Electronic Engineering Draftspersons
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Electronic Engineering Draftspersons prepare detailed drawings and plans of electronic engineering work in support of Electronics Engineers and Engineering Technologists.
Specialisations: Communications and Data Systems Drafting Officer, Control Systems Drafting Officer, Electronics Detail Draftsperson.
A formal qualification in electrical or electronics engineering or another related field is usually needed to work as an Electronic Engineering Draftsperson. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
-
Translates sketches that are made by electronic engineers into detailed schematics, technical drawings, blueprints and/or templates.
-
Prepares drawings, plans and diagrams for electronic engineering work (such as circuitry) using computer aided design and drafting tools.
-
Ensures that drawings and plans follow ordinances, such as zoning laws, building codes and fire regulations.
Characteristics
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Practical
-
Analytical
-
Creative
-
Administrative
-
Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 72% of people employed as Electronic Engineering Draftspersons work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Electronic Engineering Draftspersons work in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Electronic Engineering Draftspersons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 22.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 14.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 14.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 3.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.5 | 1.9 |
-
Around 91% of Electronic Engineering Draftspersons live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
South Australia and Western Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Electronic Engineering Draftspersons is 46 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers fall into the 35 to 44 years and 45 to 54 years age ranges.
Females make up 7% of the workforce. This is 41 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Electronic Engineering Draftspersons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 4.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 11.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 9.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 46 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A formal qualification in electrical or electronics engineering or another related field is usually needed to work as an Electronic Engineering Draftsperson. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology, Transmission & Distribution, Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Electronic Engineering Draftspersons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 12.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 29.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 23.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 28.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 5.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
52%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
46%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
45%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
45%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
43%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
-
43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
41%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
41%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
41%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
39%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
39%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
34%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
70%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
67%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
65%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
59%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
55%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
54%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
41%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
38%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
37%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
27%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
25%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
24%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
22%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
21%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
20%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
18%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
14%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
13%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
12%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
8%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
57%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
50%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
50%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
50%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
48%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
43%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
-
43%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
37%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
34%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
69%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
63%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
63%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
-
60%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
57%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
55%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
55%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
52%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
50%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
47%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
47%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
47%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
42%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
42%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
39%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
37%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
-
35%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
34%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
86%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
62%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
57%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
55%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
43%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
33%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
Demands
-
100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
98%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
97%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
97%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
96%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
92%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
91%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
87%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
86%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
82%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
77%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
76%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
71%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
68%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
68%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
67%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
63%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-3012.01 - Electronic Drafters.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.