Drafting Technician (Architectural/Civil) certificate

This full-time program has been designed to prepare students for entry-level drafting positions in the architectural, civil, and related fields.

Throughout this 10-month program, the instructors  will endeavour to create an environment similar to that found in industry. Students will be given the maximum responsibility for the solution of design problems and will be encouraged to develop their creative talents and techniques beyond the level demanded of a junior draftsperson.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a draftsperson, you should have good hand and eye coordination, mechanical aptitude, facility with mathematics, and the ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers in a design team.

Employment opportunities

If you complete this program successfully, your training will give you appropriate skills for employment in an entry-level position with a broad range of private firms or public agencies or departments which provide design and drafting services in architectural, civil, and related engineering fields.

Entrance requirements

To be admitted you must:

• be 19 years of age or older, or have B.C. secondary school graduation (or equivalent), plus
• have successfully completed Physics 11(or equivalent), plus
• have one of the following with a “B” or better:
• Principles of Math 11
• MATH 084 and MATH 085.
• if you think you have equivalent courses or acceptable technical background, contact the instructors at 604-504-7441, local 4237, to make an appointment for orientation and assessment. If you have a successful interview and assessment, you may be eligible to enter the program without the above stated prerequisites.

How to apply

1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. You can also print an application form from our website at www.ufv.ca/ar, or you can apply directly through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca. See the Admissions chart for a complete list of application dates and general information.

Additional documents required for a complete application:

• proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, and
• transcript (or interim transcript) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements or
• written permission from instructor

2. All applicants must attend an orientation session following receipt of their application. You will be informed about orientation dates in the new year.
You must attend or make special arrangements with the instructors to be eligible for admission to the program.

3. When all entrance requirements are met, you will be admitted to the program or placed on a waitlist.

Application dates

Applications will be accepted on or after October 1 for the fall semester.

Fees and additional costs

Fees stated are in effect for 2003/04 and are subject to change for 2004/05.

The fee for the first semester is approximately $1,300, the fee for the second semester is approximately $1,800, and the fee for the third semester is approximately $1,200.

Be prepared to spend an additional $800 on textbooks, drawing kits, binders, calculators, rain gear, etc.

Financial aid may be available through the Financial Aid office at any UCFV campus.

Workload and classroom expectations

You are required to attend all classes — five hours a day, five days a week. In addition, you will be responsible for the completion of approximately 15 hours of assigned homework each week.

Dates and location

The program starts in September, and is located in the Trades and Technology Centre, Abbotsford campus.

Program outline

The new provincial common core drafting program was incorporated into the program in 1996.

This program has been developed on the following modular basis:

First semester (September–December)

Note: DRTE 1, 2, 3 are prerequisites to register for DRTE 4, 5

Second semester (January–April)

Third semester (April–June)

(Basic Surveying encompassing both the field and office operations and procedures associated with road building and layout, construction and utility layout and land surveying.)

(Do not register or pay for this program. You will be registered as a class when it starts within this semester.)

Note: This program was evaluated by the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C. (ASTTBC) in 1991, and has been granted academic credit for 10 of the 12 subject areas required for Certified Technician status with ASTTBC. Graduates of the program may complete two additional subject areas in either the Building or Civil disciplines to attain full academic requirements for certification.

Faculty

Larry Gritzmaker, Journeyperson Carpentry, Certificate in Architectural and Civil Drafting (UCFV), Instructor Diploma (VCC), Certified Technician (ASTTBC)

Career Technical Centre

UCFV and School District #34 (Abbotsford) operate a jointly sponsored Career Technical Centre. Drafting students enter at the Grade 11 level and complete high school and a one-year UCFV Drafting certificate over two years.

Faculty

Tricia Thomson, Diploma in Building Technology (BCIT), Applied Science Technologists (ASTTBC), Instructor Diploma (VCC)

Drafting upgrading

Interested parties should contact the instructor for information regarding the possibility of upgrading.

Fees for upgrading students

Fees stated are in effect for 2003/04 and are subject to change for 2004/05.

Fees are based on one-week blocks of training at approximately $92 per week, which includes the tuition fees plus 10% of the tuition for ancillary fees. In addition, students will pay a $45 application fee, a $25 Student Union Society membership fee, and a $2 Cascade student newspaper fee. Additional fees may be charged, depending on the topic of the upgrade.

Program advisory committee

Rita Alexander, Architect
Ron Clifford, First Heritage Savings
Doug Clough, Omega & Associates Engineering
Phillip Craven, Craven, Houston & Powers
George Epp, L.M.S. Design & Drafting
Dwayne Friesen, Summit Design Studio
Glenn Froese, BC Silo and Tank
Darren Hall, D & D Drafting
Jim Hipwell, PlanTech Design & Drafting Incorporated
Eric Hoogenraad, City of Abbotsford
Teresa Meeres, Meeres Construction & Drafting
Barry Murley, Western Canada RV
Arm Pettie, Shelter Industries
Rob Quiring, Isaac Quiring Engineer
Jeff Wright, Britco Structures

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