Drafting technologists and technicians
Occupation · NOC 2021 22212 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 22212
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 915
- Median wage, Canada
- C$31.79 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,942
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About this occupation
Drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs, drawings and related technical information, such as building information models (BIM), in multidisciplinary engineering teams or in support of engineers, architects or industrial designers, or they may work independently. They are employed by consulting and construction companies, utility, resource and manufacturing companies, all levels of government and by a wide range of other establishments.
Example job titles
- architectural draftsperson
- building information modelling (BIM) technologist
- computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) technologist
- computer-assisted drafting (CAD) technician
- design and drafting technologist
- drafting office supervisor
- drafting technician
- drafting technologist
- draftsperson
- electrical draftsperson
- electromechanical draftsperson
- electronic draftsperson
- engineering design and drafting technologist
- mechanical draftsperson
- steel detailer - drafting
- structural draftsperson
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Drafting technologists
- Develop and prepare engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data
- Create building information models (BIM), using computer software, to provide digital representations of physical and functional aspects of buildings and other engineering projects
- Operate computer-assisted design (CAD) and drafting workstations
- Develop and prepare design sketches
- Complete documentation packages and produce drawing sets
- Check and verify design drawings to conform to specifications and design data
- Write technical reports
- Prepare contracts and tender documents
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a two- to three-year college program in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field is usually required for drafting and design technologists.
- Completion of a one- to two-year college program in drafting or completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or four to five years of related experience plus completion of college or industry courses in drafting are usually required for drafting technicians.
- Trade certification for draftspersons is available, but voluntary in Ontario.
- Certification in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians may be required by employers.
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 64 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 125 |
| 2023 | 137 |
| 2024 | 173 |
| 2025 | 177 |
| 2026 | 20 |
- Creaform Inc.22
- Dessin Beauce Atlas Inc.15
- J.I.T. Laser Inc.9
- Walters Inc.8
- Groupe Castech/Plessitech Inc.7
- Genoa Design International6
- Whitemud Ironworks Limited6
- Équipements Frontmatec inc.5
- Groupe Lessard Inc5
- Creaform5
- Enclos Corp4
- Industries Canatal inc.4
- Pro-Metal Plus Inc4
- Regency Innovations Inc4
- StructureCraft Builders Inc.4
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 | 80 |
| 2025 | 70 | 80 |
| 2024 | 75 | 55 |
| 2023 | 75 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 | 45 |
| 2020 | 0 | 25 |
| 2019 | 0 | 65 |
| 2018 | 0 | 25 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 0 | 10 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 50 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2024 | 130 |
| 2025 | 150 |
| 2026 | 110 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 75 |
| 2016 | 70 |
| 2017 | 140 |
| 2018 | 220 |
| 2019 | 250 |
| 2020 | 155 |
| 2021 | 570 |
| 2022 | 200 |
| 2023 | 275 |
| 2024 | 275 |
| 2025 | 325 |
| 2026 | 290 |
- Canadian Experience Class1,810
- Provincial Nominee Program490
- Federal Skilled Worker105
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$21.50 | C$31.79 | C$48.38 |
| Alberta | C$25.48 | C$36.00 | C$53.85 |
| British Columbia | C$20.00 | C$33.65 | C$51.00 |
| Manitoba | C$22.00 | C$30.03 | C$48.56 |
| New Brunswick | C$23.32 | C$30.00 | C$40.11 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$25.00 | C$36.00 | C$56.73 |
| Nova Scotia | C$19.63 | C$29.85 | C$45.01 |
| Ontario | C$20.00 | C$31.25 | C$48.08 |
| Quebec | C$21.00 | C$29.81 | C$42.31 |
| Saskatchewan | C$23.47 | C$35.78 | C$48.98 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,942
- Vacancies advertised
- 2,180
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$25.30
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