A Michigan Careers, Colleges, & Training service.

Drafters make detailed drawings of buildings, products, and machinery from sketches and specifications made by engineers, architects, and designers. The finished drawings are used as working plans for engineering, manufacturing, and construction purposes.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Drafters may:

Prepare complete and accurate work plans and detailed drawings from rough or detailed sketches or notes

Prepare final drawings and check dimensions of parts, materials to be used and the relation of parts to each other and to the whole structure

Make any changes necessary or desired on a drawing

Trace drawings in ink

Draw charts to represent statistical data

Draw the finished design from sketches

Reproduce working drawings on copy machines

Use computer-aided design equipment

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Drafters may specialize in these areas:

001.261-010 ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTERS draw plans which show the architectural and structural details of buildings and other structures.

005.281-010 CIVIL DRAFTERS prepare detailed construction drawings, topographical profiles, related maps, and specification sheets used in planning and constructing highways and in flood control, drainage, and other civil engineering projects.

017.261-026 COMMERCIAL DRAFTERS lay out building locations; plan arrangements in offices, large rooms, and factories; and prepare charts, forms, and records.

003.281-010 ELECTRICAL DRAFTERS prepare wiring diagrams and drawings of electrical equipment for use by workers who build, install, and repair electrical equipment and wiring in a variety of settings.

003.281-014 ELECTRONIC DRAFTERS prepare detailed drawings, such as wiring diagrams, layout, drawings, mechanical detail drawings, and drawings of intermediate and final assemblies, used in the manufacture, assembly, installation, and repair of printed circuit boards and electronic components and equipment.

007.281-010 MECHANICAL DRAFTERS prepare drawings of machinery and mechanical devices indicating dimensions and tolerances, fastening and joining requirements, and other engineering data.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following CEscripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Drafters may work alone or as members of a drafting team under the direction or supervision of a more experienced Drafter, chief Drafter, or project director. Depending on their place of employment and their particular job, Drafters may work under the supervision of an engineer or architect.

Drafters either sit or stand at drafting tables or CAD (computer aided design)  work stations in well lighted rooms. They may work in large rooms with many other Drafters or in a small room by themselves. Sometimes they may work at construction sites, in machine shops, or other places where their drawings are required.

Drafting work can be demanding and requires close attention to detail. Many hours may be spent leaning over tables working on large drawings or at computer keyboards. Fatigue and eyestrain may result from the close work and concentration.

Drafters generally work a 5-day, 35- to 40-hour week. Some over-time may be necessary during busy periods or when deadlines must be met. During economic downturns, however, Drafters may be laid off until the condition of the economy improves.

Drafters may belong to professional associations such as The Association of Structural Draftsman of America and The American Design and Drafting Association. Those who belong to associations are generally required to pay membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific or technical nature

• Activities which involve machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Rate information according to measurable standards

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Understand and apply technical knowledge involved in drafting

• Understand and apply theoretical principles involved in drafting

• Work under pressure

• Concentrate for long periods of time

• Perform mathematical computations accurately

• Visualize 3-dimensional objects from drawings or pictures

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are asked to design a circular tank that will hold 4,000 liters of water. If 1 cubic meter can hold 1,000 liters, find the required volume of the tank.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

When lines coincide in the projection of multi-view drawings, the following priority list will govern precedence of lines: visible; invisible; cutting plane; center; break; dimension and extension; section or crosshatching.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Document and justify the reasons for presenting your drawing as a contour or shape of object blueprint versus a multi-view drawing including projection of angles.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in creating drawings and designs.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the CEscript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

029 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Manufacturing Technology prepare students for one or more occupations in manufacturing. The cluster of courses provides for occupational competence which can be applied to many job titles in manufacturing. Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

046 DRAFTING AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Drafting & Design Technology prepare students to plan, prepare, and interpret sketches; use special equipment and materials to produce charts and drawings; to develop models; and prepare reports and data sheets for writing specifications for a job. Instruction may be specific for areas such as architectural drafting, electrical/electronic drafting, and/or mechanical drafting.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of programs at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

047 DRAFTING

Programs in Drafting provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in any of the many architectural, engineering, and manufacturing fields that require detailed drawings of structures, products, and machinery. Individuals who teach Drafting at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

195 COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Programs in Computer-Aided Design provide opportunities to supplement design and drafting skills with specialized computer-graphic skills. Persons trained to use Computer-Aided Design systems may find employment in the engineering, architectural, and manufacturing fields.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

 ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

016 DRAFTER

Some people enter occupations within this CEscript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

Apprenticeship programs for this occupation usually include:

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

SURVEYING, MAPPING, AND DRAFTING TECHNICIANS

The military builds and repairs many airstrips, docks, barracks, roads, and other projects each year. Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians conduct land surveys, make maps, and prepare detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. Surveys and maps are also used to locate military targets and plot troop movements.

