In the realm of technological education, students engage in a diverse array of fields ranging from computer technology and health care to hospitality and tourism. Courses are designed to provide practical knowledge and hands-on experience, preparing students for various career paths.
Technological Design Career Opportunities/Pathways
Drafting/Mechanical Engineering Design
These are multiple forms and often support architects and engineers in their planning processes. OntarioColleges.ca describe their role as follows, "Drafting and design programs are often geared toward a particular industry. For example:
-Residential drafting and design. These programs combine traditional drafting and computer-assisted drafting (CAD)training with knowledge of building codes, material costs and estimating, construction theory and more to prepare students to create residential designs on their own or alongside architects.
-Mechanical engineering drafting and design. Students learn all of the traditional skills of mechanical engineering programs, but these programs will also feature a design component that teaches computer-assisted drafting. This drafting component is closely tied to computer-assisted manufacturing, giving students a well-rounded understanding of mechanical engineering as well as the ability to express design concepts through drawing and computer imaging.
These are specialists in applying the technical design elements to clothing. They often reflect or aim to redefine socio-cultural trends or events, and these specialists interact with a variety of others and often have to extend specialties to reflect skills such as marketing. Fanshawe College describes their career pathway options as including, "apparel manufacturing including designers, assistant designers, technical designers, computerized fashion illustrators, pattern makers, graders, quality controller technicians, or CAD aided design technologists."
Pathway Options: Multiple schools but no single governing body, it is dependent upon specialty - https://www.fanshawec.ca/programs/dfs4-fashion-design/next#
Interior Designer
The study of aesthetics in application to design and architecture relative to client needs using the available resources in the available space(s). The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario defines themselves to their target clients as follows, "Interior Designers create functional and beautiful design solutions for your home, business, or community in a collaborative process which considers your vision, your lifestyle, and your budget."
Pathway Options: Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario - https://arido.ca/
Industrial Designer
These are the makers of our mass produced everyday items, the things we've seen commonly since the end of the industrial revolution. The association of Chartered Industrial Designers of Ontario notes "Industrial Design plays a crucial role in our daily lives, affecting everything we see, touch, and experience. As the profession has matured, recognition of the role of Industrial Design in linking innovation, technology and business, all while emphasizing the psychological, physiological, and sociological needs of the user, is expanding."
Pathway Options: The Association of Chartered Industrial Designers of Ontario - https://acido.info/
Robotics/Industrial Automation Technicians
These are technicians and specialists who support industries such as those of mass production or specialized fields. Commonly one can see them in sectors such as automotive, medical, and research, however, they are also integrated into everyday components of people's lives in the elements of their motorized devices.
Pathway Options: Multiple schools but no single governing body, it is dependent upon specialty - https://robotics.utoronto.ca/, https://www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/robotics-and-industrial-automation
Architect
These are the planning and design gurus who lead the construction process and ensure that code standards are met. The OAA gives the following details on architectural support to projects, "Architects are highly skilled professionals with extensive training and experience, and are able to help you through the complex regulatory building requirements—including zoning bylaws, building codes, and the construction process....In Ontario, the law requires an architect to be responsible for the design and construction of most public use and large buildings."
Pathway Options: Ontario Association of Architects - https://oaa.on.ca/
Civil/Military Engineers
"Civil engineers design, build, and maintain the foundation for our modern society – our roads and bridges, drinking water and energy systems, sea ports and airports, and the infrastructure for a cleaner environment, to name just a few." (American Society of Civil Engineers) Whereas military engineers are also trained further beyond that to understand structural reinforcement specifically pertaining to impacts pertinent to conflict, the types of portable bridging systems and vehicle systems, explosives, chemical elements, testing and filtering of critical resources for chemical and biological contaminants of conflict, etc., and weapons considerations surrounding the environments they might be called to employ in. The prefix "Civil" in civil engineer is actually derived from the distinction from their military counterparts as noted in the introduction of the following article: https://eic-ici.ca/
Pathway Options: Professional Engineers of Ontario - https://www.peo.on.ca/index.php, Canadian Armed Forces - https://forces.ca/en/
Technological Design Definition:
These courses, "students with opportunities to apply a design process to meet a variety of technological challenges. Students will research projects, create designs, build models and/or prototypes, and assess products and/or processes using appropriate tools, techniques, and strategies. Student projects may include designs for homes, vehicles,
bridges, robotic arms, clothing, or other products. Students will develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to technological design, and will learn about secondary and post-secondary education and training leading to careers in the field." (Ministry of Education, 2009)
