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Degrees and Schools
Associate degrees and certificates are available in electronic drafting and electrical drafting. Some vocational schools and community colleges provide training. Two-year associate degrees in drafting are available. The quality of training at these schools may vary.
The majority of four-year colleges do not offer degrees in drafting. However, many of the colleges provide CADD classes in architecture, computer science and engineering programs. The non-CADD coursework included in these programs may be useful in the profession. Also, the American Design Drafting Association provides a certification program for drafters.
Classes
Students seeking to become an electronics drafter typically study the following subjects:
- Technical communications
- CADD
- Fiber optics networks
- Drafting research and statistics
- Electronic logic and safety procedures
- Microcomputer processes
- Drafting electronic schematics
- Industry metals and electricity
Students seeking to become an electrical drafter typically study the following subjects:
- Instrumentation drafting
- Electricity principles
- CADD
- Process technology
Online Classes and Programs
There are some drafting courses available online, however most drafting students take drafting programs on-campus.
Employment Requirements
Electrical and electronics drafters need to be highly skilled at drafting and design and be proficient with CADD systems. Some employers prefer to hire people that have an associate degree in electrical drafting or electronics drafting.
Major employers include engineering firms, architectural companies, the power distribution industry and major manufacturing industries such as automobile, appliances and aircraft.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program provide plenty of hands-on training with the latest CADD equipment? Does the program include an internship? Do students have a variety of internship choices?
- School's Reputation - Is the school recognized for its drafting programs?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered? Can students select an area of specialization?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school eligible to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Electrical Drafters Job Description
Electrical drafters prepare drawings for the production of machinery, automobiles, appliances, aircraft and other items. They also produce wiring and layout diagrams and provide other engineering information for electrical equipment used in power plants, communication centers and buildings. Electrical drafters produce precise technical drawings, instructions, plans, diagrams and schematics. They use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) systems.
Electronic drafters create electronic drawings, diagrams and electronic processing plans. Their drawings are used to produce, maintain and repair electronic devices including computers, manufacturing equipment and telecommunications equipment. Electronic drafters develop drawings which display wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams and schematics.
Shown below are some of their responsibilities:
- Draw master sketches to scale
- Provide detailed instructions and documentation
- Modify designs
- Provide technical drawings for large and small electrical systems
- Assemble production drawing sets and documentation packages
- Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment
- Explain drawings to construction or production teams
Resources
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
- American Design Drafting Association
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