Draftperson
What's it like to be a Draftperson?
A Draftsperson or a Drafter works closely with an entire team of Architects, Engineers, and Designers. They collate drawings and specifications, and they identify material and equipment requirements, as well as calculating the overall cost of a project. They can specialize in a particular field or industry where their expertise will help propel projects forward. Such industries include architecture, aviation, civil construction, electrics, and film and television. A Draftsperson is also adept in using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Tasks and duties
- Liaising with Architects, Engineers, and other contractors to collect structural requirements and designs.
- Preparing rough sketches and intricate renditions of them using CAD systems.
- Creating diagrams to illustrate the workflow and to act as a guide.
- Suggesting materials for construction purposes.
- Reviewing and redrafting sketches alongside the engineering team.
- Identifying dimensions, weight limits and demands in the materials.
- Designing manuals that show the existing products’ specifications, features, and maintenance.
- Ensuring that the final drafts adhere to regulations and quality standards.
How to become a Draftperson
Being a Draftsperson requires sufficient knowledge and understanding about construction and its processes. Experience in various industries through apprenticeships or on-the-job training may be beneficial.
Take the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) strand during your two years of senior high school. During this time, you can take courses in math, art and computer science.
After completing your secondary school certificate, you can choose to pursue on-the-job training as an apprentice under a professional Draftsperson.
Choose which industry you would like to work in, and consider pursuing an associate degree or a bachelor degree in architecture or engineering.
Look for employment opportunities in various industries.
If your local community has any ongoing projects regarding construction, you may also volunteer to expand your knowledge and experience in the field.
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