A drafter (also draughtsman / draughtswoman in British and Commonwealth English , draftsman / draftswoman , drafting technician , or CAD technician in American and Canadian English ) is an engineering technician who makes detailed technical drawings or CAD designs for machinery, buildings, electronics, infrastructure, sections, etc. Drafters use computer software and manual sketches to convert the designs, plans, and layouts of engineers and architects into a set of technical drawings. Drafters operate as the supporting developers and sketch engineering designs and drawings from preliminary design concepts.
63-484: In the past, drafters sat or stood at drawing boards and used pencils, pens, compasses , protractors , triangles, and other drafting devices to prepare a drawing by hand. From the 1980s through 1990s, board drawings were going out of style as the newly developed computer-aided design (CAD) system was released and was able to produce technical drawings at a faster pace. Many modern drafters now use computer software such as AutoCAD , Revit , and SolidWorks to flesh out
126-517: A baccalauréat professionnel for students who do not plan to continue into higher education. Nearly 100 specialties are covered. In France, at post-secondary level, there are also university technical institutes (in French: " Institut Universitaire de Technologie ") offering vocational bachelor's degrees . A vocational school in Ireland is a type of secondary education school which places
189-577: A meesterproef ( masterpiece ) - they were called meester ( master craftsman ). In 1795, all of the guilds in the Netherlands were disbanded by Napoleon , and with them the guild vocational schooling system. After the French occupation, in the 1820s, the need for quality education caused more and more cities to form day and evening schools for various trades. In 1854, the society Maatschappij tot verbetering van den werkenden stand (society to improve
252-465: A trade school , career center , career college , or vocational college . Vocational schools were called "technical colleges" in Australia, and there were more than 20 schools specializing in vocational educational training (VET). Only four technical colleges remain, and these are now referred to as "trade colleges". At these colleges, students complete a modified year 12 certificate and commence
315-446: A 2 to 3-year diploma in engineering design or drafting technology from a community college or technical school. Drafters starting out tend to move from company to company to gain experience and rise up in the professional ranks or they can start their own business and become self-employed to fully establish themselves within the professional pecking order. Compared to an entry-level drafter who is starting out and often lacks job experience,
378-428: A CEGEP directly out of high school, and then complete three years at a university (rather than the usual four), to earn an undergraduate degree. Alternatively, some CEGEPs offer vocational training, but it is more likely that vocational training will be found at institutions separate from academic institutions, though they may still be called colleges. Although many (if not most) vocational programs are in high school. In
441-738: A bachelors degree like in classical university, and after 5 years they get a professional specialist degree. In Greece vocational school is known as Vocational Lyceum (2006–Present), it was named Technical Vocational Lyceum (1985–1998). It is an upper secondary education school (high school) of Greece, with a three-year duration. Some have a wide range of majors, others only a few majors. Vocational majors are in Electrical Installation, Electronics and Automation, Meganotronics, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Cooling, Nursing, Hairdressing, Graphic Design, Food Technology, Dental Technology, Aesthetic and Makeup, and others. The Finnish system
504-483: A college in different parts of Central and Eastern Europe. Technicums provided a middle level of vocational education. Aside of technicums and PTU there also were vocational schools ( Russian : Профессиональные училища) that also provided a middle level of vocational education. In 1920-30s Ukraine, technicums were a (technical) vocational institutes , however, during the 1930-32s Soviet educational reform they were degraded in their accreditation. Institutes were considered
567-697: A design. Although drafters use CAD extensively, it is only a tool. Drafters still need knowledge of traditional drafting techniques, in addition to CAD skills. Despite the near global use of CAD systems, manual drafting and sketching are used in certain applications. 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, drafters use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in
630-405: A drafting career. Attributes required by drafters include technical writing skills, problem-solving skills, the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings as well as drawing the relationships between parts in machinery and various pieces of infrastructure. Other skills include an in-depth knowledge of the qualities of metals, plastics, wood and other materials used in
693-517: A drafting table. Modern drafting tables typically rely on a steel frame. Steel provides as much strength as the old oak drafting table frames and much easier portability. Typically the drafting board surface is a thick sheet of compressed fibreboard with sheets of Formica laminated to all its surfaces. The drafting board surface is usually secured to the frame by screws which can easily be removed for drafting table transportation. The steel frame allows mechanical linkages to be installed that control both
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#1732786806318756-456: A free daily school lunch. Tools and practice material are provided to the students for free. Any necessary books are also free for all students born during or after 2005. In tertiary education, there are higher vocational schools ( ammattikorkeakoulu which is translated to "polytechnic" or "university of applied sciences"), which give three- to four-year degrees in more involved fields, like engineering (see insinööri (amk) ) and nursing. Having
