Draughtsman Course in Sri Lanka
AutoCAD, Civil and Mechanical Drafting — NVQ Level 4 Recognised
Ceylon Open Campus offers a thorough draughtsman programme covering manual drawing fundamentals through AutoCAD 2D and 3D, building construction drawings and mechanical assembly drawings. Graduate with an NVQ Level 4 certificate and the portfolio to compete for roles in Sri Lanka's construction industry or the Gulf.
The Role of a Draughtsman in Sri Lanka's Construction Economy
Every building constructed in Sri Lanka — from a three-bedroom house in Batticaloa to a multi-storey office in Colombo — requires a set of working drawings before a single brick is laid. Architects and engineers design structures, but draughtsmen translate those designs into the detailed, dimensioned, standard-compliant drawings that contractors, quantity surveyors and local authorities actually work from. Without a skilled draughtsman, no permit can be approved and no contractor can quote accurately.
The demand for trained draughtsmen has grown sharply with the expansion of the construction sector in the Eastern Province and nationwide infrastructure programmes. At the same time, the move from drawing boards to AutoCAD and BIM-compatible software means that employers consistently prefer candidates who can produce professional-grade digital drawings. The Ceylon Open Campus draughtsman course in Kattankudy addresses this need directly: students learn the underlying drawing principles before moving to AutoCAD, ensuring they understand what they are producing and why.
The programme leads to an NVQ Level 4 certificate in Draughtsmanship — a higher-level vocational qualification that opens doors to supervisory roles and Gulf employment categories unavailable to holders of lower-level certificates.
Core Skills and Modules
Manual Drafting Fundamentals
Orthographic projections, isometric views, scales, dimensioning standards and Sri Lanka Standard line-type conventions.
AutoCAD 2D Drafting
Drawing setup, layer management, blocks and attributes, hatching, dimensioning, layouts and plotting to scale.
Building Construction Drawings
Site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, foundation details, roof drawings and door/window schedules for residential and commercial projects.
Structural and Services Drawings
Column and beam layout plans, reinforcement details, and basic MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) layout drawings.
Mechanical Engineering Drawings
Assembly drawings, detail drawings, tolerancing, surface finish notation and exploded views for engineering components.
AutoCAD 3D Basics
Creating 3D solids from 2D profiles, rendering for client presentations and exporting to BIM-compatible formats.
Course Duration, Entry Requirements and Fees
| Detail | Full-Time | Part-Time (Evenings/Weekends) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 months | 9 months |
| Schedule | Mon–Fri, full day | Evenings + Saturday |
| Entry Requirement | 3 O/L passes incl. Maths C+ | 3 O/L passes incl. Maths C+ |
| Indicative Fee | LKR 55,000 | LKR 60,000 |
| Award | TVEC/NVQ Level 4 — Draughtsman | TVEC/NVQ Level 4 — Draughtsman |
Draughtsman Salaries and Career Paths
Sri Lanka Monthly Earnings
| Role | LKR/month |
|---|---|
| Junior Draughtsman | 45,000 – 65,000 |
| CAD Technician (construction firm) | 65,000 – 100,000 |
| Senior Draughtsman / Team Lead | 90,000 – 150,000 |
| Freelance (permit drawings) | 70,000 – 180,000 |
Gulf Opportunities
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha all have active construction programmes that recruit Sri Lankan draughtsmen through SLBFE-registered Gulf agencies. Firms specifically request AutoCAD experience and an NVQ Level 4 certificate.
Gulf packages including free accommodation and air ticket allowances are equivalent to LKR 120,000 to LKR 200,000 per month. Draughtsmen with BIM (Revit) skills are increasingly in demand and can command premium packages.
Draughtsmanship is closely linked to the construction trades. You may also be interested in our construction courses in Sri Lanka covering masonry and carpentry, or the CNC machine course for those interested in mechanical manufacturing drawings. See all programmes on our courses page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the draughtsman course at Ceylon Open Campus cover?
The programme covers manual drafting fundamentals (orthographic and isometric projection, scales, line types), AutoCAD 2D drafting (floor plans, elevations, sections, detail drawings), AutoCAD 3D solid modelling basics, building construction drawings (architectural, structural and services), mechanical engineering drawings (assembly and detail), reading and interpreting bills of quantities, and Sri Lanka Standard specifications relevant to civil and construction drawing.
What are the entry requirements for the draughtsman course?
Applicants should have at least three O/L passes including mathematics at grade C or above. Good spatial reasoning and an interest in construction or mechanical engineering are important attributes. A basic computer literacy test is conducted at enrolment for candidates with no prior computer experience — keyboard and mouse proficiency is all that is needed before the course begins.
Is the draughtsman certificate NVQ recognised?
Yes. The programme is mapped to the TVEC National Competency Standard for Technical Drawing and leads to an NVQ Level 4 certificate in Draughtsmanship. This is a higher-level vocational qualification recognised by construction companies, engineering consultancies, local authorities and overseas employers, particularly in the Gulf construction sector.
How long is the draughtsman course and what is the fee?
The programme runs for 6 months full-time (five days per week) or 9 months part-time (evening and weekend classes). The indicative fee is LKR 55,000 for the full-time route and LKR 60,000 for the part-time route (reflecting the extended duration of instructor contact). Payment can be divided into three monthly instalments.
What salary can a draughtsman earn in Sri Lanka?
Junior draughtsmen working under a consultant engineer or architect typically earn LKR 45,000 to LKR 65,000 per month. Experienced draughtsmen handling independent projects for construction companies earn LKR 70,000 to LKR 110,000. Senior CAD technicians working for large engineering firms or government infrastructure projects can earn LKR 90,000 to LKR 150,000. Freelance draughtsmen who prepare permit drawings for individual clients often earn significantly more during peak construction periods.
Are there overseas opportunities for draughtsmen from Sri Lanka?
The Gulf construction sector employs large numbers of Sri Lankan draughtsmen, particularly in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With an NVQ Level 4 certificate and a portfolio of AutoCAD drawings, graduates can apply through SLBFE-registered agencies for draughting roles with construction consultancies, contracting firms and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) design offices. Gulf salaries including accommodation range from LKR 120,000 to LKR 200,000 equivalent per month.
Start Your Draughting Career at Ceylon Open Campus
Contact us today to discuss the next intake date and flexible payment options.
Phone
075 922 0083
coc.ceylon@gmail.com
Campus
Kattankudy, Sri Lanka