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 * ==Engineering Design and Drafting Technologist== || **Produced NOVEMBER 2007** ||


 * Engineering design and drafting technologists develop engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts and specifications, and prepare technical reports, construction specifications, cost/materials estimates and contract/tender documents. ||


 * **Also Known As:** || CAD Technician/Technologist, Pressure Vessel Designer, Structural Engineering Technician/Technologist ||
 * **NOC Number(s):** || 2253.1 ||
 * **Minimum Education:** || 2 years post-secondary education/training ||
 * [|**Employment Outlook:**] || Job openings due to employment turnover. Occupational outlook currently unavailable. ||
 * [|**Interests:**] || M I O ||

Duties | Working Conditions | Personal Characteristics | Education | Other Requirements | Employment | Salary | Other Information | Related Occupations | Related School Subjects | Related Field of Study ||

This involves using prescribed methods of design and applying industry standards, codes and regulations. Engineering design and drafting technologists also are involved in related activities such as: Specific duties and responsibilities vary depending on the field in which engineering design and drafting technologists work. For example, they may work for companies specializing in:
 * ||  ||
 * Engineering design and drafting technologists usually work as part of a team of engineers and other professionals. They use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) applications, scientific calculators and other equipment to prepare:
 * engineering plans
 * flow diagrams and schematics
 * layouts
 * specifications
 * maps
 * detailed construction or assembly drawings.
 * estimating project materials and costs
 * administering contracts
 * preparing and interpreting specifications
 * writing reports
 * supervising the work of technicians.
 * highway design
 * subdivision design
 * mapping
 * environmental consulting
 * urban and regional planning
 * industrial control and automation
 * process design
 * machine design
 * pressure vessel design
 * piping design
 * electrical design
 * heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) design. ||

Senior technologists also may be involved in field and site work, and project supervision. ||
 * ||  ||
 * Engineering design and drafting technologists usually work in office environments. They generally work standard office hours although overtime occasionally may be required to meet deadlines.

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. ||
 * ||  ||
 * Engineering design and drafting technologists need the following characteristics:
 * the ability to pay close attention to detail and be precise and accurate
 * good eye-hand co-ordination and manual dexterity
 * the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings and visualize the relationships between parts in machinery and systems
 * the ability to communicate design ideas and solutions clearly and concisely orally and in writing
 * an aptitude for mathematics and physics
 * problem solving skills.

In Alberta, the following institutions offer two year Engineering Design and Drafting diploma programs: Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis. For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites. ||
 * ||  ||
 * The minimum educational requirement is a related two year technical diploma or a university degree. For information about diploma programs in specific fields, see the [|Avionics Technician], [|Civil Engineering Technologist], [|Electrical Engineering Technologist], [|Electronics Engineering Technologist], [|Geomatics/Surveying Technologist], [|Industrial Designer], [|Mapping Technologist], [|Mechanical Engineering Technologist], and [|Community and Park Planners] occupational profiles.
 * **[|Lethbridge College]**. Entrance requirements include Pure Math 30 (or 65 per cent in Applied Math 30), Physics 20 (or Science 30), at least 60 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, and a basic understanding of computer technology.
 * **[|Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)]** in Edmonton. Entrance requirements include English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Pure Math 30 and one of the following: Science 30, Physics 30 or Chemistry 30. Students presenting Applied Math 30 may be required to upgrade. Part of this program is available through Continuing Education.
 * **[|Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)]** in Calgary. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with Pure Math 30, English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, and one of the following: Science 30 or Physics 20.


 * || section revised OCTOBER 2009 ||
 * Certification with the [|Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET] is voluntary. Certified Engineering Technologists often practice in integrated work teams. Professional Technologists (Engineering) are licensed by ASET to practice independently. ||

Experienced technologists may advance to supervisory and management positions, or establish their own design and drafting companies. There are international employment opportunities with engineering consulting firms operating outside of Canada. Engineering design and drafting technologists are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 2253: Drafting Technologists and Technicians. In Alberta, 76 per cent 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: Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years. ||
 * || section revised JANUARY 2009 ||
 * Engineering design and drafting technologists are employed by:
 * machine design firms
 * engineering consulting firms
 * municipal, provincial and federal government departments
 * construction, manufacturing and assembly companies
 * companies in the petrochemical, food processing, pulp and paper, and energy industries
 * electronic manufacturing companies
 * concrete, steel, timber and precast companies.
 * [|**Professional, Scientific and Technical Services**]
 * [|**Manufacturing**].
 * trends and **events** affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
 * **[|location]** in Alberta
 * **[|employment turnover]** (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
 * **[|occupational growth]** (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
 * **[|size of the occupation].**

For more detailed information, see [|**WAGEinfo**] and [|**ASET's Annual Salary Surveys**]. ||
 * || section revised JANUARY 2010 ||
 * According to the **[|2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey]**, Albertans in the Drafting Technologists and Technicians occupational group earned from $11.20 to $60.10 an hour. The average wage was $31.65 an hour.

EDinfo website: [|www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo] Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET website: [|www.aset.ab.ca] Construction Sector Council website: [|www.csc-ca.org] ||
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 * Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)


 * ||
 * Architectural Technologist ||
 * Avionics Technician ||
 * Career and Technology Studies Teacher ||
 * Civil Engineering Technologist ||
 * Community and Park Planners ||
 * Drafting Technician ||
 * Electrical Engineering Technologist ||
 * Electronics Engineering Technologist ||
 * Geomatics Technologist ||
 * Industrial Designer ||
 * Mapping Technologist ||
 * Mechanical Engineering Technologist ||
 * Steel Detailer ||


 * ||
 * Construction Technologies; Design Studies; Electro-Technologies; Energy and Mines; Fabrication Studies; Information Processing; Language Arts; Mathematics; Mechanics; and Science (Physics) ||


 * ||
 * Engineering and Science Technologies ||


 * Top of Profile ||

For more information on career planning, occupations and educational programs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website at [|alis.alberta.ca], call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton or visit an Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre near you. The information contained in this profile was current as of the dates shown. **Salaries, employment outlook** and **educational programs** may change. Please check the information before making any career decisions. ||


 * © Government of Alberta, Employment and Immigration ||

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