CAD Technician/Technologist, Engineering Design and Drafting Technician, Structural Engineering Technician/Technologist
Interest in compiling data on dimensions, locations, elevations, cross-sections, projections and other details to verify completeness and accuracy of final drawings
Interest in assisting technologists and engineers to prepare engineering drawings, diagrams and layouts
Interest in precision working to operate computer-assisted drafting equipment and conventional drafting stations, and to use measuring instruments
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Drafting technicians use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) applications, scientific calculators and traditional manual drafting techniques to prepare:
They also may be involved in related activities such as:
Drafting technicians may work for companies that specialize in a wide variety of fields, including:
Drafting technicians usually work standard weekday hours in an office environment. They spend a considerable amount of time working with computers.
Drafting technicians need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, analyzing data and finding innovative solutions to problems, and working with equipment and instruments at tasks that require precision.
The minimum educational requirement is a year of related post-secondary education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Under general supervision, certified technicians undertake the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices. They use established engineering, geoscience or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Duties may typically include testing, troubleshooting, inspecting, calibrating, drafting, maintaining, modelling, compiling, estimating, surveying, ensuring quality control, supervising in the field and working in sales.
Under Alberta's Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (PDF) and ASET Regulation (PDF), you must be a registered member of the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to use the title Certified Technician (C.Tech.). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Technician.
Registration requires:
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
Technicians who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified technicians in the 2 jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
To learn about the certification process for internationally educated technicians, see Mechanical Engineering Technician Certification Process (PDF) on AlbertaCanada.com.
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600 - 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Phone: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Drafting technicians are employed by:
Drafting technicians do the same types of work as architectural technologists and engineering design and drafting technologists. However, they work under supervision and require several years of experience before they may assume the same level of responsibility as technologists.
Drafting technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2253: Drafting technologists and technicians. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 9,300 Albertans are employed in the Drafting technologists and technicians occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 140 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As drafting technicians form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for drafting technicians.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For more information see ASET's annual salary survey.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $43.00 | $25.28 | $24.04 |
| Overall | $24.00 | $52.28 | $34.03 | $32.00 |
| Top | $26.44 | $78.18 | $45.84 | $45.67 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET website: www.aset.ab.ca
Construction Sector Council website: www.csc-ca.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Dec 17, 2012. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.