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| Drafters
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| Significant Points |
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- The type and quality of postsecondary drafting programs vary
considerably; prospective students should be careful in selecting
a program.
- Opportunities should be best for individuals who have at least
2 years of postsecondary training in drafting and considerable
skill and experience using computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems.
- Demand for particular drafting specializations varies
geographically, depending on the needs of local industry.
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| Nature of the
Work |
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section] |
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| Drafters prepare
technical drawings and plans used by production and construction
workers to build everything from manufactured products, such as
toys, toasters, industrial machinery, or spacecraft, to structures,
such as houses, office buildings, or oil and gas pipelines. Their
drawings provide visual guidelines, showing the technical details of
the products and structures and specifying dimensions, materials to
be used, and procedures and processes to be followed. Drafters fill
in technical details, using drawings, rough sketches,
specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by Engineers,
surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, they use their
knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details
of a structure. Some drafters use their knowledge of engineering and
manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine in
order to determine design elements, such as the number and kind of
fasteners needed to assemble it. They use technical
Handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to do this.
Traditionally, drafters sat at drawing boards and used pencils,
pens, compasses, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices
to prepare a drawing manually. Most drafters now use computer-aided
drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. Consequently, some
drafters are referred to as CAD operators. CAD systems employ
computer workstations to create a drawing on a video screen. The
drawings are stored electronically so that revisions or duplications
can be made easily. These systems also permit drafters to easily and
quickly prepare variations of a design. Although drafters use CAD
extensively, it is only a tool. Persons who produce technical
drawings using CAD still function as drafters, and need the
knowledge of traditional drafters—relating to drafting skills and
standards—in addition to CAD skills. Despite the near-universal use
of CAD systems, manual drafting still is used in certain
applications.
Drafting work has many specialties, and titles may denote a
particular discipline of design or drafting. Aeronautical
drafters prepare engineering drawings detailing plans and
specifications used for the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, and
related parts.
Architectural drafters draw architectural and structural
features of buildings and other structures. They may specialize by
the type of structure, such as residential or commercial, or by the
kind of material used, such as reinforced concrete, masonry, steel,
or timber.
Civil drafters prepare drawings and topographical and
relief maps used in major construction or civil engineering
projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control
projects, and water and sewage systems.
Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams
used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical equipment
and wiring in communication centers, powerplants, electrical
distribution systems, and buildings.
Electronic drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuitboard
assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the
manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and
components.
Mechanical drafters prepare detail and assembly drawings
of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating
dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.
Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare
drawings used for layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas
fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems.
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| Working
Conditions |
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| Drafters usually work
in comfortable offices furnished to accommodate their tasks. They
may sit at adjustable drawing boards or drafting tables when doing
manual drawings, although most drafters work at computer terminals
much of the time. Because they spend long periods in front of
computer terminals doing detailed work, drafters may be susceptible
to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems. |
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| Employment |
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| Drafters held
about 213,000 jobs in 2000. More than 40 percent of drafters worked
in engineering and architectural services firms that design
construction projects or do other engineering work on a contract
basis for organizations in other industries. Another 29 percent
worked in durable goods manufacturing industries, such as machinery,
electrical equipment, and fabricated metals. The remainder were
mostly employed in the construction; government; transportation,
communications, and utilities; and personnel-supply services
industries. About 10,000 were self-employed in 2000. |
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| Training,
Other Qualifications, and Advancement |
[About this section] |
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| Employers prefer
applicants who have completed postsecondary school training in
drafting, which is offered by technical institutes, community
colleges, and some 4-year colleges and universities. Employers are
most interested in applicants who have well-developed drafting and
mechanical drawing skills; a knowledge of drafting standards,
mathematics, science, and engineering technology; and a solid
background in computer-aided drafting and design techniques. In
addition, communication and problem-solving skills are important.
Individuals planning careers in drafting should take courses in
math, science, computer technology, design or computer graphics, and
any high school drafting courses available. Mechanical ability and
visual aptitude also are important. Prospective drafters should be
able to draw three-dimensional objects as well as draw freehand.
They also should do detailed work accurately and neatly. Artistic
ability is helpful in some specialized fields, as is knowledge of
manufacturing and construction methods. In addition, prospective
drafters should have good interpersonal skills because they work
closely with Engineers,
surveyors, architects, other professionals, and sometimes customers.
Training and coursework differ somewhat within the drafting
specialties. The initial training for each specialty is similar. All
incorporate math and communication skills, for example, but
coursework relating to the specialty varies. In an electronics
drafting program, for example, students learn the ways that
electronic components and circuits are depicted in drawings.
Entry-level or junior drafters usually do routine work under
close supervision. After gaining experience, intermediate-level
drafters progress to more difficult work with less supervision. They
may be required to exercise more judgment and perform calculations
when preparing and modifying drawings. Drafters may eventually
advance to senior drafter, designer, or supervisor. Many employers
pay for continuing education and, with appropriate college degrees,
drafters may go on to become Engineering
Technicians, Engineers, or
architects.
