Almost every council department uses computers to store and retrieve information. Computers are also used in design projects. In the past, “draughtsmen” produced “technical drawings”. Now, computer aided design systems are the norm for creating overall designs or detailed drawings. CAD operators are skilled users of information systems and do some of the more routine design work as part of a design team. They work in drawing offices and support all the local authority services.

Work Environment

CAD operators may work as part of the Information Technology services team or in engineering divisions. They are normally based in a light, airy design office or drawing office, or in a design section of a larger open plan office with engineers and technicians. They work at a personal computer or a specially designed workstation operating a CAD system. Some systems are linked up with other designers within the team working with architects, the engineers in the property and environmental services and their fellow technicians in IT, for example.
A basic working week of 37 hours, Monday to Friday is normal. Sometimes overtime is required.

Daily Activities

Operators normally work in a team supporting draughtspersons and engineering designers with each of them working on part of the project. It might be to do with a new transportation plan or the development of a municipal golf course. The team or project leader is usually an incorporated design engineer or a chartered engineer. There will be visits to sites but the work is mostly in front of the computer.

Junior operators work on technical drawings for components or small sections of a product or project. Senior persons have responsibility for major sections or overall design of projects and see it through to detailing for production. They may start from instructions from the team/project leader, written or spoken. Usually they work from design drawings of the entire project or section, or possibly from a physical model or computer model of the proposed item.

Computer aided design is not only about making things attractive but also, as with architecture, there are hard technical considerations to be borne in mind such as safety and environmental issues, for example, which entail a great deal of research.

Skills & Interests

CAD operators must have:

• an understanding of the logic of engineering drawing and principles
• knowledge of the qualities of metals and other materials
• knowledge of manufacturing processes and construction methods
• good communication skills
• numeracy and IT skills
• the ability to work in a team
• the ability to work alone, using initiative in an organised way
• an interest in solving problems and finding practical solutions
• good colour vision.

Entry Requirements

Entry at 16-18 is possible through Apprenticeships (Skillseekers in Scotland) with an employer. Entry requirements are four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including maths and science or technology or an appropriate intermediate GNVQ/GSVQ Level 2.
Note that there are changes being made in the Scottish qualifications system.

Training is mainly on the job with the more theoretical aspects covered by day or bloc release to study at a local college.

Estimated salary range

£18,000 - £21,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There is a clear promotion path from engineering craftsperson to draughtsperson and engineering technician by studying part time for a relevant EDEXCEL/BTEC HNC/D or SQA NC group award qualification or by acquiring NVQ/SVQ level 3. (See further information and services)

As an engineering operative or in a non-engineering post it may be possible to study part time for these qualifications then apply for an engineering technician job.

This is a rapidly growing area and there are opportunities in many other industries – construction, aerospace, railways, electronics, broadcasting and telecommunications.

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