Khumalo Dakarai
In South Africa, there are several institutions offering draughting courses, catering to various sectors such as engineering, architecture, and construction. Here, we will see some examples of draughting courses and their general requirements.
Draughting Courses In South Africa
1. National Certificate in Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice (NQF 4)
- At: CTU Training Solutions
- Overview: This course covers the fundamentals of draughting in different fields like mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil draughting.
- Duration: 1 year
- Requirements:
- Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent.
- Competency in mathematics (preferably passed with 50% or above).
- Basic computer literacy.
2. Architectural Draughting
- At: Academy of Draughting
- Overview: This course focuses on architectural design, developing skills in building plans, layouts, and 3D designs.
- Duration: 2 years (part-time and full-time options).
- Requirements:
- Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification.
- Background in technical drawing or relevant industry experience may be beneficial.
3. Higher Certificate in Architectural Technology
- At: Inscape Education Group
- Overview: Focuses on architectural draughting with a blend of theory and practical skills development, including the use of AutoCAD and Revit.
- Duration: 1 year full-time
- Requirements:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
- Pass in English and Mathematics.
- Portfolio of work may be required.
4. Multi-Disciplinary Draughting National Certificate
- At: Draughting Academy
- Overview: This course prepares students for careers in various disciplines like mechanical, civil, and electrical draughting.
- Duration: 1 year
- Requirements:
- Grade 12 with a pass in Mathematics and Physical Science.
- Computer skills, particularly in AutoCAD, are recommended.
5. Computer Aided Draughting (CAD) Courses
- At: South African Institute of Draughting
- Overview: Focus on computer-aided design, teaching software like AutoCAD, Inventor, and Revit, with applications in various industries.
- Duration: Short courses (3-6 months).
- Requirements:
- Basic knowledge of computers.
- No formal education requirements, although a technical background is advantageous.
6. National Diploma in Engineering: Mechanical
- At: Tshwane University of Technology
- Overview: Includes a comprehensive component on draughting within the mechanical engineering field.
- Duration: 3 years
- Requirements:
- Grade 12 with Mathematics and Science.
- Meet university entrance requirements (APS score).
- Portfolio review may be required for certain design-related programs.
General Admission Requirements Of Draughting Courses
While the specific entry requirements vary by institution and course, most draughting courses require:
- A Grade 12 certificate with passes in Mathematics and Physical Science.
- Basic computer literacy.
- A portfolio or prior knowledge of technical drawing for some advanced courses.
Most institutions offer both full-time and part-time study options, and short courses may also be available for professionals wanting to enhance specific skills.
Fees Of Draughting Courses In South Africa
The fees for drafting (draughting) courses in South Africa can vary depending on the institution, level of the course, and duration. Here’s a general idea:
- Short Courses:
- Fees: R5,000 to R15,000
- Duration: A few weeks to a few months
- These courses may cover the basics of draughting or specific software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).
- Diploma or Certificate Programs:
- Fees: R20,000 to R60,000 per year
- Duration: 1 to 3 years
- Offered by technical colleges and some universities.
- Advanced Diploma or Specialized Programs:
- Fees: R40,000 to R100,000
- Duration: 1 to 2 years
- More specialized or advanced draughting, such as civil, architectural, or mechanical draughting.
Different institutions might have additional costs, such as registration fees, material fees, and software licenses. To get exact fees, it’s best to check with specific schools like CTU Training Solutions, Draughting Academy, or Inscape Education Group
Career Opportunities Of Draughting Courses In South Africa
Draughting, or drafting, is a valuable skill in South Africa, as it involves creating technical drawings used in construction, manufacturing, engineering, and architecture. A draughting course equips you with the ability to produce detailed plans that professionals can use for building, production, or design.
Here are some career opportunities available in South Africa for those with draughting qualifications:
1. Architectural Draughtsperson
- Role: Assist architects by creating technical drawings of buildings, plans for construction, and layout designs.
- Industries: Construction, real estate development, urban planning.
- Opportunities: Residential, commercial, and public infrastructure projects.
2. Civil Draughtsperson
- Role: Prepare detailed drawings for civil engineering projects like roads, bridges, and water systems.
- Industries: Civil engineering, infrastructure development.
- Opportunities: Public works projects, infrastructure consulting firms, government departments.
3. Mechanical Draughtsperson
- Role: Create blueprints for mechanical components, systems, and machines.
- Industries: Manufacturing, engineering, automotive, mining.
- Opportunities: Industrial design, product development, and mining equipment.
4. Electrical Draughtsperson
- Role: Develop technical drawings for electrical systems, including wiring layouts and power systems.
- Industries: Electrical engineering, energy, telecommunications.
- Opportunities: Power plants, renewable energy projects, electrical companies.
5. Structural Draughtsperson
- Role: Specialize in creating plans and drawings related to the structural components of buildings and infrastructure.
- Industries: Construction, engineering.
- Opportunities: Large infrastructure projects, high-rise buildings, and bridges.
6. Piping Draughtsperson
- Role: Prepare drawings for piping systems in industries such as oil & gas, water treatment, and petrochemicals.
- Industries: Oil and gas, chemical plants, water utilities.
- Opportunities: Work in refineries, energy production plants, and water management companies.
7. CAD Operator or Technician
- Role: Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create and modify technical drawings.
- Industries: Any field that requires precision in technical drawings, including architecture, engineering, and manufacturing.
- Opportunities: Diverse roles in design offices, architectural firms, and engineering consultancies.
8. Town Planning Draughtsperson
- Role: Assist in the planning and development of towns and cities by creating urban layouts and zoning plans.
- Industries: Urban planning, government departments, municipal agencies.
- Opportunities: Government urban planning departments, private real estate development firms.
9. Mining Draughtsperson
- Role: Create detailed layouts for mining sites, including plans for underground and open-pit mines.
- Industries: Mining and minerals.
- Opportunities: Work with mining companies to support exploration, production, and mine planning.
10. Marine Draughtsperson
- Role: Develop detailed drawings for ships, boats, and marine structures.
- Industries: Marine engineering, shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas.
- Opportunities: Shipyards, marine design firms, and offshore oil platforms.
Job Market and Growth
- South Africa has a growing need for skilled draughtspersons, especially in sectors like infrastructure development, renewable energy, and real estate.
- With advancements in technology, proficiency in CAD software is increasingly in demand. Employers seek individuals who can work on software like AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, and MicroStation.
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Conclusion
In summary, draughting courses offer a range of career opportunities across various industries, including construction, engineering, and manufacturing, and these skills are highly valued in South Africa’s growing economy