CAD Technician, CAD Technologist, Engineering Design and Drafting Technician, Structural Engineering Technician, Structural Engineering Technologist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $26.61 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $34.22 |
| Top | $43.02 |
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 CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) software and scientific calculators. They also do manual (traditional) drafting. They prepare:
The plans they create can be for many disciplines. Engineering plans can be for structural, mechanical, electrical, and process piping. Architectural plans can be for residential, industrial, institutional, commercial, and interior design.
Drafting technicians may also be involved in related activities, such as:
Drafting technicians may work for companies that specialize in:
Drafting technicians often work standard weekday hours in an open office setup. They spend a lot of time working with computers. They may work outside of standard hours to meet project deadlines. They may also need to visit construction sites.
Drafting technicians need to possess:
They should enjoy:
Many employers require a year of related post-secondary education. They may accept an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some programs can be completed in 6 to 8 weeks.
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 routinely apply industry-recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices. They use established engineering, geoscience or applied science principles and methods to solve problems. Duties may include testing, troubleshooting, inspecting, calibrating, drafting, maintaining, modelling, compiling, 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 ASET.
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 in Canada? and the ASET website.
To learn about the certification process for internationally educated technicians, see Mechanical Engineering Technician Certification Process [pdf] on the Opportunity Alberta website.
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600, 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Canada
Call: 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
Drafting technicians work for:
Drafting technicians’ work is similar to that of architectural technologists or engineering design and drafting technologists. However, their work is always supervised. They must work for several years before they can take on as much 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 [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the C153: Drafting Technologists and Technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 140 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.27 | $42.28 | $26.61 | $24.00 |
| Overall | $22.90 | $51.14 | $34.22 | $31.25 |
| Top | $25.00 | $68.15 | $43.02 | $40.00 |
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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.
| Public Administration | $74,028 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $71,177 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $68,099 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $65,378 |
| Construction | $62,251 |
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: www.aset.ab.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. 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.