Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

Draughtspersons, or Technicians as they are often called, are employed in a variety of industries; architecture, building services, cartography, construction engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and surveying. Increasingly Computer Aided Design (CAD) plays an important role in their work.  
 
TThey are involved in the design of machinery in a wide range of industries such as oil and gas. They must make detailed calculations and translate ideas on to paper.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
• Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
• Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
• Analyse building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
• Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
• Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
• Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
• Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
• Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
• Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

In order to become a Draughtsperson, a candidate usually has to complete a third level course in a relevant discipline.  Courses leading to qualification as a Technician in architecture, Surveying, Engineering and design would all include a significant computer aided design component.  
 
Training & Development 
Many colleges run specialised Draughtspersons courses, or ordinary bachelor degrees in disciplines.  

FET Centre Traineeship: CNC (Computer Numeric Control) Operator, Engineering OEM, Computer-Aided Design, Architectural Technology & Computer-Aided Design in centres around Ireland NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Engineering, Architecture, CAD - Computer Aided Draughting and Design, Construction technology & draughting at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Surveying, Engineering  Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Architectural Technology, Construction Technology, Design. Enegineering NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Design & Innovation, Construction Technology, Architecture, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Construction NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €65k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Irishjobs/ Morgan McKinley / Excel/ Sigmar/ Azon/ Lincoln

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Although employment growth was above average for this occupation, there have been fluctuations in recent years, with employment in 2024 broadly in line with 2021 levels. Employment levels for the individual job roles within this occupation are too small to allow for an analysis on patterns between roles. Most employed in these occupations were male, and the share of non-Irish citizens employed was above the national average.

Employment permits issued in 2024 were mainly for quantity surveyors, architectural technologists, architects (mainly landscape) while mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey all referred to quantity surveyors. The number of level 8-10 awards for surveyors (quantity and building) increased from 221 in 2019 to 341 in 2023, while levels 8-10 awards for town planners increased from 66 in 2019 to 114 in 2023. Town planners are likely to be in continued demand to design and locate infrastructure and manage housing/commercial development; however, the numbers employed are too small to allow for detailed analysis.

Demand for quantity surveyors and architects is expected to increase with any growth in housing and infrastructure activity, with shortages already evident for quantity surveyors likely to persist.

Skills shortage:

Quantity surveyors

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• Irish Planning Institute

  • Ground Floor, Fitzwilliam House, 6 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 TX34
  • 01-8788630
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here