Mission Statement
The mission of the Drafting Technology program is to prepare students to enter the drafting field with a wide range of skills in computer-aided design (CAD) applicable to architectural, mechanical, and landscape design settings.
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Work Environment
Drafters usually work in comfortable offices. Because they spend long periods in front of computers doing detailed work, drafters may be susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems. Most drafters work a standard 40-hour week; only a small number work part time.
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Nature of the Work
Drafters' drawings provide visual guidelines and show how to construct a product or structure. Drawings include technical details and specify dimensions, materials, and procedures. Drafters fill in technical details using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, and calculations made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, many drafters use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details of structures. Some use their understanding of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine; they determine design elements, such as the numbers and kinds of fasteners needed to assemble the machine. Drafters use technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to complete their work.
Most drafters use Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. Consequently, some drafters may be referred to as CAD operators. With CAD systems, drafters can create and store drawings electronically so that they can be viewed, printed, or programmed directly into automated manufacturing systems. CAD systems also permit drafters to quickly prepare variations of a design. Although drafters use CAD extensively, they still need knowledge of traditional drafting techniques in order to fully understand and explain concepts.
Architectural drafters draw architectural and structural features of buildings for new construction projects. These workers may specialize in a type of building, such as residential or commercial, or in a kind of material used, such as reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, or timber. Mechanical drafters prepare drawings showing the detail and method of assembly of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.
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Employment
Drafters held about 251,900 jobs nationally in 2008. Architectural and civil drafters held 47 percent of these jobs, mechanical drafters held about 31 percent, and electrical and electronics drafters held about 13 percent. About 52 percent of all jobs for drafters were in architectural, engineering, and related services firms that design construction projects or do other engineering work on a contract basis for other industries. Another 24 percent of jobs were in manufacturing industries such as machinery, fabricated metal products, computer and electronic products, and transportation-equipment manufacturing. Approximately 3 percent of drafters were self-employed in 2008. Employment of drafters is expected to grow by 4 percent between 2008 and 2018. Architectural drafting is expected to be the fastest growing specialty, increasing by 9 percent.
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Earnings
Drafters' earnings vary by specialty, location, and level of responsibility. Median annual wages nationally of architectural and civil drafters were $44,490 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,290 and $55,740. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $67,110. Median annual wages for architectural and civil drafters in architectural, engineering, and related services were $44,390. Median annual wages of mechanical drafters were $46,640 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,490 and $59,010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $71,340. Median annual wages for mechanical drafters in architectural, engineering, and related services were $47,630.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the associate degree and diploma programs in Drafting Technology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Explain and demonstrate the proper use of AutoCAD in the profession by performing all necessary commands to create 2-D and 3-D drawings
- Use the most current CAD programs to prepare mechanical drawings from sketches and projects with minimal supervision
- Use the most current CAD programs to prepare architectural drawings from sketches and projects with minimal supervision
- Create complete sets of working drawings using critical thinking skills related to problem solving and manipulation of complex technical data related to mechanical and architectural designs
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Drafter's Assistant will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Assist in site surveys
- Assist in maintaining documentation of drawings
- Communicate professionally and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and clients
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Landscape Design will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Understand and interpret the environment
- Consider the social aspects of space
- Understand ethical considerations in landscape design
- Perceive and interpret the landscape
- Consider landscapes as reflected in the arts, cartography, and photography
- Prepare digital media for presentation
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Drafting Technology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Essential Functions Required for Student Performance
- Prepare assembly/working drawings for visual guidelines that show how to construct a product or structure
- Provide all technical details and specify dimensions, materials, and procedures
- Utilize technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to create working drawings
- Prepare orthographic, section, and auxiliary sketches and drawings
- Create presentation drawings in 2-D or 3-D formats using AutoCAD, Revit, or Inventor software
- Understand standard office procedures for CAD management
- Utilize precision measuring instruments and scales to read prints or objects
- Create bill of materials or parts list
- Comply by standard county and/or state building codes when preparing architectural drawings
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Normal vision with or without corrective lenses
- Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals (with auditory aids or a full-time interpreter for the hearing impaired) and to understand a normal speaking voice without direct access to the speaker's face
- Finger Dexterity: Manual dexterity sufficient to work with fingers
- Motor Ability
- Physical ability to lift 25 pounds Ability to work in an office environment sitting for long periods
- Manual dexterity to efficiently use a computer to create CAD drawings
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear, i.e. safety glasses, gloves, head covering, etc.
- Ability to maintain a safe environment at all times
- Ability to Communicate
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to managers, clients, customers, and the general public
- Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as the industry requires
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, researching, and prioritizing daily functions
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency to meet deadlines
- Ability to react and adjust as instructed by the manager(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Ability to function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and work environment
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Supply fee (Varies - See course descriptions for exact costs)
- Textbooks (Approximately $2,000 for the associate degree program, $1,000 for the diploma program, and $500 for the technical certificates)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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