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Drafting Technologists and Technicians (2253)

Occupation targeted under the Workplace Apprenticeship Program

Please note that detailed information for each of the occupations under the Workplace Apprenticeship Program is only available in French.

Among the occupations currently in highest demand in All of Québec

The English text is currently unavailable. Please refer to the French text below.

Qualification and skills most often required

Un diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en dessin de bâtiment ou en dessin industriel ou un diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) en techniques de la mécanique du bâtiment, de génie mécanique, du génie civil ou en technologie de l’architecture peuvent être requis selon le secteur d’activité de l’entreprise. Le Programme d’apprentissage en milieu de travail (PAMT) d’Emploi-Québec, en dessin de structures métalliques, peut aussi constituer un moyen d’accéder à cette profession. La connaissance de certains logiciels en conception et dessin assistés par ordinateur (ex. : Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Online, Mitek, Alpine, AutoCAD 2D-3D, SDS2, Advance, Inventor, Sigmanest, In Road, Micro Station 8.4, Trustar, Revit, Foretruss) est recherchée. La maîtrise des outils informatiques (suite Office, Internet) est demandée. Des aptitudes en communication orale et écrite et en lecture de plans sont recherchées, de même que l’autonomie, l’entregent, le sens des responsabilités, la fiabilité et l’honnêteté. Une expérience de travail liée aux appels d’offres, aux devis et aux soumissions est un atout.

Reason for labor demand

La demande de main-d’œuvre vient surtout du secteur manufacturier (produits métalliques, structures d’acier, structures de bois, armoires, meubles, matériaux de construction, fabrication de matériel de transport, etc.), du secteur de la construction résidentielle, commerciale ou industrielle, de même que du secteur des services aux entreprises (services de génie-conseil, d’architecture, de dessin).

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Nature of work

Drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs, drawings and related technical information, in multidisciplinary engineering teams or in support of engineers, architects or industrial designers, or they may work independently. They are employed by consulting and construction companies, utility, resource and manufacturing companies, all levels of government and by a wide range of other establishments.

Fields of interest

  • Crunching numbers
  • Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

  • Drafting technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Develop and prepare engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data
  • - Operate computer-assisted design (CAD) and drafting workstations
  • - Develop and prepare design sketches
  • - Complete documentation packages and produce drawing sets
  • - Check and verify design drawings to conform to specifications and design data
  • - Write technical reports
  • - Prepare contracts and tender documents
  • - Prepare construction specifications, costs and material estimates
  • - Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters.
  • Drafting technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Develop and prepare engineering drawings, plans, diagrams or layouts from sketches
  • - Operate computer-assisted drafting equipment or a conventional drafting station

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • * Completion of a two- to three-year college program in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field is usually required for drafting and design technologists.
  • * Completion of a one- to two-year college program in drafting
  • or
  • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
  • or
  • Four to five years of related experience plus completion of college or industry courses in drafting are usually required for drafting technicians.
  • * Trade certification for draftspersons is available, but voluntary in Ontario.
  • * Certification in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians may be required by employers.
  • * A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Skill type

  • Natural and applied sciences and related fields

Skill level

  • Technical

More information

  • * Mobility is possible to civil, mechanical, electrical or other engineering design technologies through educational or work specialization.
  • * Senior and supervisory drafting and design technology workers require experience.

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

Professional associations

  • Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (OTPQ)
  • 1265, rue Berri, bureau 720
  • Montréal, QC
  • H2L4X4
  • Toll free: 1-800-561-3459
  • Phone: 514-845-3247 Extension: 118
  • Fax: 514-845-3643
  • Email: info@otpq.qc.ca