Job Roles and
Responsibilities
in Canada
Drafters
Drafting Technologists
and Technicians
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 Jurens, 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
information is subject to change and will not be further updated. It is the
responsibility of the reader to seek current statistics and information.
Please contact the Winnipeg Technical College at 989-6500 or www.wtc.mb.ca if
you have questions about the contents of this document
2
Table of Contents
Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Description -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Where They Find Work ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Language Requirements --------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Skills ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Main 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
3
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 and
manufacturing 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
•
Design and drafting technologist
•
Drafting technician
•
Drafting technologist
4
•
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 job
well. 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
requirements vary in different colleges. Contact the colleges to see what is
required.
5
Recommended Canadian Language Benchmark Levels for Technical Drafting1
Speaking Listening
7
7
Reading
Writing
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 Centre
400 - 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
•
Knowledge of the qualities of metals, plastics, wood and other materials, of
manufacturing processes and of construction methods and standards
1
2
Note: This occupation has not been formally benchmarked.
These are the current TOEFL entrance requirements at some colleges.
6
•
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
Do you have many of these skills?
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
•
Develop and prepare design sketches
•
Complete documentation packages and produce drawing sets
•
Check and verify design drawings to conform to specifications and design
data
7
•
Write technical reports
•
Prepare contracts and tender documents
•
Prepare construction specifications, costs and material estimates
•
Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters
Do you think you would enjoy doing the work described above?
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 selfemployed (12%).
Earnings
In Manitoba3
$23,900.00 per annum - starting
$37,500.00 per annum - average
$50,000.00 per annum – high
3
www.mb.jobfutures.org
8
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 at
Red 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 and
Construction 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
program in building and trades technology and drafting
4
www.jobfutures.ca
9
Employment Requirements5
•
In general, you need a high school diploma
•
To be a drafting and design technologist, you usually need to finish a twoto 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.
Drafters may move to civil, mechanical, electrical or other engineering design
technologies through continuing education or work specialization.
5
www.jobfutures.ca
10
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 upto-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 Job Futures. Retrieved Feb. 14, 2007, from http://mb.jobfutures.org
11
Appendix
Occupational Comparisons
Note: Bolded words are used to show some of the differences between the
occupations
12
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
13
Drafting
Interior Designers/
Engineers: Civil/
Technicians/Technologists
Decorators
Mechanical/Electrical
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.
Interior designers conceptualize and
produce aesthetic, functional and safe
designs for interior spaces in
residential, commercial, cultural,
institutional and industrial buildings.
They are employed by architectural firms,
interior design firms, retail
establishments, construction companies,
hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant
chains and other establishments or they
may be self-employed.
(Note: These designs and drawings are
NOT technical.)
Civil engineers plan, design, develop and
manage projects for the construction or
repair of buildings, earth structures,
powerhouses, roads, airports, railways,
rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels,
canals, dams, ports and coastal
installations and systems related to
highway and transportation services,
water distribution and sanitation. Civil
engineers may also specialize in
foundation analysis, building and
structural inspection, surveying,
geomatics and municipal planning. Civil
engineers are employed by engineering
consulting companies, in all levels of
government, by construction firms and in
many other industries or they may be
self-employed.
13
Architects
Architects conceptualize, plan and
develop designs for the construction and
renovation of commercial, institutional
and residential buildings. Architects are
employed by architectural firms, private
corporations and governments, or they
may be self-employed.
DUTIES
Drafting
Interior Designers/
Engineers: Civil/
Technicians/Technologists
Decorators
Mechanical/Electrical
Drafting technicians 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 duties:
• Develop and prepare engineering
designs and drawings from initial
ideas, sketches, engineering
calculations, specification sheets and
other data.
• Operate computer-aided design
14
(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.
• Consult with clients to determine
needs, preferences, safety
requirements and purpose of
space.
• Develop detailed plans and 3-D
models showing arrangement of
walls, dividers, displays, lighting
and other fixtures using
computer-aided design (CAD)
software and graphics software.
• Develop plans, elevations,
cross sections and detailed
drawings.
• Advise on selection of colours,
finishes and materials, floor
and wall coverings, interior
and exterior lighting, furniture
and other items, taking into
account ergonomic and
occupational health standards.
• Estimate costs and materials
required.
• May advise on leasing, real
estate and marketing.
• Prepare plans and
specifications for the final
interior designs in accordance
with current practices and
codes.
• Work in a multidisciplinary
environment.
• May direct site work crews and
sub-contractors.
• Supervise technicians, technologists and other
engineers and review and approve designs,
calculations and cost estimates.
• Confer with clients and other members of the engineering
team and conduct research to determine project
requirements.
• Plan and design major civil projects like buildings,
roads, bridges, dams, water and waste management
systems and structural steel fabrications
• Develop construction specifications and procedures.
• Act as project or site supervisor for land survey or
construction work.
• Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design
work.
• Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and
specifications of building codes and other regulations.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and
construction materials.
• Conduct field services for civil works.
• Establish and monitor construction work schedules.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic analyses, municipal
and regional traffic studies, environmental impact studies
or other investigations
• Monitor air, water and soil quality and develop
procedures to clean up contaminated sites
• Conduct technical analyses of survey and field data
for development of topographic, soil, hydrological or
other information and prepare reports
• Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate
tenders for construction projects
14
Architects
• Prepare or supervise
drafting technicians and
technologists (and other
contractors/trades
persons) in the preparation
of drawings, specifications
and other construction
documents.
• Monitor activities on
construction sites to
ensure compliance with
specifications.
• Consult with clients to
determine type, style and
purpose of renovations or
new building construction
being considered.
• Conceptualize and design
buildings and develop
plans describing design
specifications, building
materials, costs and
construction schedules.
• Prepare sketches and
models for clients.
• Prepare bidding
documents, participate in
contract negotiations and
award construction
contracts.
• Conduct feasibility studies
and financial analyses of
building projects.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Drafting
Interior Designers/
Engineers: Civil/
Technicians/Technologists
Decorators
Mechanical/Electrical
• To be a drafting technician in
Manitoba, completion of a one- to
two-year college program in drafting or
engineering design is usually required.
Creative ability and artistic talent as
demonstrated by a portfolio of work is
required.
A university degree or college diploma in
interior design may be required.
15
• 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.
* With additional education or
experience, you may specialize in
civil, mechanical, electrical or other
engineering design technologies.
•
A bachelor's degree in civil
engineering or in a related
engineering discipline is required.
•
A master's degree or doctorate in a
related engineering discipline may
be required in research positions.
•
Licensing by the Association of
Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists of the Province of
Manitoba (APEGPM) is required to
approve engineering drawings and
reports and to practise as a
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)
•
Architects
•
A bachelor's degree from an
accredited school of architecture
or completion of the syllabus of
studies from the Royal Architectural
Institute of Canada (RAIC) is
required.
•
Graduates must complete a threeyear internship under the
supervision of a registered
architect and complete the
architect registration examination.
•
Architects in Manitoba must be
registered with the Manitoba
Association of Architects.
Engineers are eligible for registration
following graduation from an
accredited educational program, and
after three or four years of
supervised work experience in
engineering and passing a
professional practice examination.
EDUCATION
Drafting
Interior Designers/
Engineers: Civil/
Technicians/Technologists
Decorators
Mechanical/Electrical
• Ten- month Civil Technician
Certificate
• Ten-month Technical Drafting
Certificate
Architects
•
A three-year university degree or
college diploma in interior design may
be required.
A bachelor's degree from an
accredited school of architecture
or completion of the syllabus of
studies from the Royal Architectural
Institute of Canada (RAIC) is
required.
Updated: April 2008
15