Bhagwant Duggal, Mechanical Technician

Walk the talk

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"My greatest accomplishment is to say what I am doing and do it instead of procrastinate . I'd rather devote myself to something I'm actually going to do or achieve, whatever it may be.

"I enjoy drafting, I enjoy designing, but there is a lot more I want to learn. There's a lot more I want to accomplish. It's all in steps. It's an ongoing phase."

Where I work

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"Accutech is a small company, but we deal with a lot of large projects. We have about 10 employees and the CEO, so it's a small tight-knit group, but we work very well together.

"Most of our projects are up north. We have the majority of the job work force up there as well, since nobody has really tapped into that other than us. We've done jobs like Nunavut Justice Centre and schools."

Benefits of smaller firm

This is an engineering firm like any other in some ways. But as a smaller firm, we have a lot more freedom than a large firm has to be more creative.

At a larger firm, you usually have to answer to three or four other people to get things approved, which can take a long time. It's faster-paced here because we deal with the head engineer directly. This lessens the delay in getting approval.

Key role in company

My main duties in this job are to make sure that the drafting part of it is done up to par and that it is coordinated with the other structural and electrical disciplines.

I have to make sure that everything flows in the plan and that nothing is missed. If we miss something, it is the Engineer's seal that goes on there, so in the end it's his responsibility. He relies on me to do my job properly.

Background systems

Mechanical engineering deals with HVAC, which is heating, venting and air conditioning. It deals with plumbing and drainage as well. It covers all the heating and all the ducting that goes into a regular office building.

You usually don't see or pay any attention to all these systems because they're in the background. But mechanical engineering plays a big and important role in how the building is put together.

Tools for design

I use a standard office computer with upgrades. We deal with a lot of graphics in the drafting and designing process. The main software we're using is Autodesk "Building Systems".

On building renovation sites I use a camera, a measuring tool and a level and I also take a lot of notes. I take pictures so I can visualize where every thing is. I do a lot of measuring, but the pictures help in case I miss things.

Enjoy Manitoba

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"I enjoy the people, they are very friendly. I've been other places as well, like Toronto, Vancouver and they're more of a fast-paced, more faceless kind of environment where everyone is go, go, go Here it is a little more relaxed."

"You can actually raise your family properly here. Property wise, it's a lot cheaper than anywhere else. We have a lot more greenery, a lot more parks, where you can do stuff outdoors."

Evolving Sikh culture

I am Sikh and in our culture, we have traditionally had arranged marriages. It used to be that your parents chose who you marry based on the parents' background, caste, culture, and financial situation.

When my parents married, their parents chose who they were supposed to marry and that's the way it was and you fall in love afterward. Nowadays that is a little harder to do.

Married two years

I've been married for two years. I knew my wife for five years before we got married. I met her at university when she was studying Education.

Dating in Sikh society is not necessarily encouraged so while we were at school we just saw each other here and there. It was a little hard for my parents to understand that society is changing, but eventually it worked out. We are married now and we're very happy together.

Active time off

When I get time off work I do a lot of different things. I play sports, work out, read and play a little x-box. I try to spend more time outdoors since I'm indoors all the time at the office, so I stay away from the TV as much as possible.

My wife and I like to go to the movies and ride our bikes. We have recently started rollerblading and playing basketball. I got her interested in basketball and now she's more of a fan than I am.

Future plans

I'm planning on staying in Manitoba. I've got a fairly a good future here and so does my wife, who is a teacher. Unless something drastic happens, like we each got great jobs somewhere else, we're planning on staying.

We're thinking of waiting another year before we have children, just to enjoy married life with each other We'll know when the time comes to have little ones.

Sometimes long hours

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"When things are going crazy I usually get here about quarter after seven in the morning and depending how busy it is, I won't leave until maybe eleven at night.

"I have actually stayed until two or three depending on what needs to be done. If I need to get certain amount of information displayed on a drawing, I'll stay and do it until it is done."

Start of typical day

On most days, I come in and check my email and see if there are updates on any new type of information from either a client or anyone else in the office.

I communicate with members of my team to see if there is anything new that has been developed from the particular project that we're working on and go over any changes or new developments with the engineer. Then I work on drafting.

No set schedule

I don't have a set schedule of doing the same thing every day. It varies. Some days I just sit in front of the computer working on the drafting.

Other days I run back and forth organizing certain things, calling people or talking to the engineer.

Myths about my job

One of the myths about technologists in my field is that we are a little nerdy and just sit in our office at our desks and don't interact with anyone.

It's simply not the case. I know a fair amount of information but I'm far from a nerd. I also spend a lot of time with other people in the process of doing my job.

Creative work

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"I like drawing, I like being visually creative. I also do painting as well so that kind of plays into stuff I like doing.

"I like architecture, I like designing, I like buildings.They all tie in to what I wanted to do. This had a bit of everything so it fit in very well."

Need people skills

People skills are very important in our work. I know everyone in our work group and I have to get along with them. I may not get along with everyone all the time but that's where team skills and people skills come in handy. If I've had a bad day, I can't just take it out on everyone around me.

It also helps to know how to organize a group and how to communicate your ideas effectively to other people.

Relaxed environment

It's a very relaxed and very comfortable work environment. While I'm working on something, I can take a break if I need to get away from it. I can start a conversation with someone else about what they did yesterday or what's going on.

We do joke around here and there. The people I work with are very good and very easy going.

