Introduction

While improvisation or abandoning a script and specific stage instructions may succeed in theatre, even the most modest or ambitious architectural or industrial projects would be impossible without the technical blueprints and drawings generated by Drafters. They provide accurate visual guidelines of an object, system, or structure, giving their technical experience to the construction of machinery, buildings, bridges, and more, thus bridging the gap between engineers and manufacturers.

Similar Job Titles

• CAD Technician
• CAD Operator
• Engineering Draftsperson
• Engineering Technician
• Draughtsperson
• Architectural Drafter
• Drafting Technician
• Engineering Technician

Typical Job Responsibilities

What do Drafters do?

A Drafter would typically need to:

• Talk with consumers to understand their needs; communicate with architects and engineers involved in the project.
• Engineers and architects give rough sketches and requirements for plan drawings and models.
• Use their technical and manufacturing knowledge in conjunction with computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software to create comprehensive drawings, blueprints, and 3D models.
• Modify drawings and models in accordance with customer specifications; create standardized models and describe materials used on them
• Use mathematical formulas to calculate dimensions; identity and list materials and processes for building new structures.
• Illustrate the designs with the engineering and manufacturing techniques to use
• Prepare several design versions for review and approval by architects and engineers
• Ensure that the final designs comply with the standards of engineers and architects

Standard Work Environment

Drafters spend the most of their time indoors, working on computers, because drafting entails sitting for hours at a time, generating technical drawings and plans using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) systems.

Drafters may, however, be required to travel for on-site work in partnership with architects and engineers.

Work Schedule

The majority of Drafters work typical business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and many spend more than 40 hours each week to meet project deadlines and milestones. Working as a freelance Drafter may give you more scheduling flexibility.

Employers

Seeking a new job may appear difficult. Drafters can improve their job search by asking for referrals from their network, contacting firms directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Drafters are generally employed by:

• Civil Engineering & Architectural Firms
• Aerospace & Automotive Companies
• Broadcasting & Telecommunications Enterprises
• Utility Companies
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering Firms
• Government Organisations
• Consumer Goods Manufacturing Concerns
• Manufacturing Entities
• Waste Management & Remediation Companies
• Wholesale Trade Organisations

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional associations and organizations are essential for Drafters who want to further their professional growth or interact with other professionals in their industry or employment. Participation in one or more of these organizations adds value to your resume while strengthening your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges

• To meet the expectations of your organization by working on multiple projects while simultaneously meeting deadlines and providing updates
• Finding the flexibility to deal with last-minute plan changes
• The need to constantly hone your technical skills to keep your job secure
• Health problems caused due to sitting down for long hours and working on computers
• To stay focused on work in a noisy environment

Suggested Work Experience

Each academic program in which a potential Drafter enrolls often involves supervised experience, such as an internship. Join up for summer internships in engineering design and drafting or computer-aided design under the guidance of an experienced employer. Apprentices can study for their certifications while still gaining work experience.

Internships and apprenticeships teach you drafting skills and theoretical concepts while also assisting you in obtaining a career, making contacts, and networking with people you may be working with soon.

Potential apprentices at manufacturing organizations and architectural or construction firms must typically have high marks in mathematics, English, and a technical topic that varies depending on their employment. Further conditions, such as a clean criminal background, may apply.

To demonstrate your devotion to course providers and possible employers, read about the profession and interview or job shadow professionals in drafting.

Recommended Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in architecture, drawing and design, mechanical or civil engineering, or a related field is often required for aspiring drafters, depending on the industry in which they intend to work.

An associate degree in drafting technology or computer-aided drafting and design from a technical institute or community college is also valued by employers. An associate degree typically requires around two years of full-time study.

Students usually specialize in one or more of numerous forms of drafting, such as furniture, mechanical, or architectural drafting, each of which requires slightly different instruction than the others but all of which share mathematics.

Take high school classes in mathematics, science, computer technology, design, computer graphics, and, if possible, drafting to prepare for a career in drafting.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registration

A Drafter’s proficiency in a skill set is demonstrated through work experience, training, and passing an examination. It can help you stand out in a competitive employment market, carry a large wage premium of up to 18%, boost your prospects of progression, and allow you to become an independent consultant if obtained from an objective and reputable organization. By including a Code of Ethics, successful certification programs defend the public welfare.

The Certified Development, Design, and Construction Professional (CDP) credential is highly respected in a variety of industries. You can get advice from your mentors or examine job descriptions from different companies to learn about the newest trends while deciding on an appropriate certification.

Projected Career Map

Career advancement is driven by performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional certifications. Workers who continuously demonstrate high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

You can advance within the company by taking on leadership responsibilities or taking on more major tasks. Your abilities are likely transferable to a career as a Technical Designer or Design Engineer. You could eventually apply for positions such as Project Engineering Manager or Engineering Director inside the company. Progression will most certainly result in additional difficulties and responsibilities, as well as increased prestige and larger paychecks.

Job Prospects

Construction and manufacturing industry growth is directly tied to a country’s economy. Nonetheless, schooling and industrial experience, as well as proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) systems, will provide the finest work opportunities for ambitious Drafters.

Beneficial Professional Development

Continuing professional development (CPD) will assist an active Drafter in developing personal skills and expertise through work-based learning, professional activity, and formal education.

If traditional schooling or self-directed learning is used. It enables you to always improve your skills, regardless of your age, employment, or degree of expertise.

Obtaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or certifications in your relevant profession, or expanding your portfolio of capabilities through proper training, will allow you to accomplish your work more quickly and skillfully, and will help you advance in your career.

Conclusion

Drafters can ensure that their timeless expertise never goes out of style, whether drafting high-end machinery for a large manufacturer or creating a city bridge for a government organization, thanks to the spread of computer technology.

Advice from the Wise

When innovating, it is possible to learn by referring to structural images. When you are unsure about the parameters of something you are creating a design for and want to reference from a real-world example, photography can be a very beneficial ally.