Herzing Blog

When Catherine Iaxamana came to Canada from the Philippines, she worked a series of jobs in childcare, food service, and financial services.

But her real interest was design. She had already completed a course in industrial design back in the Philippines, but she knew she needed additional training to start a career here in Toronto.

With two young sons at home, flexibility was important. She did her research and discovered that Herzing’s Building Design Technician program was a perfect fit.

We interviewed Catherine recently to find out what she thought of the program and how it prepared her for career success.

Here’s what she had to say.

Updated May 2024

Like the idea of working with architects to bring new buildings to life? Want to get into the architecture field without investing years in university training? A building design diploma could be just what you need.

This training teaches building design principles, the Ontario Building Code, and drafting software like AutoCAD and Revit. Most building design programs take well under two years, and some can be completed in just 12 months. It's the quickest way to start a career in architecture.

But what might that career look like? What kinds of opportunities are open to you once you graduate?

Read on to explore six different career paths you could take with a building design diploma.

Updated December 2022

If you're naturally interested in architecture, the building process, and creative design, you may be considering a career as a draftsperson for an architecture or design firm.

What exactly does an architectural draftsperson do? Where do they work and what kind of training do you need to get started in this field?

There's the university pathway, which could include an undergraduate degree in architecture or interior design. Or there's the college diploma route, which prepares students to serve as architectural technicians who assist architects, engineers, and designers on building projects.

In this post, we'll break down the typical responsibilities of an architectural draftsperson.

We'll also outline possible career paths after college -- and a few other things to know if you're considering training in this field.

Updated December 2024

Architects design structures for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Architectural drafters create the construction drawings needed to bring those new buildings to life. 

But sometimes drafters also consult with clients and develop design concepts. And sometimes architects do their own construction drawings.  

So what is the big difference between an architect and an architectural drafter (also known as a CAD technician)? 

Updated December 2023

This is a very good time to become a building design technician in Ontario.  

Investment in commercial and residential building projects is driving demand for design technicians in the province, and employment is expected to remain stable. 

But this is a competitive field. There are plenty of colleges producing architectural designers each year and only so many design firms and construction companies available to hire them. 

How do you position yourself as a competitive job candidate and get your career off to a strong start? 

Dorian Pai enrolled in Herzing's Building Design Technician program when he discovered his architecture degree was too theory-based to get him hired.

Dorian needed practical knowledge of the Ontario Building Code and design software to be taken seriously as a job applicant and break into the architecture field.

Like so many other students, he was looking for fast, affordable training that delivered job-ready skills. Did Herzing measure up?

Seriously considering a career in building design? You’re probably looking around and noticing many different training options in the GTA. 

Should you do a university degree in architecture? Would it make more sense to take a shorter diploma program in drafting? What about getting licensed as an architectural technologist?

Which path should you choose?

Thinking about becoming a building design technician or drafter? Love the idea of working with architects and construction teams to bring new buildings to life? 

Or maybe you already have some experience in design but need additional technical skills to take your career to the next level.

Whether you’re just starting out—or looking to upgrade your skills—quality building design training is the next logical step. 

But what exactly can you expect in class? Which technical skills and computer software will you focus on, and how long will training take? 

Examples of architectural renderings done by Albino Jr Geanga

Albino Jr Geanga immigrated to Canada several years ago, hoping to start a career in building design.

But even though he already had an architecture degree from the Philippines, he couldn't get hired without additional training in Canadian building codes and specifications.

Albino decided to take the Building Design Technician program at Herzing College Toronto. He graduated in 2018 and has successfully re-launched his career here in Canada.

We interviewed Albino to learn more about his story, and find out what he thought of Herzing's building design program.  

He told us about the skills he learned, his experience in class, and the design jobs he got after graduation.

He also shared some great advice for new students who want to start careers in building design. Here are the highlights from our interview.

Image courtesy of Zaneen, where Ikenna works as a lighting designer/tester

Would you ever guess that a building design graduate could end up specializing in high-end lighting design and quality testing?

Meet Ikenna Okpara. Ikenna is a perfect example of how diverse the field of design truly is—and the many (unexpected) things you can do with a building design diploma.