What Skills Do I Need to Become a Drafter?

As we are well aware the job market is still in dire straights.  We still see public lay offs on the news and there is a big question as to when we will see an increase.  Those who are in the drafting job market know how tough it can be to be an independent contractor when the jobs are nowhere to be found.  However, it has been reported that increases and jobs are set to appear and those with the right set of technical and vocational skills within the drafting field will get first pick!

In order to get a decent paying job in this country, you need to have the right education and training under your belt.  Those who choose not to further their education usually make thousands less per year than those who hold a degree.  If you are looking into drafting as a career for yourself, you will need to take the first step towards your training.  This will come in the form of your education.  A two-year associate’s degree in architectural drafting will help to set you up with most of the skills that are needed.

While you are in school for the next couple of years you will learn about the software and tools that are all used on a daily basis in drafting.  Drafters are highly trained and eligible to work with CAD drafting software.  This is how drafters help to design and create the plans needed for the engineers and builders to begin working at the actual job site.  If you are not qualified to work with CAD, you are going to have a difficult time finding a job.

Along with the skills in CAD software, drafters will also need to have artistic skills and ideas.  When you are working with your tools and software, you will be able to see and design plans in a completely artistic manner.  Your designs are meant to help planners and developers make what you put on paper come to life!  You will also need to have effective communication skills so that you can relay the right messages to your builders.  When there is a break in the communication, many mistakes can ensue, which can hold back building plans.

A good drafter is also a good problem solver.  As you advance in your drafting career, you can expect to have a team of junior drafters working under you.  When problems arise with your team or when questions are brought up, you have to be the one to step in and take the lead.  Think fast and your team will never worry about an issue for more than a couple of hours.

Try to obtain as much certification and skills as you possibly can after your training.  Drafters who become specialized within a certain drafting area have the ability to earn more money each year.  Currently, the average entry-level position for a drafter earns $20,000 to $30,000 per year.  Of course the pay is bound to go higher once you have specialties as well as further experience.

We are surely set to see job improvement for drafters in the near future.  Without drafters and architects, we lose the ability to create and appreciate buildings.  Your first order of business to obtain the right skills will be choosing the proper school.  Most community colleges have a drafting and architectural design degree program that you can choose from.  Start looking for a program that works for you today!