GrabCAD South Africa

Hi Piet

As a draftsman it’s almost impossible. Most of the big jobs

require a Professional mechanical design engineer to sign off, and most

draftsmen almost never design, in rare cases you might design and do the

drawings. Hence the scarcity of freelance drafting jobs. if you only have a drafting

qualification, chances landing a project is between far and few.  

My advice, qualify yourself as a Mechanical Designer/engineer if

you have not done so already (assuming). Get as much exp as possible 2 years at

a company and move on to something new, the more you know the better your

chances. Get a good paying job is difficult especially as a draftsperson and

even more so in the beginning of your career.  

Qualified Mechanical Designers with 10 years plus can easily

start out from 400 + a year depending again on exp and the company. I

personally know of some Mechanical designers (not engineers) earning close to a

bar and some over per annum.

At your current job if you do get to be involved with other

clients.

Drop hints and tell them if they ever required freelance work,

you could help out after hours etc, that is how I started and remember subtlety

it is very important.

You don’t want to look desperate, nor do you want to look like you are taking away from your current employer.

Hope I could shed some light on your question.

Regards

Zac

Hi Piet,

Zac is correct. The past couple of years the whole drafting environment changed. As per advice it could be better to either get a technical qualification but that could also pose a problem. Few places give online/part time courses in Mechanical Engineering. A College is the most likely option but you can only go to N6. That said one can work toward obtaining a PRxxx certification at the Engineering Council.

Also as mentioned, drop hints that you can do free lance work.

Another thing one should do is get legal cad programs. It is not worth it to go the other route. Go and investigate this. I got a whole CAD suit from on supplier. It actually costs less than only two of their mainstream packages but you get a whole lot more programs.

I went my own way and are not looking back. Yes it takes time and you worry a lot but still worth it. Also the quality of worth you do is a big factor. Eventually your availability spreads by word of mouth.

Hope this helps.

If you want to start getting in to the industry with out a mechanica engineer.

Understand your Cad Sportwear a best as possable, this will allow you to work faster and will be able to communicate your clients much better.

you must have a Broad understanding of the industry and knowledge of the the manufacturing methods in your industry. this will help you give suggestions and sell your self much better.

If you have a passion for the machining industry, i believe best way to is to start, is by going to machine shops, and sell your self there, by doing that you can open doors by assisting them with discussion drawings, work shop drawings of parts that are being refurbished or restored. you can also help them convert drawings into Models to assist with CAM.

There is allot of small shops sitting without the capability that is holding them back, if you can het that market in get in there i belief it will open doors.

Just a Suggestion