819-468: A higher level of education; however, unlike universities, they were more oriented to a particular trade. With the reorganization of the Soviet education system, most institutes have been renamed as technical universities. In ex-Yugoslavian countries (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro and North Macedonia) there are technical high schools that can have three or four years courses. If
882-417: A kind of multipurpose desk which can be used for any kind of drawing, writing or impromptu sketching on a large sheet of paper or for reading a large format book or other oversized document or for drafting precise technical illustrations (such as engineering drawings or architectural drawings ). The drawing table used to be a frequent companion to a pedestal desk in a study or private library , during
945-480: A large emphasis on vocational and technical education ; this led to some conflict in the 1960s when the Regional Technical College system was in development. Since 2013 the schools have been managed by Education and Training Boards , which replaced Vocational Education Committees which were largely based on city or county boundaries. Establishment of the schools is largely provided by
1008-954: A more seasoned drafter often rises up within the professional ranks into a management position where they are assigned and tasked with supervising entire projects in addition to overseeing and delegating junior and entry-level drafters. If drafters with well-established careers wish to further their education and broaden their employment prospects, it is also possible for experienced drafters to enter related fields such as engineering , architecture , industrial design , interior design , exhibit design , landscape design , set design , and animation . [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014–15 Edition, Drafters (visited January 26, 2015) . United States Department of Labor (US DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Drawing board A drawing board (also drawing table , drafting table or architect's table ) is, in its antique form,
1071-414: A person finishes three year course he will get a trade degree, or a technician degree if he finishes four. After technical high school a person can go to university. In Croatia there are two types of universities where people can continue their education: Classical universities (Sveučilište) and Universities of applied sciences (Veleučilište). In Universities of applied sciences, after three years students get
1134-726: A prospective drafting applicant more competitive in the labour market. Licensing and certification highlights one's core competence and knowledge of a specific drafting specialty. Drafting and design certificates and diplomas are generally offered by vocational institutes such as career training schools, trade and technical schools, and non-university higher educational institutions such as community colleges or industrial training institutes. Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training and practical work experience with theoretical in-class instruction. Those interested in becoming drafters can earn qualifications as either drafting technologists or drafting technicians. Drafting technologists usually have
1197-497: A real-world setting. Employers prefer applicants who have also completed training after high school at a trade or technical school . Prospective drafters will also need to have a strong background knowledge and experience with CADD software. Though licenses are not a prerequisite for becoming drafters, the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) does offer certification and licensing to make
1260-635: A school-based apprenticeship in a trade of their choice. There are two trade colleges in Queensland; Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Australian Industry Trade College and one in Adelaide, St. Patrick's Technical College, and another in Perth, Australian Trades College. In Queensland, students can also undertake VET at private and public high schools instead of studying for their overall position (OP), which
1323-446: A total of about 50 trades. The basic categories of education are The vocational schools are usually owned by the municipalities, but in special cases, private or state vocational schools exist. The state grants aid to all vocational schools on the same basis, regardless of the owner. On the other hand, the vocational schools are not allowed to operate for profit. The Ministry of Education issues licences to provide vocational education. In
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#17327868063181386-433: A vocational degree also qualifies a person to apply to a university. In contrast to the vocational school, an academically orientated upper secondary school, or senior high school ( Finnish : lukio ) teaches no vocational skills. It prepares students for entering the university or a higher vocational school. In France, the lycée professionnel (LP, formerly known as a lycée d'enseignement professionnel (LEP)) grants
1449-410: A year, and their training and certifications are rarely recognized by the larger academic world. In addition, as most career colleges are private schools , this group may be further subdivided into non-profit schools and proprietary schools, operated for the sole economic benefit of their owners. As a result of this emphasis on the commercialization of education, a widespread poor reputation for quality
1512-465: Is a tertiary entrance score. However these students usually undertake more limited vocational education of one day per week whereas in the trade colleges the training is longer. Education in Canada is a provincial responsibility, and education evolved independently in each province, much like separate countries. Vocational School is an old antiquated term that was previously used until the late 1960s when
