Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build everything from manufactured products such as spacecraft or industrial machinery to structures such as office buildings or oil and gas pipelines.

Their drawings provide visual guidelines, showing the technical details of the products and structures, specifying dimensions, materials to be used, and procedures and processes to be followed. Drafters fill in technical details, using CAD computerized software, drawings, rough sketches, specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, they use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details of a structure. Some drafters use their knowledge of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine in order to determine design elements such as the number and kind of fasteners needed to assemble it. They use technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to do this.

Learn more about careers available in Drafting or related technical careers

Programs in Drafting are offered at Cibola High School, Kofa High School, Parker High School, and Yuma High School. Building Trades programs at Antelope High School and Salome High School also have segments on Drafting.

Your high school Drafting program provides you with a solid base for several career paths, depending on your career goals. Talk with your high school drafting instructor for the specific classes you should take to best prepare you for your future.

AWC offers several options for your career path including certificate programs, two-year career degrees, and two-year transfer degrees for students planning to pursue a four-year degree. Some programs you might consider include:

	Industrial Graphics-Drafting/CADD*
You may also consider:
	Industrial Education**
	Industrial Technology*
	Engineering**
	Engineering Technology**
	Computer Graphics*

* A.A.S. 2-year Degree, 1 year certificate also available in Drafting.
**A.A. or A.S. degrees that transfer to Arizona universities towards a 4-year degree.

For more information on the programs at AWC check out their Program Finder

(Salaries taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01, US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.)