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By Nsim Team
If you want to become a drafting technician, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for your skills, interests and personality traits. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a drafting technician:
• You enjoy using design software or specialized design instruments
• You enjoy preparing technical drawings, plans or 3D models
• You are able to read, analyze, and interpret engineering, architectural or design concepts
• You are able to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings
• You enjoy working closely with others on projects
Who is a Drafting Technician?
A drafting technician, also known as a Draftsperson, is responsible for interpreting the concepts of engineers, architects, planners and designers in a variety of industries.
They interpret the concepts of these professionals by using computer-aided design programs, as well as manual drafting techniques to prepare the following types of 2D or 3D plans and drawings:
• Engineering plans
• Architectural plans
• Flow diagrams
• Schematics
• Layouts
• Specifications
• Maps
• Detailed working drawings
• 3D displays
Education Needed to Become a Drafting Technician
If you want to become a drafting technician, you typically need a 2-year associate’s degree or diploma in a field related to drafting (such as Residential Drafting, Building Design or Technical Drawing) from a technical or community college.
If you want to work in a specific area of drafting, you should focus your education in one specialized type of drafting, such as mechanical or electrical drafting.
Choosing a program that will offer instruction in design fundamentals, sketching, and CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) software is crucial for becoming a drafting technician, regardless of what field you choose to specialize in.
Skills Needed to Become a Drafting Technician
In order to become effective in a career as a drafting technician, you need to posses a certain set of skills. These skills will allow you to perform your job duties with competence, and are likely listed required skills on drafting technician job postings.
• Knowledge of engineering, architectural, urban or other design principles
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
• Artistic ability
• Able to communicate design ideas and solutions clearly and concisely orally and in writing
• Able to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings
• Able to visualize the relationships between parts in machinery and systems
• Familiarity with use of measuring tools (laser meters, rulers, levels)
Who Creates Jobs for Drafting Technicians?
Drafting technicians are employed on a part-time, full-time or contractual basis by different types of organizations, including:
• Architectural firms
• Building fabricators and other manufacturing and assembly companies
• Electronic manufacturing companies
• Engineering consulting firms
• Land survey and geomatic companies
• Municipal, provincial/state and federal government departments
• Petrochemical, food processing, pulp and paper and energy companies
• Private machine design firms
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