1575-417: Is divided between vocational and academic paths. Currently about 47 percent of Finnish students at age 16 go to vocational school. The vocational school is a secondary school for ages 16–21, and prepares the students for entering the workforce. The curriculum includes little academic general education, while the practical skills of each trade are stressed. The education is divided into eight main categories with
1638-436: Is represented in the forms of (professional) vocational technical schools often abbreviated as PTU, technical colleges (technikum) and technical high school. Vocational school or Vocational college is considered a post-secondary education type school, but combines the coursework of a high school and junior college stretching for six years. In Ukraine, the term is used mostly for sports schools sometimes interchangeably with
1701-483: Is the largest American national education association dedicated to the advancement of career and technical education or vocational education that prepares youth and adults for careers. Earlier vocational schools such as the California Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University have gone on to become full degree-granting institutions. In Central and Eastern Europe , vocational education
1764-966: The Haagsche Kookschool in The Hague . In 1968 the Mammoetwet law changed all of this, effectively dissolving the Ambachtsschool and the Huishoudschool. The name was changed to LTS ( lagere technische school , lower technical school), where mainly boys went because of its technical nature, and the other option, where most girls went, was LBO ( lager beroepsonderwijs , lower vocational education). In 1992 both LTS and LBO changed to VBO ( voorbereidend beroepsonderwijs , preparatory vocational education) and since 1999 VBO together with MAVO ( middelbaar algemeen voortgezet onderwijs , intermediate general secondary education) changed to
1827-529: The United States , there is a very large difference between career college and vocational college. The term career college is generally reserved for post-secondary for-profit institutions. Conversely, vocational schools are government-owned or at least government-supported institutions, requiring two full years of study, and their credits are usually accepted elsewhere in the academic world. In some instances, charter academies or magnet schools may take
1890-419: The skilled trades , rather than providing academic training for students pursuing careers in a professional discipline. While many schools have largely adhered to this convention, the purely vocational focus of other trade schools began to shift in the 1990s "toward a broader preparation that develops the academic" as well as the technical skills of their students. This type of institution may also be called
1953-425: The 1920-30s, such PTUs were called schools of factory and plant apprenticeship, and later 1940s - vocational schools. Sometime after 1959, the name PTU was established, however, with the reorganization of the Soviet educational system these vocational schools were renamed into lyceums. There were several types of PTUs such as middle city PTU and rural PTU. Technical college (technicum) is becoming an obsolete term for
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2016-498: The board, including the sophisticated use of individualized adhesive dots from a dispensing roll. Some drawing boards are magnetized, allowing paper to be held down by long steel strips. Boards used for overlay drafting or animation may include registration pins or peg bars to ensure alignment of multiple layers of drawing media. Despite the prevalence of computer aided drafting, many older architects and even some structural designers still rely on paper and pencil graphics produced on
2079-410: The caption to a Peter Arno cartoon of The New Yorker of March 1, 1941. Trade school A vocational school , (alternatively known as a trade school , or technical school ) is a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to complete
2142-412: The convenience of push button table adjustment. The expression " back to the drawing board " is used when a plan or course of action needs to be changed, often drastically; usually due to a very unsuccessful result; e.g., "The battle plan, the result of months of conferences, failed because the enemy retreated too far back. It was back to the drawing board for the army captains." The phrase was coined in
2205-626: The current VMBO ( voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs , preparatory intermediate vocational education). In India vocational schools are mainly run by the government under the guidance of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Courses offered by the Government of India are Udaan, Polytechnics, Parvaaz, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Industrial Training Institutes, Aajeevika mission of national rural livelihood, Craftsmen Training Scheme. The Skill India movement has empowered
2268-694: The curriculum has changed so that no matter which type of school one attends, they can still attend any post-secondary institution and still study a variety of subjects and others (either academic or practical). In Ontario, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities divided post-secondary education into universities, community colleges and private career colleges. In the Province of Quebec, there are some vocational programs offered at institutions called CEGEPs ( collège d'enseignement général et professionnel ), but these too may function as an introduction to university. Generally, students complete two years at
2331-735: The designs of engineers or architects into technical drawings and blueprints but board drafting still remains the base of the CAD system. Many of these drawings are utilized to create structures, tools or machines. In addition, the drawings also include design specifications like dimensions, materials and procedures. Consequently, drafters may also be casually referred to as CAD operators, engineering draftspersons, or engineering technicians. 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
2394-555: The details of a structure. 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. Drafting work has many specialties such as: Drafters work in architectural offices, manufacturing companies, engineering firms, CAD-specific work-groups, construction companies, engineering consultancy firms,