What They Do

Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Draw maps and charts using drafting tools such as easels, templates, and compasses

• Make scale drawings of roads, airfields, buildings, and other military projects

• Conduct land surveys and compute survey results

• Draw diagrams for wiring and plumbing of structures

• Build scale models of land areas that show hills, lakes, roads, and buildings

• Piece together aerial photographs to form large photomaps

Work Environment

Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians work both indoors and outdoors in all climates and weather conditions. Those assigned to engineering units sometimes work outdoors with survey teams. Those assigned to intelligence units may work on ships as well as on land.

Physical Demands

Good depth perception is required to study aerial photos through stereoscopes. Normal color vision is required to work with color-coded maps and drawings.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to convert ideas into drawings

• Interest in maps and charts

• Ability to print and draw neatly

• Interest in working with drafting equipment

Training Provided

Job training consists of 9 to 31 weeks of classroom instruction, depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Surveying and drafting techniques

• Aerial photo interpretation

• Architectural and structural drawing

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians work for construction, engineering, and architectural firms and government agencies such as the highway department. Their work is used for planning construction projects such as highways, airport runways, dams, and drainage systems. Surveyors and map makers are also called cartographers, cartographic technicians, and photogrammetrists.

Opportunities

The military has about 4,000 surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians. On average, the services need about 450 surveying, mapping and drafting technicians each year. After job training, technicians make simple drawings, trace photos, perform basic survey duties, or help make maps under close supervision. With experience, they work more independently. Eventually, they may supervise mapmaking laboratories, surveying teams, or construction units.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in drafting and design technology or manufacturing technology, as well as community college drafting and computer-aided design (CAD) programs, may offer co-op or work experience opportunities. Experience can also be gained through summer and part-time work, a formal apprenticeship program, or military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Drafter employer

internships

volunteer work with a Drafter employer

community service work with an agency

Direct application to employers is the most common way to obtain a job as a Drafter. Civil Service tests are required for positions with government agencies. Assistance may be available from school/college placement offices, newspaper want ads, and apprenticeship specialists at a community college or local office of Michigan Works!. The American Design Drafting Association also lists openings in its monthly publication, "Design and Drafting News". In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

American Design Drafting Association

Building Industry Exchange

Michigan Careers, Colleges, & Training

Michigan Talent Bank

America’s Job Bank

Yahoo!hotjobs

Classifieds Employment

CareerBuilder

MONSTER.COM

           You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Drafters depend on their education and experience and the location and type of the company for which they work. The highest earnings of all Drafters' wages are found in urban areas and for Drafters working in manufacturing companies. Experienced Drafters operating computer-aided design equipment generally have higher salaries than other drafters.

Nationally, the median annual earnings of Drafters were $39,364 (2003). Many Computer-assisted Drafters (CAD) in the United States earned an average salary of $36,300 per year (mid 2004). Drafters working for private employers earned annual average salaries ranging from $31,300 to $53,100 depending on their level of responsibility and experience.  The median yearly earnings of “all” workers in the U.S. were $32,240 in 2003.

Drafters with an associate degree employed by the federal government in 2004 had starting salaries of $21,266 per year. Those with less education and no experience began at $18,944. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Yearly earnings for CAD Drafters in early 2004 were:

In mid 2004, drafting assistants employed by the State of Michigan earned between $24,367 and $36,373 per year. Drafting technicians earned between $26,476 and $50,926.

The 2002 graduates of Michigan vocational education programs working in jobs related to drafting earned an estimated beginning average of $21,133 per year in 2003.

Apprentices in a drafting program usually begin at about 40% of a fully qualified Drafter's wage at the beginning of their apprenticeship.

Fringe benefits received by Drafters depend on the size and type of company worked for and the length of time the Drafter has worked there. Most Drafters receive paid holidays, vacations, and sick leave; health, accident, and dental insurance; and pensions. Some employers may also offer stock purchase or savings plans.

Drafters without experience or postsecondary technical training usually start out as tracers or detailers. Some may begin as apprentices. It usually takes 3 to 4 years for beginning Drafters to become qualified Drafters. Some Drafters may complete college programs which allow them to become technicians, engineers, or architects. These professions require more education and training than drafting.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 208,000 Drafters employed in 2002. Employment is expected to show little or no change through the year 2012. About 11.3% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Drafters looked like this: