Hiring and Sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians (SOC Code 3120)

CAD; Drawing and Architectural Technicians - SOC Code 3120

• Role Overview: The CAD drawing and architectural technicians are essential professionals in the construction and design industries, focusing on transforming conceptual designs into detailed plans and drawings.
• Key Responsibilities:
• • Design Examination: Analyze design specifications and technical information to ascertain general project requirements.
  • Material Suitability: Evaluate various materials based on dimensions, weight, fatigue, stresses, tolerances, bonds, and threads.
  • Regulatory Preparations: Prepare necessary regulatory and statutory applications to ensure compliance with laws and codes.
  • Health and Safety Monitoring: Contribute to the design stage risk assessment and monitor health and safety standards throughout the design process.
  • Drawing Preparation: Create design drawings, plans, and sketches utilizing both CAD software and traditional drafting methods, ensuring feasibility and construction compliance.
  • Detailing: Produce detailed drawings, charts, and maps that encompass natural features, surface finishes, elevations, electrical circuitry, and other project specifics as needed.
  • Drawing Reproduction: Coordinate the reproduction of completed drawings for use as working documents in construction.
  • Technical Maintenance: Install, maintain, and repair 3D printers and assist in developing CAM plans to enhance operational efficiency.
• Industry Demand: In line with the growing demand for skilled technicians in the construction and design sectors, employers are increasingly looking for qualified talent, including international candidates, to fill these crucial roles.

This guide is designed to assist HR professionals in understanding the hiring and sponsorship processes for CAD drawing and architectural technicians under the UK’s immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for CAD; drawing and architectural technicians?

SOC Code 3120 refers to CAD (Computer-Aided Design) drawing and architectural technicians who play a vital role in the construction and architectural industries. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining design specifications: Analyzing technical information to determine general requirements for projects.
• Material suitability assessment: Considering the appropriateness of different materials based on dimensions, weight, and probable fatigue, stresses, tolerances, bonds, and threads.
• Preparing regulatory applications: Creating documentation required for regulatory and statutory compliance.
• Monitoring health and safety: Contributing to risk assessments during the design stage to ensure safety in designs.
• Creating design drawings: Using CAD systems and traditional techniques to prepare detailed drawings, plans, charts, or maps.
• Feasibility checks: Ensuring designs comply with health and safety regulations and are feasible for construction.
• Reproducing working drawings: Arranging for completed drawings to be printed for practical use in project execution.
• 3D printer management: Installing, maintaining, and repairing 3D printers while assisting in the creation of CAM plans and managing the operation of the printers.

CAD drawing and architectural technicians provide essential technical support in building and design processes, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

Eligibility to Hire CAD; drawing and architectural technicians (SOC Code 3411)

Job Title: CAD, Drawing and Architectural Technician

1. Job Requirements

Candidates applying for the CAD, Drawing and Architectural Technician role must possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Educational Background: A degree or diploma in architectural technology, civil engineering technology, or a related field is preferred.
• Technical Skills:
• • Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) and traditional drawing methods.
  • Familiarity with building codes, regulations, and safety standards.
• Experience:
• • Demonstrated experience in preparing technical drawings, plans, and sketches.
  • Knowledge of design specifications and structural requirements.
• Material Knowledge: 
• • Understanding of various materials, their properties, and suitability based on dimensions and weight.
• Analytical Skills:
• • Ability to calculate fatigue, stresses, tolerances, bonds, and threads associated with engineering designs.
• Health and Safety Awareness:
• • Experience in contributing to risk assessments and monitoring health and safety in design projects.
• 3D Printing Proficiency:
• • Skills in installing, maintaining, and repairing 3D printers, as well as assisting in developing CAM plans.

Ensure that your experience and qualifications align with the expectations for the CAD, Drawing and Architectural Technician role as defined by SOC Code 3120.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians under SOC Code 3120.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK CAD; drawing and architectural technicians, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas CAD; drawing and architectural technicians under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for CAD; drawing and architectural technicians applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for CAD; drawing and architectural technicians

Before the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the CAD; drawing and architectural technicians’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future CAD; drawing and architectural technicianss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians

Sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians under SOC Code 3120 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring CAD; drawing and architectural technicians under SOC Code 3120 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.