2457-661: The education system evolved from basic primary education to include High School and then technical schools or colleges in the mid 1960s. In the past (pre mid 1960s) some provinces Vocational schools in Western Canada were sometimes called " colleges " in Canada. However, a college may also refer to an institution that offers part of a university degree, or credits that may be transferred to a university. In Ontario Technical schools like Central Technical School in Toronto, which
2520-537: The government, natural resource companies or are independently self-employed. Drafting technologists and technicians often work as part of a broader multidisciplinary engineering team in support of engineers, architects or industrial designers or they may work on their own. The position of a drafter is one of a skilled assistant to architects and engineers. Drafters usually work in offices, seated at adjustable drawing boards or drafting tables when doing manual drawings, although modern drafters work at computer terminals much of
2583-419: The gradual introduction of computer aided drafting and design (CADD or CAD ) in the last decades of the 20th century and the first of the 21st century, the drawing board is becoming less common. A drawing table is also sometimes called a mechanical desk because, for several centuries, most mechanical desks were drawing tables. Unlike the gadgety mechanical desks of the second part of the 18th century, however,
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2646-473: The height and angle of the drafting board surface. Typically, a single foot pedal is used to control a clutch which clamps the board in the desired position. A heavy counterweight full of lead shot is installed in the steel linkage so that if the pedal is accidentally released, the drafting board will not spring into the upright position and injure the user. Drafting table linkages and clutches have to be maintained to ensure that this safety mechanism counterbalances
2709-693: The licence, the municipality or a private entity is given permission to train a yearly quota of students for specific trades. The licence also specifies the area where the school must be located and the languages used in the education. The vocational school students are selected by the schools on the basis of criteria set by the Ministry of Education. The basic qualification for the study is completed nine-year comprehensive school. Anyone may seek admission in any vocational school regardless of their domicile. In certain trades, bad health or invalidity may be acceptable grounds for refusing admission. The students do not pay tuition and they must be provided with health care and
2772-413: The mechanical parts of drawing tables were usually limited to notches, ratchets, and perhaps a few simple gears, or levers or cogs to elevate and incline the working surface. Very often a drawing table could look like a writing table or even a pedestal desk when the working surface was set at the horizontal and the height adjusted to 29 inches, in order to use it as a "normal" desk. The only giveaway
2835-494: The mid 1960s a Vocational School was a trades or job training school that provided training in a very focused trades related area, and these were started in the early 1950s, and the few that existed were merged as departments of the Community colleges that were established starting in the mid 1960s . Secondary schools had evolved into three separated streams: technical schools, commercial and collegiates (the academic schools). By
2898-408: The mid 1960s in suburban areas purpose built High Schools for slow learners or individuals that were being trained for jobs after high school was also termed "vocational schools". By the early late 1960s many of the technical and commercial school programs in large populated areas like around Toronto, were being merged or had purpose built combined schools were being built. While the schools still exist,
2961-852: The other schools then available in Ireland. This was mainly because traditional courses such as the leaving certificate were not available at the schools, however this changed with the Investment in Education (1962) report which resulted in an upgrade in their status. Currently about 24% of secondary education students attend these schools. In the Middle Ages boys learned a vocation through an apprenticeship . They were usually 10 years old when they entered service, and were first called leerling ( apprentice ), then gezel ( journeyman ) and after an exam - sometimes with an example of workmanship called
3024-539: The overall manufacturing processes and of construction methods and standards. Technical expertise, a strong understanding of construction and the manufacturing process, and a solid knowledge of drafting and design principles are also important assets in becoming a drafter. In the modern job marketplace, in addition to technical skills enabling CAD drafters to draw up plans, soft skills are also crucial as CADD drafters have to communicate with clients and articulate their drawing plans in an effective way with fellow team members in
3087-452: The period styles they were originally made in during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 18th and 19th centuries, drawing paper was dampened and then its edges glued to the drawing board. After drying the paper would be flat and smooth. The completed drawing was then cut free. Paper could also be secured to the drawing board with drawing pins or even C-clamps . More recent practice is to use self-adhesive drafting tape to secure paper to
3150-490: The place of the final years of high school . Additionally, most schools offer off-campus buildings, or partner with vocational schools in order for students to gain a certificate, as well as gaining the needed credit to graduate. With the dual enrollment, the student would graduate with both their high school diploma, as well as their vocational certificate. Career colleges on the other hand are generally not government supported in any capacity, occupy periods of study less than
