| Career Paths and Opportunities
The emergence of CADD during the last decade
has diversified the role of the Drafter/CADD Technician. This
diversification has take place in the form of the increasingly
creative work style allowed by CADD software and employment
opportunities in fields new to CADD.
Preparing drawings on a computer makes the
integration of engineering design, testing and manufacturing
a reality. It should be emphasized that computer technology
is not making the drafter, engineers assistant or architect’s
assistant obsolete. CADD is a sophisticated engineering tool
that will allow an increase in the Drafter/CADD technician’s
efficiency, work output, and ability to communicate with all
applications from design to manufacturing. Thanks to the evolving
technology, the Drafter/CADD Technician has become a person
of increasing importance in industry. CADD is now used in
such industries as construction, medical, dental, transportation,
land development, land use, part and product manufacturing,
entertainment and animation, fashion design, and interior
design and architecture. This combination of diversity in
job responsibilities and types of industries using CADD has
steadily increased the demand for trained CADD Technicians.
It is estimated that just over a million
individuals are employed in this field in the United States.
An increase of 23%-26% job growth is projected from 2000 to 2010
in California alone.* To meet
this expected increase, qualified, knowledgeable, and skilled
technicians are needed to work with new technologies and with
improved, more efficient “design-to-part” processes.
These new processes include CADD modeling software; computer
assisted engineering, and integrated concurrent manufacturing.
Industry advisory committees and educators who employ and
teach CADD technology believe such technology should be introduced
at elementary grade levels. Exposing youth, parents, and counselors
to this technology will increase their awareness of new, diverse
opportunities. Understanding the potential of CADD and today’s
engineering tools will better prepare our nation’s work
force for the digital information age.
Cutting edge education is the key to getting
one’s share of the action and that’s where Rio
Hondo College CADD comes into the picture. RHC’s program
is constantly updated to reflect the changing needs of industry.
We work with and advisory committee of industry professionals
and our teachers are professionals in the own right: Architects,
Engineers, Supervisors and Project Managers from a variety
of design manufacturing or construction companies. We also
add new software as the demand arises. This start-of-the-art
program can offer men and women a professional career path
and provide a motivated student with the skills, knowledge,
and diverse qualifications to compete in today’s job
market. Women especially are recognizing this exciting and
rewarding type of employment in which they are able to apply
their interests in graphics and design. Women currently comprise
12% of enrollees in the Rio Hondo College Architectural and
Engineering Design Drawing and CADD Programs. A similar number
of women are in today’s industry and are expected to
increase, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Men and
women who enjoy planning and creating designs find CADD to
be rewarding as they see their designs and drawings come to
life in the form of a finished product or building.
Currently, the many industries the
employ CADD Drafters, CAD Technicians/Operators, Engineer’s
and/or Architect’s assistants require a solid foundation
of basic technical skills related to technical drawing documentation.
These drawings or models are created manually and with PC
computer workstations and CAD software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation,
or Solidworks. Generally, the more education you have the
more you can expect to earn. Education also enhances one’s
chances of promotion to positions of greater responsibility.
Advancement, along the career path or ladder may include becoming
and Architect, Engineer, Designer, Animator, Project Manager,
Job Captain, Inspector, Estimator, Specifications Writer,
or Administrator.
|
