Technical Occupations in Architecture, Drafting, Surveying and Mapping (NOC 225)

What They Do Architectural technologists and technicians research and prepare drawings/contracts for professional architects and civil design engineers. Industrial designers create and produce designs for consumer, industrial, and business products. Drafting technologists and technicians use computer-aided design and drafting (CAD) and other drafting equipment to prepare designs/drawings. Land survey technologists and technicians conduct or participate in field surveys to determine exact locations/positions of natural features/other structures. This may include use of Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment. Mapping and related technologists and technicians prepare maps, interpret aerial photographs, and operate airborne remote and in-house sensing/interpretive equipment and the Geographic Information System (GIS).

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Architectural engineering and related services 38% Public administration 8% Fabricated metal product manufacturing 5% Construction 5% Machinery manufacturing 5% Specialized design services 4% People in this group work in: Government Architectural/construction companies Utility, resource, and manufacturing industries Design, surveying, mapping, and computer software firms The unionization rate (18%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Technical Occupations in Architechture, Drafting, surveying and Mapping are found in Alberta and Quebec while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Architects, Urban Planners and Land Surveyors (NOC 215) Drafting Technologists and Technicians (NOC 2253)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Continually updating your knowledge Improving interpersonal skills Setting standards and guidelines for safety/operations Learning how to build and maintain customer relations

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need In general, you need a college, technical institute or university education, or specialized training. To be a technologist, you usually need a two- to three-year college program in your area of work. To be a technician, you usually need a one- to two-year college program in your area of work. You may require certification by a professional or technical association and other memberships. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma and almost 3 in 10 have an undergraduate university degree.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Mechanical Engineering Technologies (C315) Architectural Design and Drafting Technologies (C334) Civil Engineering Technologies (C350) Architectural Design and Drafting Technologies (T334) Drafting Technologies (T335) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Team project work Drawing 3-D visualization Writing Presenting Computer skills		Useful High School Subjects Math Computer-related courses Graphic Design Drafting Blueprint Reading Sciences
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated LIMITED because: Employement grew at a below-average rate. Hourly wages ($20.56) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is above average. The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Limited   2009   Limited

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be LIMITED because: The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You'll be competing with a large number of recent graduates. You're more likely to succeed if you have skills in computerized design and engineering technology as well as computerized mapping/satellite-positioning systems. You'll need to participate in regular professional development activities to keep up with new technologies.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $14.15 $11.74 25-54 $21.54 $19.76 55+ $25.26 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $20.56 $18.07		Hourly wages ($20.56) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are below average for occupations in the natural and applied sciences and related occupations and close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 9% 10% 1992 11% 11% 1993 8% 11% 1994 8% 10% 1995 7% 10% 1996 8% 10% 1997 5% 9% 1998 3% 8% 1999 4% 8% 2000 3% 7% 2001 5% 7% 2002 5% 8% 2003 5% 8% 2004 4% 7%

% of part-time work is about the same as average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 96% 81% Part-time 4% 19%		There were 52,800 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 3% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers is 4% compared to the 2004 average (19%) and has dropped since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Average
The percentage of self-employed workers is 11% compared to the 2004 average of 15% and has dropped significantly since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 11% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 14% 10% 25-54 76% 72% 55+ 10% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average influenced by a similar-to-average age of workers (37).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Average
The percentage of women is 23% compared to the 2004 average of 48% and has stayed about the same since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 23% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31