OVERVIEW OF THE CAD SKILLS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

A CAD skills certificate consists of five courses from the current AAS Drafting/Design Engineering Technology program, and may serve as a stand-alone program.  This CAD certificate can be used for entry-level employment or to further develop skills and knowledge related to a student’s current major.

1)   DRFT 2200  Fundamentals of CAD—3 credits

2)  DRFT  2235 Technical Drafting—3 credits

3)  DRFT 2205  Introduction to Solid Modeling—3 credits

4)  DRFT 2215  Architectural Drafting—4 credits

5)  DRFT 2245  Architectural Design—3 credits

Some students will find that the knowledge and skills learned through the certificate requirements meet their educational and/or career needs.  Other students can use the CAD certificate to explore potential choices for a major, or as the basis for a step-up program, completing additional courses for an associate degree or baccalaureate degree.  This CAD certificate could be used to supplement degrees in Architecture, Aviation, Civil, Electronics, Mechanical, Graphics, Applied Design and Information Systems.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAD SKILLS CERTIFICATE GRADUATES

Graduates with the CAD skills certificate are qualified for entry-level technical positions in engineering, architectural, or manufacturing-related firms. This certificate allows students to enter the job market as drafters, tracers, designers, and CAD operators. The demand for these positions will increase between 15-23% over the next 10 years.  The CAD Skills Certificate from the Drafting/Design Engineering Technology program at Fairmont State Community and Technical College will prepare students to the meet this market demand.