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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.
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