAD Technology

Diploma Program. This is a joint program with Red River College

University College of the North offers a one-year Civil/CAD Technician

Certificate Program

Industry Specific Training of Manitoba, a private vocational institution, offers a

program in Basic CAD/CAM/CNC. Some high schools in Manitoba offer a


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Employment Requirements5

In general, you need a high school diploma

To be a drafting and design technologist, you usually need to finish a two-

to three-year college or technical school program in engineering

design/drafting technology or in a related field

To be a drafting technician in Manitoba, completion of a one- to two-year

college program in drafting or engineering design is usually required

You may need certification in electrical or electronics engineering by a

provincial/territorial association, which is obtained after two years of

supervised work experience

With additional education or experience, you may specialize in civil,

mechanical, electrical or other engineering design technologies

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 among specializations, e.g., aircraft, architectural, machine, electronic and

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.


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Employment Opportunities

Employment prospects for drafting technologists and technicians are expected to be

good in the period 2006 to 2010.

A significant share of employment in this occupational group is dependent on the

success of Manitoba's engineering consulting firms that, in turn, serve the

construction industry. Public and private 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. Manufacturing firms will require

the services of drafting technologists and technicians to enable them to improve

their production and quality standards. Opportunities will be best for those with up-

to-date skills in computer-aided design (CAD) technology.

Professional Associations

Architectural & Building Technologists Association of Manitoba,

290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 2A7, (204) 781-1342

Certified Technicians & Technologists Association of Manitoba,

602-1661 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3T7, www.cttam.com

Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, 285 McLeod Street,

Ottawa, ON, K2P 1A1, www.cctt.ca

References

Manitoba J ob Futures. Retrieved Feb. 14, 2007, fromhttp://mb.jobfutures.org


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Appendix

Occupational Comparisons

Note: Bolded words are used to show some of the differences between theoccupations


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JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Drafting

Technicians/Technologists

Interior Designers/

Decorators

Engineers: Civil/

Mechanical/Electrical

Arch itects

Drafting technologists and techniciansprepare engineering designs, drawings

and related technical information, inmultidisciplinary engineering teams or insupport ofengineers, architects orindustrial designers, or they may workindependently. They are employed byconsulting and construction companies,utility, resource and manufacturingcompanies, all levels of government andby a wide range of other establishments.

Interior designers conceptualize andproduce aesthetic,functional and safe

designs for interior spaces inresidential, commercial, cultural,institutional and industrial buildings.They are employed by architectural firms,interior design firms, retailestablishments, construction companies,hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurantchains and other establishments or theymay be self-employed.

(Note: These designs and drawings are

NOT technical.)

Civil engineers plan, design, develop andmanage projects for the construction or

repair of buildings, earth structures,powerhouses, roads, airports, railways,rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels,canals, dams, ports and coastalinstallations and systems related tohighway and transportation services,water distribution and sanitation. Civilengineers may also specialize infoundation analysis, building andstructural inspection, surveying,geomatics and municipal planning. Civilengineers are employed by engineeringconsulting companies, in all levels ofgovernment, by construction firms and inmany other industries or they may beself-employed.

Architects conceptualize, plan anddevelop designs for the construction and

renovation of commercial, institutionaland residential buildings. Architects areemployed by architectural firms, privatecorporations and governments, or theymay be self-employed.

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Updated: April 2008

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Drafting


Interior Designers/

Decorators

Engineers: Civil/


Arch itects

To be a drafting technician inManitoba, completion of a one- totwo-year college program in drafting orengineering design is usually required.

To be a drafting and designtechnologist, you usually need tofinish a two- to three-year college or

technical school program inengineering design/draftingtechnology or in a related field.

* With additional education orexperience, you may specialize incivil, mechanical, electrical or otherengineering design technologies.

Creative ability and artistic talent asdemonstrated by a portfolio of work isrequired.

A university degree or college diploma ininterior design may be required.

A bachelor's degree in civilengineeringor in a relatedengineering discip line is required.

A master's degree or doctorate in arelated engineering discipline maybe required in research positions.

Licensing by the Association ofProfessional Engineers andGeoscientists of the Province ofManitoba (APEGPM) is required toapprove engineering drawings andreports and to practise as aProfessional Engineer (P.Eng.)

Engineers are eligible for registrationfollowing graduation from anaccredited educational program, and

after three or four years ofsupervised work experience inengineering and passing aprofessional practice examination.

A bachelor 's degreefrom anaccredited school of architectureor completion of the syllabus ofstudies from the Royal ArchitecturalInstitute of Canada (RAIC) isrequired.

Graduates must comp lete a three-

year internship under thesupervision of a registeredarchitect and complete thearchitect registration examination.

Architects in Manitoba must beregistered with the ManitobaAssociation of Architects.

EDUCATION

Drafting


Interior Designers/

Decorators

Engineers: Civil/


Arch itects

Ten- month Civil TechnicianCertificate

Ten-month Technical DraftingCertificate

A three-yearuniversity degree orcollege diploma in interior design maybe required.

A bachelor 's degreefrom anaccredited school of architectureor completion of the syllabus ofstudies from the Royal ArchitecturalInstitute of Canada (RAIC) isrequired.

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