How to become an Engineering Draftsperson
Does this sound like you? A great eye for design and strong creative skills with an interest in sketching and 3D modelling? If the answer is yes, you should consider a career as an engineering draftsperson!
What is an engineering draftsperson?
An engineering draftsperson works with design and engineering professionals in order to accomplish different civil and general engineering projects. They use software to convert engineering designs into detailed plans and drawings.
As an engineering draftsperson, you would generally operate different computer aided design (CAD) and 3D imaging software to produce technical designs, working drawings, charts, forms and records. You are also tasked with drawing rough and detailed scale plans based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data.
Aside from their technical responsibilities, engineering draftspersons also analyse building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements and other technical documents and reports in order to determine their effects on different engineering designs. They must also come up with ways to present engineering designs and drawings so that they graphically represent building plans.
Being an engineering draftsperson would require you to identify, analyse and solve technical problems so you would need to have excellent problem solving skills and the ability to produce accurate and detailed work. You would also need to have an understanding of different building materials and methods.
Strong computing skills are also important for the job because you will be working with different design softwares and drawing applications. As an engineering draftsperson you will be collaborating with other engineering professionals so you need to have good oral and written communication skills.
Hours and conditions:
Engineering drafters would usually work full time in an office and on project sites. Although you would spend most of your time working on a computer, you may be required to visit construction or mining sites in order to coordinate with other professionals working on the project such as engineers, architects and construction managers. Doing site work would be in all weathers and may involve a lot of traveling and spending time away from home.
How to become an engineering draftsperson: qualifications
To become an architectural draftsperson, you would usually need to complete a VET qualification in civil construction design. Distance education is usually available.
To look at courses that will help you find a role as an engineering draftsperson, check out
https://www.careerhq.com.au/careers-database
Future job outlook
The employment prospects of engineering drafters is projected to show little or no change in the coming years. Although construction projects will likely increase demand for engineering drafters, more and more firms are turning to computer aided design and drafting (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) software and these will likely reduce the need for engineering drafters.
More technical professionals are using CAD systems that are user-friendly and more powerful than current systems and this has replaced the work previously done by drafters. Furthermore, more firms are outsourcing their drafting work to other countries that offer lower wages.
https://careerhq.com.au/careers-database/job_details/904/engineering-draftsperson-civilgeneral