Becoming a Drafter

Drafters or draftspeople prepare technical drawings and plans to convey precise technical information. In engineering, design draftspeople use design specifications produced by engineers to calculate the size, strength, and weight of components. Detail draftspeople produce drawings to enable specialists to manufacture products. In construction, drafting skills are used in architecture, cartography, civil engineering, and building services. Draftspeople increasingly use computers, particularly CAD (computer-aided design).

The Job:

Engineering draftspeople produce technical drawings covering all aspects of mechanical engineering, such as machinery, power plants, car manufacturing and electrical and electronic engineering, such as circuit and electrical installation drawing.

There are two principal categories of draftspeople: design and detail. Design draftspeople use drawings and design specifications produced by engineers to produce the precise design of components. They liaise with production staff to ensure that the design can be manufactured in an economical and efficient way and they may check that products meet safety requirements. They produce general arrangements (drawings to scale) of the items, either through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) or at a traditional drawing board.

Design draftspeople also prepare specifications for detail draftspeople and may supervise their work. Detail draftspeople produce the drawings used by specialists to manufacture products. They refine the general arrangement drawings by using a different scale or a series of drawings for production. Draftspeople often progress from detail to design.

Draftspeople are usually office-based personnel although their work does involve visits to the factory floor. They usually work normal office hours, Mondays to Fridays, with occasional overtime.

In construction, architectural technicians research and analyze the technical information required for building design and prepare scale plans of buildings showing their interior layout and, sometimes, the external appearance of buildings. Their drawings are used by builders or by clients when constructing buildings. In civil engineering, surveying technicians create plans relating to construction projects by surveying sites and analyzing topographical information. Structural engineering technicians draw plans for structures using steel, concrete, and other materials.

In building servicing, drafting work includes drawing plans for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Cartographic technicians specialize in map drawing.

Training Involved:

Draftspeople can start training with basic school-leaving qualifications, although minimum standards are usually required in certain subjects. These subjects could include mathematics, English, and a science or technology related subject. In some countries, these subjects must be gained with good pass grades. Those with fewer qualifications may still be eligible to train, but the period of training will then be longer.

Some companies prefer to recruit trainees who have gained additional vocational qualifications.

Training usually takes 3 to 4 years. This may involve finding a job or internship and then undertaking part-time study for relevant qualifications, which vary from country to country. Alternatively, it is possible to study at a full-time college course, which usually lasts for 2 years. Entry requirements for these courses are usually the same as the part-time study route.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: mathematics, English, science, or technology subjects. (Some positions may require normal color vision.)

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Drafter ranges from $38,151 to $58,970 annually, while the median salary for most Drafters is $47,702 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

There are opportunities for draftspeople to work in a wide range of engineering and construction industries and public sector organizations. Opportunities exist in small organizations to large, multi national concerns. It may also be possible for draftspeople to find work in other countries. There are opportunities for self employment. There is no maximum age limit for this type of work and there are reasonable prospects for adult entry.

It is anticipated that the increased use of computer technology will lead to a greater demand for drafting services. However, since CAD systems increase an individual's productivity, they are unlikely to lead to an increase in jobs. In fact, opportunities for detail draftspeople have declined with the advent of CAD.

Promotion is usually from detail to design work. However, in some organizations, drafters may do both design and detail work. It is possible for draftspeople to undertake study for further professional examinations to become, for example, chartered engineers, architects, surveyors, or building services engineers. Some draftspeople move into specialist technical areas with management responsibility.

For further information, contact a relevant professional body, such as an association, faculty, institute, or society of engineering, architecture, or surveying, as appropriate.