If you enjoy drawing, either by hand or on a computer, and have a keen interest in engineering than a career as a Draughtsperson could be for you.
Career Overview
A Draughtsperson works closely with engineers, architects and scientists. They take the rough sketches, designs and ideas they receive from the engineers and other designers then translate it into detailed CAD drawings. Every drawing produced is for something that is going to be built and/or manufactured.
A Draughtsperson’s job is quite demanding and requires attention to detail for every single drawing produced, that is why it is key to have a sharp mind and a quick eye to help avoid mistakes as those can be quite costly.
Required School Subjects
You will need to have taken the following subjects at high school:
- Pure Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
Recommended subjects:
- Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD)
Institution and APS
The following institutions are highly recommended for further studies:
- Intec College
- UNISA
There is no APS required for you to study to become a Draughtsperson, however a minimum pass of a level 4 (40%) for both Mathematics and Physical Sciences is required.
Required Qualification/s
A National Diploma is the minimum required qualification for this career. In-service training is also required to be fully qualified as a Draughtsperson.
Required Skills
You will need to have the following skills to succeed as a Draughtsperson:
- Speed and Excellent Accuracy
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Be Detail Oriented
- Be Technically Minded
- Good Hand-Eye Coordination
- Good Hand Drawing Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
Where you can work
There is a range of environments that you could find yourself in as a Draughtsperson. Some of these places of work include:
- Architectural and Engineering Firms
- Municipalities
- Construction Companies
- Metal Manufacturing Companies
- Mining Companies
- Government Departments
- Self-Employment
Working Hours
Working hours are generally the standard 8am-5pm but projects tend to require additional hours to meet deadlines. This usually ends up in working late into the night and on very rare occasions, working over the weekends may be occur.
Expected Salary
A Draughtsperson in South Africa can make between R 177 000 and R 604 000 per year, with an average of R 303 032. Generally, a Draughtsperson is employed as a contractor and is paid at an hourly rate.
What to expect
Here are a few things you can expect from a career as a Draughtsperson:
- There is travelling that is involved for the job, either nationally or internationally depending on the size of the organisation
- Accuracy and precision is extremely key, as time is a high contributing factor
- The work can be strenuous physically and mentally, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key
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