Civil - Drafting Technician and Technologist

Job Duties

Drafting technicians and technologists use computer-aided design (CAD) to prepare engineering designs, drawings and related technical information to support engineers, architects and industrial designers. You may work for architectural, engineering, power or construction companies, government, or for many other types of companies. You may also be self-employed and provide your services on a contract basis. Technologists have more responsibility than technicians.

Generally, drafting technologists:

• Develop and prepare engineering drawings and designs from plans, diagrams or sketches.
• Operate CAD and drafting stations.
• Create documentation packages and drawing sets.
• Check drawings for errors.
• Prepare contracts and tender documents.
• Estimate the cost of construction and materials.
• Supervise and train other technologists and technicians and drafters.

Generally, drafting technicians:

• Develop and prepare engineering drawings, plans, diagrams or layouts from sketches.
• Operate CAD equipment or use a conventional drafting station.

Source: HRDSC

Job Requirements

Education

This job requires: College or University

Comparison with other jobs in this profession

Job	Level of Education Required
Chemical - Chemical Technologist and Technician	College or University
Civil - Construction Project Coordinator	College or University
Civil - Drafting Technician and Technologist	College or University
Electrical - Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician and Technologist	College or University
Civil - Construction Estimator	College or University

Experience

This job requires 0 - 2 years of work experience.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession

Job	Years of Work Experience Required
Chemical - Chemical Technologist and Technician	0 - 2
Civil - Construction Project Coordinator	5+
Civil - Drafting Technician and Technologist	0 - 2
Electrical - Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician and Technologist	0 - 2
Civil - Construction Estimator	0 - 2

Source: HRSDC

Essential Skills

As a drafting technician/technologist, you need to:

• Speak, read and write English.
• Have strong design and drawing skills.
• Have comprehensive CAD skills (for example, AutoCAD or Revit).
• Understand and follow technical drafting standards and conventions.
• Understand and follow the Ontario Building Code (for architectural drafting).
• Have strong math skills.
• Have good attention to accuracy and detail.
• Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet and email software.

Source: Ontario Skills Passport

Language Skills

You need to communicate in person and in writing with team members. Your team can include architects, engineers, technicians, contractors and construction workers. You also need to read written notes and understand procedures.

Labour Market Information

Trends

Many new engineers and architects are now doing CAD tasks that used to be done by technicians and technologists. This means that there may be fewer jobs for drafting technicians/technologists in the future. The demand is also sensitive to the how the economy is doing. In addition, there is a possibility of some jobs being outsourced from overseas.

Prospects

The work prospects for this job are: FAIR

Comparison with other jobs in this profession

Job	Work Prospects
Chemical - Chemical Technologist and Technician	Good
Civil - Construction Project Coordinator	Fair
Civil - Drafting Technician and Technologist	Fair
Electrical - Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician and Technologist	Good
Civil - Construction Estimator	Good

Wages

The average hourly wage for this job is: C$25/hour.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession

Job	Average Wage/Hour
Chemical - Chemical Technologist and Technician	$23.65
Civil - Construction Project Coordinator	$33.65
Civil - Drafting Technician and Technologist	$25.00
Electrical - Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician and Technologist	$31.19
Civil - Construction Estimator	$29.33

Source: HRSDC

Retraining

Educational Programs

These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.

• Related programs at Ontario colleges
• Search for related programs at Canadian universities

Bridging Programs

Here is a list of some bridging programs. These programs can help you assess your education and skills, get practical training or improve your language skills so that you can work in your field.

• Engineering Connections: Software Skills Enhancement - Humber College
• Fast Track to Technology Occupations for Mechanical Engineering Technology – Centennial College
• Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualification Bridging Program (IEEQB) - Ryerson University
• See more bridging programs for engineers
• Bridging Programs for Internationally Trained Engineers – Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
• See more bridging programs for engineering technicians and technologists

Language Training

Here is a list of some language training programs, such as Enhanced Language Training (ELT) and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT).

• Enhanced Language Training for Engineering Professionals - Conestoga College
• Workplace Communication Skills for Technology

Work Experience Programs

Some bridging and college programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.

Voluntary Membership Opportunities

• Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
• Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
• Ontario General Contractors Association

Helpful Links

• Career Map for Engineers
• Information for Internationally-Trained Engineers
• Working as an Engineer in Canada
• Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO)
• Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)
  • OACETT Local Chapters
• Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario (AATO)
  • AATO Local Chapters
• Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
• Council for Access to the Profession of Engineering (CAPE)
• Engineers Canada
• Engineering Career Pathways

The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source for the most up-to-date information.