Computer Aided Drafting Jobs

Computer aided drafting jobs are available across a range of different industries these days, and some of these jobs pay extremely well. Its all about supply and demand, and right now theres not enough qualified people to replace all the older highly skilled drafters and designers who are retiring. The problem is the old guys know their industries inside and out, they know how to get things built, even though they dont always know how the CAD software works. Many older designers are being kept working years after their planned retirement, hoping that somemone will come long to fill their shoes.

To make matters worse, computer aided drafting jobs are fragmented among all sorts of different CAD systems. AutoCad, TurboCad, IntelliCad, StruCad, Solidworks, Inventor, Pro-E. The list just goes on and on. But industries still need the same structural and mechanical and architectural designers the way they always did. Its just now they have to contend with structural/autocad designers who dont know how to work with Stru-Cad. The whole drafting industry is more fragmented than ever, despite the great technology that exists.

So whats the best way to get a job ? Find whats in demand in your area and get properly trained. For years now building booms have driven the demand for architectural and structural designers. Getting the CAD training is usually as easy as getting AutoCad training at your local college but dont neglect the industry specific courses. For a prospective structural drafter, take the courses offered through the American Institute of Steel Construction and learn the industry specific knowledge, and most importantly how to do structural drafting properly. Sadly, they dont teach drafting in CAD courses, just how to use CAD programs features. The smae is true of Mechanical and Architectural design. You need training in CAd and a seperate course in drafting to make yourself a hot commodity. Knowledge is power.

"Do a job that no-one wants to do - and you have a job for life" This was something I learned early on and it certainly rings true today. Once you have picked the industry you want to work in, specialize. Find a niche that no one wants to do and become an expert in it. If you are an architectural draftsman, perhaps you could specialize in sanitary sewers and stormceptors and drainage. Or concrete foundations. Or if you are a mechanical designer specialize in valves and actuators and industrial process control. A structural designer, specialize in steel buildings. If you do your homework, and talk to the old guys, theres a whole range of specialties that will keep you in demand for your whole working life.

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