Many types of publicly and privately operated schools provide
some form of drafting training. The kind and quality of programs
vary considerably. Therefore, prospective students should be careful
in selecting a program. They should contact prospective employers
regarding their preferences and ask schools to provide information
about the kinds of jobs obtained by graduates, type and condition of
instructional facilities and equipment, and faculty qualifications.
Technical institutes offer intensive technical training but less
general education than junior and community colleges. Certificates
or diplomas based on completion of a certain number of course hours
may be rewarded. Many technical institutes offer 2-year associate
degree programs, which are similar to, or part of, the programs
offered by community colleges or State university systems. Other
technical institutes are run by private, often for-profit,
organizations, sometimes called proprietary schools. Their programs
vary considerably in both length and type of courses offered.
Community colleges offer curriculums similar to those in
technical institutes but include more courses on theory and liberal
arts. Often, there is little or no difference between technical
institute and community college programs. However, courses taken at
community colleges are more likely to be accepted for credit at
4-year colleges than are those at technical institutes. After
completing a 2-year associate degree program, graduates may obtain
jobs as drafters or continue their education in a related field at
4-year colleges. Four-year colleges usually do not offer drafting
training, but college courses in engineering, architecture, and
mathematics are useful for obtaining a job as a drafter.
Area vocational-technical schools are postsecondary public
institutions that serve local students and emphasize training needed
by local employers. Many offer introductory drafting instruction.
Most require a high school diploma, or its equivalent, for
admission.
Technical training obtained in the Armed Forces also can be
applied in civilian drafting jobs. Some additional training may be
necessary, depending on the technical area or military specialty.
The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) has established a
certification program for drafters. Although drafters usually are
not required to be certified by employers, certification
demonstrates that the understanding of nationally recognized
practices and knowledge standards have been met. Individuals who
wish to become certified must pass the Drafter Certification Test,
which is administered periodically at ADDA-authorized testsites.
Applicants are tested on their knowledge and understanding of basic
drafting concepts such as geometric construction, working drawings,
and architectural terms and standards.
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| Job
Outlook |
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| Employment of
drafters is expected to Grow about as fast as
the average for all occupations through 2010. Industrial growth
and increasingly complex design problems associated with new
products and manufacturing processes will increase the demand for
drafting services. Further, drafters are beginning to break out of
the traditional drafting role and increasingly do work traditionally
performed by Engineers and
architects, thus increasing the need for drafters. However, the
greater use of CAD equipment by drafters, as well as by architects
and Engineers,
should limit demand for lesser-skilled drafters. In addition to
those created by employment growth, many job openings are expected
to arise as drafters move to other occupations or leave the labor
force.
Opportunities should be best for individuals who have at least 2
years of postsecondary training in a drafting program that provides
strong technical skills, and who have considerable skill and
experience using CAD systems. CAD has increased the complexity of
drafting applications while enhancing the productivity of drafters.
It also has enhanced the nature of drafting by creating more
possibilities for design and drafting. As technology continues to
advance, employers will look for drafters with a strong background
in fundamental drafting principles, a higher level of technical
sophistication, and an ability to apply this knowledge to a broader
range of responsibilities.
Demand for particular drafting specialties varies throughout the
country because employment usually is contingent upon the needs of
local industry. Employment of drafters remains highly concentrated
in industries that are sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy,
such as engineering and architectural services and durable-goods
manufacturing. During recessions, drafters may be laid off. However,
a growing number of drafters should continue to be employed on a
temporary or contract basis, as more companies turn to the
personnel-supply services industry to meet their changing needs. |
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| Earnings |
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| Earnings for
drafters vary by specialty and level of responsibility. Median
hourly earnings of architectural and civil drafters were $16.93 in
2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $13.79 and $20.86. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.18, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $26.13. Median hourly earnings of
architectural and civil drafters in engineering and architectural
services in 2000 were $16.75.
Median hourly earnings of electrical and electronics drafters
were $18.37 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.19 and
$23.76. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.30, and the
highest 10 percent earned more than $29.46. In engineering and
architectural services, the average hourly earnings for electrical
and electronics drafters were $17.30.
Median hourly earnings of mechanical drafters were $18.19 in
2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.43 and $23.20. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.70, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $28.69. The average hourly earnings for
mechanical drafters in engineering and architectural services were
$16.98. |
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| Related
Occupations |
[About this section] |
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| Other
workers who prepare or analyze detailed drawings and make precise
calculations and measurements include Architects, Except
Landscape and Naval; Landscape
Architects; Designers; Engineers; Engineering
Technicians; Science Technicians;
and Surveyors,
Cartographers, Photogrammetrists, and Surveying Technicians. |
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| Sources of
Additional Information |
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| Information on schools
offering programs in drafting and related fields is available from:
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of
Technology, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302, Arlington, VA 22201.
Internet: http://www.accsct.org/
Information about certification is available from:
American Design Drafting Association, P.O. Box 11937, Columbia,
SC 29211. Internet: http://www.adda.org/
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| O*NET
Codes |
[About the O*NET codes] |
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17-3011.01,
17-3011.02, 17-3012.01, 17-3012.02, 17-3013.00 |
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