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drafting and design outlook

Confused about AutoCAD Careers? Here’s a Look into Canada’s Drafting Industry

What is AutoCAD?

While many people in the industry know how essential knowledge of AutoCAD is, the rest of us have no idea what training in AutoCAD leads to, what AutoCAD employment entails or even, what AutoCAD is. AutoCAD is a software application for Computer Aided Design. Designers and Drafters use it to make the intangible tangible. With this software, 2D and 3D images are conjured up with careful precision.

Within this industry, the majority of workers attain their diploma or certificate from a post-secondary institution. After training for an AutoCAD career one can work in industries like architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Outlook for the Drafting Technologists and Technicians Sector:

Overall, CAD employment has a good outlook for the next few years, especially due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation.

Skills and Training:

To get an AutoCAD career in the drafting and design industry, one can expect requirements such as a solid knowledge of major technical drafting software (AutoCAD, for example) to easily adapt to technological changes within the industry and a good spatial vision.

Job Duties:

Since this industry is associated with so many job prospects, there are a wage range of tasks expected from this position, such as:

  • Working within CAD and drafting work stations
  • Developing and preparing design sketches
  • Preparing  engineering designs and drawings from mere concepts
  • Writing technical reports
  • Verify that design specs correlate with specifications and design data

AutoCAD Salaries:

According to the 2021 Job Bank Wage Data. while working within this industry, one can expect average median provincial income to be around $31.00/hour. Those starting out in the industry can expect an annual income of anywhere between $25,000 and $35,000, and those with further experience within the industry can look to earn a median wage of $64,654. Senior and management AutoCAD salaries can be up to $74,880 a year!

At Brighton College, we offer two AutoCAD training programs including the AutoCAD Drafting and Design Specialist Diploma and the Computer Aided Design with AutoCAD Certificate; both include practicums with local Vancouver companies as well.

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