Introduction to Drafting Design Career Opportunities Major Industries

Introduction to Drafting & Design Career Opportunities

Major Industries that Employ CADD Drafters Other Drafters 9% Electrical and Electronics Drafters 14% Architectural and Civil Drafters 46% Mechanical Drafters 31% Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008 -09 Edition, Drafters, on the Internet at http: //www. bls. gov/ocos 111. htm (visited June 10, 2009).

Job Titles & Hierarchy Senior Drafter CADD Technician Senior Drafter III CADD Technician II Drafter II CADD Technician I Drafting Trainee

Sequence for the Completion of Drafting Work Preliminary Design Layout and Rough Sketches Set of Working Drawings with Materials List and Specifications Check Corrections Engineer’s Approval Drawing Release Prints Made and Sent to Fabricators Revisions (When Needed)

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Drafting Occupation ADVANTAGES � � � Clean, indoor working conditions Open job market Lots of overtime available Sense of self-satisfaction Stepping stone for higher paying occupations Variety of challenging assignments DISADVANTAGES � � � � Confinement to one area Long hours at times of peak production Responsible to both management and production Rigid accountability for accuracy of work Knowledge of many technical fields required Very little physical exercise Rigid time limits for doing work

Skills and Personal Traits of a Successful Drafter SKILLS � � � Math skills Manual dexterity Communication skills Mechanical aptitude Ability to visualize threedimensional objects recorded on a twodimensional plane PERSONAL TRAITS � � � � Listens and follows instructions well Is punctual Works well with others Works unsupervised Is accurate and fast in executing work Accepts constructive criticism Is attentive to detail