Average stress

The pace is fairly average here. It's like any other company. If I need to meet a deadline I have to reach it by all means, so that can be stressful at times. I can go from having minimum amount of work to do to having a hundred things to do and all of them have to be done now.

If I'm stressed out I'll go out and take a walk down the street. When I come back, I am fine and can get back to work.

Important work

My job is important because I think that I'm actually making a difference. When I'm designing a building, I'm part of something. I'm part of a community that is doing something positive.

We are creating something, building something, and in the process of building it, a lot more people will be employed. It's a positive thing.

Hands-on program

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"I'd learned the majority of this at Red River College. It's a Building Design program. Designing and CAD is in high demand right now.

They gave me more of a hands-on approach which is what I like. I would rather see what I'm doing and apply myself instead of read about it and draw a few diagrams. I'm more of a hands-on person which is why this applied to me. I enjoyed it."

Changed mind

I was thinking of becoming an architect at first, so I went the University of Manitoba for one year of Architecture. Over that year I realized it wasn't for me.

I did some research and found that trades are more than carpentry and mechanics. That's when I found the Red River course. It made more sense and it fit into what I wanted to do. I went directly into that and I enjoyed it very much.

Internship

I did a two year internship program through Red River College. Every summer I did a four month internship with a company. The companies post their internship positions on their web site and I applied through there.

The internship program is good because it gave me work experience and an idea of what the job involves. It helped me understand what skills it would need and what kind of education I needed to do the job.

Father helped

My father has given me a lot of insight because he's been in the work force and in a trade for a lot longer than I have. He has a lot more experience and education and has passed it on to me.

He also taught me what I needed to know for life. He's been there when I needed him to be, whether I got in trouble or on the honour roll. He's always been there supporting me so I look up to him as a role model.

Career Trek volunteer

I worked in the Career Trek program at University of Manitoba for a year. I found that to be very interesting. The program is for youth who might be at risk of quitting school.

Our job was to help them see what jobs are out there for them other than the basic jobs you see all the time. We made it fun by getting them involved and active. I worked with them on civil technology, doing surveying and drafting.

Ongoing learning

I'm taking some courses on the design software AUTOCAD. There are always new things to learn in that program.

To improve my designing skills, I will take courses either through Red River or some equivalent college in Building Design or Environmental Design where they teach you how to to size ducts properly.

Expand on skills

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"I'd like to learn how to design more, how to do pipe-sizes, duct calculating. There are other things that go into that that I haven't been taught yet, so I'd like to expand that eventually.

"Going on site to different places I don't do as much because I'm here usually, drafting it and making it work on the computer. I'd like to actually go and see what I've done and see how it all got put together. That interests me a lot."

Future open

I want to learn as much as I can about designing, building, drafting and the different codes. I want eventually have a business of my own. In another five years I will see where I've come to, where I was and whether or not it's feasible.

I am also still thinking of getting my engineering degree. That would require about four more years of schooling.

Need many skills

You have to pay very close attention to detail in this work. If you label something wrong, it might cause the company money. You have to be a creative, visual and verbal person as well. You have to know how to communicate when a problem comes up instead of letting it become a bigger problem.

If you're detail-oriented, creative, patient and open-minded to certain ideas and concepts, you should be well suited for this job.

Do your research

The advice I would give anyone wanting to get into this field is to research it to see if is something you would like to do.

Time is not always on our side. If you understand exactly what goes into your career choice ahead of time it cuts out the guessing.

Job market info

The links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.

The official title for Bhagwant's occupation is "Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians" and its NOC* code is 2232.

Manitoba Job Futures

Who Hires? - Manitoba Labour Market Information

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupation Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Education

High School

Useful High School Subjects*

Math
Physics
Chemistry
Drafting
Blueprint Reading
Computer-related courses

*Source: Job Futures.ca

For those out of school, Adult Learning Centres can help you get or upgrade your high school diploma, including adding subjects that are required for work or further education. All Manitobans are normally entitled to 4 free courses.

After high school 

Red River College

Civil/CAD Technology
This one - year program is a prerequisite for Civil Technology Diploma Programs (32 months), the Building Design and Technology Program (20 months) and the Advanced Diploma Program in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (10 months).

Structural Engineering Technology (PDF)

Building Design and Technology (PDF)

Winnipeg Technical College

Technical Drafting
Students graduating from the Technical Drafting program who have successfully completed Civil, Carto, Environmental Drafting at the 40S level will receive full credit for CAD and Drafting courses in the first year of the Civil Technology programs at RRC.

Assiniboine Community College - Brandon

Civil Technician Certificate
This is a10 month Civil Technician certificate program at Assiniboine. Students who take this have the option of continuing their studies and earning a diploma in Civil Technology at Red River College in Winnipeg.

University College of the North - The Pas/Thompson

All Programs (pdf)
Civil/CAD Technology (3 Year Co-op) page31
Civil/CAD Technology (One year Certificate) page31

Skills

Useful Experience/Skills*

- Team project work
- Proposal writing
- Presenting
- Committee work on industry ethics
- Computer skills

Source: Job Futures.ca

There is not yet an Essential Skills* profile for this occupation.

*Essential Skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.

Professional resources

Architectural & Building Technologists Association of Manitoba (ABTAM)
Association of individuals active in the architectural and building technologies within the construction industry and related fields of work

Certified Technicians and technologists Association of Manitoba (CTTAM)
Certifies Engineering Technicians and Technologists in Manitoba.

Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT)
Establishes and maintains national competency standards for certifying members with a 'quality seal of approval' in 14 applied science and engineering technology disciplines.

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