3213-781: The pre-industrial and early industrial era. During the Industrial Revolution , draftsmanship gradually became a specialized trade and drawing tables slowly moved out of the libraries and offices of most gentlemen. They became more utilitarian and were built of steel and plastic instead of fine woods and brass. More recently, engineers and draftsmen use the drawing board for making and modifying drawings on paper with ink or pencil. Different drawing instruments ( set square , protractor , etc.) are used on it to draw parallel, perpendicular or oblique lines. There are instruments for drawing circles, arcs, other curves and symbols too ( compass , French curve , stencil , etc.). However, with
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#17327868063183276-467: The standards of all these institutions. Apart from these the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has included many vocational subjects in their senior secondary education. In Japan vocational schools are known as senmon gakkō ( 専門学校 ) . They are a part of Japan's higher education system. There are two-year schools that many students study at after finishing high school (although it
3339-425: The state; funding is through the block grant system providing about 90% of necessary funding requirements. Vocational schools typically have further education courses in addition to the traditional courses at secondary level. For instance, post leaving certificate courses which are intended for school leavers and pre- third level education students. Until the 1970s the vocational schools were seen as inferior to
3402-409: The table, a single strip of aluminum or steel may serve as a place to rest drafting pencils. More purpose-built trays are also used which hold pencils even while the board is being adjusted. Various types of drafting machine may be attached to the board surface to assist the draftsperson or artist. Parallel rules often span the entire width of the board and are so named because they remain parallel to
3465-448: The tasks of a particular and specific job. In the case of secondary education, these schools differ from academic high schools which usually prepare students who aim to pursue tertiary education, rather than enter directly into the workforce. With regard to post-secondary education, vocational schools are traditionally distinguished from four-year colleges by their focus on job-specific training to students who are typically bound for one of
3528-410: The term college. Such college could be a separate entity or a branch of bigger university. Successful graduates receive a specialist degree . PTUs are usually preparatory vocational education and are equivalent to the general education of the third degree in the former Soviet education, providing a lower level of vocational education (apprenticeship). It could be compared to a trade high school . In
3591-633: The time. They usually work in an office environment, but some may have to travel and spend time on manufacturing plants or construction sites. As drafters spend long periods in front of computers doing detailed technical work, they may be susceptible to eyestrain , back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems. Most drafters work standard 40-hour weeks; only a small number work part-time. High school courses in English, mathematics, science, electronics, computer technology, drafting and design , visual arts, and computer graphics are useful for people considering
3654-408: The top edge of the board as they are moved up and down. Drafting machines use pre-calibrated scales and built in protractors to allow accurate drawing measurement. Some drafting tables incorporate electric motors to provide the up and down and angle adjustment of the drafting table surface. These tables are at least as heavy as the original oak and brass drafting tables and so sacrifice portability for
3717-405: The weight of the table surface. The drafting table surface is usually covered with a thin vinyl sheet called a board cover. This provides an optimum surface for pen and pencil drafting. It allows compasses and dividers to be used without damaging the wooden surface of the board. A board cover must be frequently cleaned to prevent graphite buildup from making new drawings dirty. At the bottom edge of
3780-668: The working class) was founded in Amsterdam, that changed its name in 1861 to the Maatschappij voor de Werkende Stand (Society for the working class). This society started the first public vocational school ( De Ambachtsschool ) in Amsterdam , and many cities followed. At first only for boys, later the Huishoudschool (housekeeping) was introduced as vocational schooling for girls. Housekeeping education began in 1888 with
3843-563: Was retained by a great number of career colleges for over promising what the job prospects for their graduates would be in their field of study upon completion of their program, and for emphasizing the number of careers from which a student could choose. Even though the popularity of career colleges has exploded in recent years, the number of government-sponsored vocational schools in the United States has decreased significantly. The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
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#17327868063183906-466: Was started in the late 1800s to train workers in the evening, eventually evolved into high schools when the education system was extended to the high school level. When the public education system was expanded in by the early 1920s high school level education was provided in Technical / Commercial Schools or Collegiate Institutes in a hybrid high school/ college level like situation. In Ontario prior to
3969-400: Was usually a lip on one of the sides of the desktop. This lip or edge stopped paper or books from sliding when the surface was given an angle. It was also sometimes used to hold writing implements. When the working surface was extended at its full height, a drawing table could be used as a standing desk . Many reproductions have been made and are still being produced of drawing tables, copying
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