Job prospects Design Technician - Drafting in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "design technician - drafting" in Ontario or Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

Note: These outlooks were updated on November 29^th, 2023. Learn more about our methodology.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Drafting technologists and technicians (NOC 22212) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Architectural, engineering and related services companies
• Manufacturers, particularly in fabricated metal product manufacturing
• Construction

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Investments in non-residential construction will sustain the need for design and drafting services, supporting work in this field
• Population growth will support new and restoration residential projects, including multi-unit buildings, in some of Ontario’s largest urban centres
• Manufacturing operations should create opportunities for technologists and technicians to assist in product design, prototypes, and implementation

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• There are three voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario, named Draftsperson – Mechanical, Draftsperson – Plastic Mould Design, and Draftsperson – Tool and Die Design
• Voluntary designations such as Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) or Certified Technician (C.Tech.) are available through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

Here are some key facts about Drafting technologists and technicians in Ontario:

• Approximately 9,700 people work in this occupation.
• Drafting technologists and technicians mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 50%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 11%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 70% of drafting technologists and technicians work all year, while 30% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 11% of drafting technologists and technicians are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 72% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 28% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 17% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 46% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 25% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "design technician - drafting" in Ontario or Canada.

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