What skills does a drafter need?

A drafter needs 24 essential skills including CADD software, design drawings, mathematics, technical drawings, architectural design. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace drafter jobs?

The AI disruption score for drafter is 41/100 (moderate risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Engineering ServicesScience and engineering associate professionalsISCO 3118

drafter

Drafters prepare and create technical drawings using a special software or manual techniques, to show how something is built or works.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (24)

CADD softwareCADD softwareThe computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.design drawingsdesign drawingsThe drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.architectural designarchitectural designThe branch of architecture that strives for balance and harmony in the elements of a construction or architectural project.CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.civil engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.3D modelling3D modellingThe process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimension...CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.manual draughting techniquesmanual draughting techniquesTechniques used for creating detailed drawings of designs by using specialised pencils, rulers, templates and scales.construction methodsconstruction methodsThe various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.blueprintsblueprintsMust be able to read and understand blueprints, drawings and plans and maintain simple written records.use manual draughting techniquesuse manual draughting techniquesUse non-computerised draughting techniques to make detailed drawings of designs by hand with specialised tools such as pencils, rulers and templates.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.use CADD softwareuse CADD softwareUse computer-aided design and drafting software to make detailed drawings and blueprints of designs.create technical planscreate technical plansCreate detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.prepare detailed working drawings for interior designprepare detailed working drawings for interior designPrepare sufficiently detailed working drawings or digital images using software to convey a realistic preview of the interior design project.design circuits using CADdesign circuits using CADDraught sketches and design electronic circuitry; utilise Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment.draft design specificationsdraft design specificationsList the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.draw blueprintsdraw blueprintsDraw layout specifications for machinery, equipment and building structures. Specify which materials should be used and the size of the components. Show different angles and views of the product.make drawingsmake drawingsMake technical drawings to scale from sketches, drawings, and verbal instructions.prepare assembly drawingsprepare assembly drawingsCreate the drawings that identify the different components and materials, and that provide instructions as to how they should be assembled.draw design sketchesdraw design sketchesCreate rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.

Optional (62)

engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...cartographycartographyThe study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.design principlesdesign principlesThe elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.principles of mechanical engineeringprinciples of mechanical engineeringThe principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.aestheticsaestheticsSet of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.topographytopographyGraphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.mechatronicsmechatronicsMultidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the ...electrical wiring diagramselectrical wiring diagramsThe visual schematic representation of an electrical circuit, its components, and the connections between these components.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.interpret circuit diagramsinterpret circuit diagramsRead and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.design electrical systemsdesign electrical systemsDraft sketches and design electrical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. Draw panel arrangement layouts, electrical schematics, electrical wirin...calculate materials to build equipmentcalculate materials to build equipmentDetermine the amount and the kind of materals necessary to build certain machines or equipment.draw prop sketchesdraw prop sketchesMake sketches of envisioned props to help develop the concept and to share with others.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.create electrical wiring diagramcreate electrical wiring diagramDraw the details of electrical circuits in order to aid construction workers with the erection and instalment of electrical wiring in building structures.customise draftscustomise draftsEdit drawings, schematic diagrams, and drafts according to specifications.check architectural drawings on sitecheck architectural drawings on siteEnsure that the drawings of the architectural project reflect the reality by visiting the construction sites and implementing adjustments.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.communicate with construction crewscommunicate with construction crewsExchange information with the construction crews or supervisors to ensure smooth progress of the construction project. Obtain updates on the progress and any obstacles, and inform the crews of any cha...make set construction drawingsmake set construction drawingsVisually describe the various pieces of the set in order to develop the plan and to share with others.conduct land surveysconduct land surveysConduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and d...advise on building mattersadvise on building mattersProvide advice on building matters to the various parties involved in construction projects. Bring to their awareness important building considerations and consult on construction budgets.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).meet building regulationsmeet building regulationsCommunicate with construction inspection, e.g. by submitting schemes and plans, to make sure all construction regulations, laws and codes are dealt with correctly.use artistic materials for drawinguse artistic materials for drawingUse artistic materials such as paint, paintbrushes, ink, watercolours, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.create a product's virtual modelcreate a product's virtual modelCreate a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.liaise with architectsliaise with architectsFacilitate communication and understanding between architects and other parties such as constructors, clients, and contractors with respect to the design of construction projects.archive documentation related to workarchive documentation related to workSelect relevant documentation related to the ongoing or complete work and take steps to archive it in a way that ensures its future accessibility.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.make architectural mock-upsmake architectural mock-upsMake a scale model that represents the vision and specifications of the construction project to allow the design team to review details such as colour and materials selection, and to show and discuss ...advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.plan manufacturing processesplan manufacturing processesDetermine and schedule production and assembly steps. Plan manpower and equipment needs taking ergonomic considerations into account.prepare construction documentsprepare construction documentsDraft, update and archive documents concerning the planning and implementation of construction or renovation projects including information about security systems and accounting documentation.make technical drawings of fashion piecesmake technical drawings of fashion piecesMake technical drawings of wearing apparel, leather goods and footwear including both technical and engineering drawings. Use them to communicate or to convey design ideas and manufacturing details to...advise on architectural mattersadvise on architectural mattersProvide advice on architectural design, based on knowledge of matters such as spatial division, balance of construction elements, and aesthetics.prepare building permit applicationsprepare building permit applicationsFill in the forms and prepare any additional documentation needed to file an application to receive the construction permit required for erecting, renovating, and modifying buildings.develop a specific interior designdevelop a specific interior designDevelop a conceptual interior design fitting the global mood the room(s) must convey, according to the quality standards agreed on. Adhere to the order of a client for a domestic area or to the concep...draft bill of materialsdraft bill of materialsSet up a list of materials, components, and assemblies as well as the quantities needed to manufacture a certain product.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.use measurement instrumentsuse measurement instrumentsUse different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.create architectural sketchescreate architectural sketchesCreate architectural sketches for the design and detail specifications of interiors and exteriors to scale.review draftsreview draftsProofread and give feedback to technical drawings or drafts.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.consult with design teamconsult with design teamDiscuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.design electromechanical systemsdesign electromechanical systemsDraft sketches and design electromechanical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment.liaise with engineersliaise with engineersCollaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.estimate cost of building materialsestimate cost of building materialsEstimate the total cost of building materials required, take into account tendering procedures.develop assembly instructionsdevelop assembly instructionsDevelop a code of letters and numbers to label diagrams for assembly instructions.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...render 3D imagesrender 3D imagesUse specialised tools to convert 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.integrate engineering principles in architectural designintegrate engineering principles in architectural designIntegrate engineering principles in architectural design under the guidance of engineers from different fields. Integrate electrical, civil, etc. engineering in architectural drafting.interpret electrical diagramsinterpret electrical diagramsRead and comprehend blueprints and electrical diagrams; understand technical instructions and engineering manuals for assembling electrical equipment; understand electricity theory and electronic comp...