CAD Technology Program

Today’s technology is moving faster than ever. In the world of design, a good idea becomes an obsolete one in just days. To take an idea and make it reality, today’s design requires drafting personnel skilled in the use of Computer Aided Drafting. Manufacturing, construction, engineering, and marketing all depend on the work of CAD personnel to communicate ideas with speed and accuracy.

CAD personnel take the ideas of designers, engineers, or architects and create plans specifying how the finished products are to be fabricated. They are also called upon to provide graphics of how the finished product might look, even before manufacture. CAD personnel are also sometimes called upon to assist engineering and design staff by researching technical data, revising existing designs, performing analysis using computers, supplying manufacturing/construction personnel with technical specifications, and providing marketing and customers with “virtual” pictures of the finished product.

Iowa Central’s CAD Technology program is an 11 month course of study. Students will be instructed in the skills and knowledge needed to begin a career in Computer Aided Drafting.

As a student in the CAD technology program, you will learn to use computers to draw blueprints, create virtual models, write programming for CAD, and create animation of objects. You will also become familiar with media and technology typically used in drafting and design, including technical manuals, spreadsheets, presentation software, and Internet use. You will also gain skills in communication and technical math.

The CAD Technology program provides students with technical training needed to enter the various fields of computer aided drafting and design. The focus of the program is to give students experience in developing media to industry standards using computers. Included are drafting fundamentals & techniques, software applications, math and communication skills, and object representation using 2-d and 3-d principles.

The program is 38 weeks in length. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be awarded a Diploma in CAD Technology.

Personal Aptitudes Needed in a CAD Career

• Ability to understand and interpret many kinds of technical data and graphics.
• Ability to solve technical math and geometry problems.
• Ability to visualize in three-dimensions.
• Ability to communicate information with a variety of professional personnel.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail in both graphical and written work.
• Ability to organize information into a concise, understandable format.