What is a Draftsman and what they do:

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The combination of math skills and artistic talent makes for an ideal building draftsman. A building draftsman is primarily responsible for the implementation of technical drawings for homes, office buildings and road networks, when working for either an Architect or Engineer. 

In the State of Florida, an independent Draftsman is permitted to prepare plans for Residences and Additions, however, any Structural Drawing is required to be prepared by an Architect or Engineer. When an independent Draftsman prepares plans for an Addition or Residence, the Electrical, Mechanical (plumbing and A/C drawings) are usually prepared by the Electrical and Mechanical Contractor. The drawings that are usually prepared by the independent Draftsman is the basic drawings, such as, Floor Plans and Elevations. 

The Draftsman is not regulated by any State or Governmental Agency, therefore, they do not hold a professional license. 

Nature of Work & Education:

1. When working for an Architect or Engineer, a building draftsman transforms a design idea into an accurate picture of a building's floor plan. The building draftsman under the supervision of an Architect or Engineer prepares drawings that serves as the guide for builders who specialize in homes, office buildings or road infrastructure. These drawings show how to construct a structure that corresponds to the specific dimensions, material limitations and related procedures, as designed by the professional.
2. Community colleges and universities offer training in drafting with a solid foundation in computer-aided design, drawing and blueprints.
3. A draftsman takes the ideas, sketches, and concepts from design professionals and turns them into detailed, accurate final plans.
4. It is common for a draftsman to work exclusively in a particular industry or discipline. Civil drafters, for example, work with engineers and surveyors to prepare land maps and sketch blueprints for buildings, bridges, tunnels, and highway structures. A mechanical draftsman might draw diagrams for machines and their parts, while an electronics drafter might outline the schematics for electrical wires and currents within houses or consumer products. It is essential for draftsmen to know a great deal about the industry in which they specialize, since drawings and blueprints need to contain even the smallest details.
5. Modern computer technology has drastically changed the roles and responsibilities of draftsmen. CAD programs allow experts to create highly accurate scale drawings that can easily be modified. A draftsman can implement virtual drawing tools to create perfect geometric shapes and two-dimensional curves. Some advanced CAD applications allow drafters to make three-dimensional representations and view a drawing from multiple angles. CAD programs can also be used to simulate real-world conditions so that engineers and drafters can predict the structural soundness of a proposed design.
6. A person who wants to become a draftsman can pursue a degree from a technical school, community college, or university. Many vocational schools and two-year colleges offer programs in technical drawing, blueprint reading, and CAD. Some motivated individuals choose to take online or correspondence courses, where they utilize CAD programs on their home computers to learn the fundamentals of drafting. Four and five-year programs at universities usually provide students with the opportunity to specialize in industrial design, architecture, or engineering-based drawing courses. While in school, students have the opportunity to begin building a professional portfolio to present to potential employers.
7. New drafters often find work in architectural, drafting, and engineering firms. Other employers include design consulting companies, construction companies, and manufacturing plants. Professional certification is not usually necessary to find work in the field, but many new drafters choose to take written and drawing tests from national organizations to improve their credentials. Draftsmen in the United States can pursue certification from the American Design Drafting Association. Similar organizations exist in most other countries, and interested individuals can find certification information by contacting local employers or searching the Internet for opportunities.