CAD Skills for Today’s Job Market
–Nicole Adams on behalf of Westwood College

Attaining a CAD education in today’s world is no longer one size fits all, as employers are hunting not for generalists but more for CAD specialists. In order to seem marketable to employers, consider these CAD skills that will give you an advantage while interviewing for a drafting job.

It can be incredibly useful to gain a supplementary degree in a specific field that you would like to work in. Having CAD training may not be enough to land you that dream job. Obtaining certifications in such disciplines as architecture, mechanics, aviation, design, graphics, and information systems can open doors in your search for the perfect career.

While most CAD drafters will have some knowledge of the popular AutoCAD software, CAD job seekers can stand out by demonstrating their expertise in rendering. Rendering, as incorporated in CAD training, is the process of turning a model into an image with suitable geometry, texture, shading, and lighting. This skill is marketable to industries where visual effects are crucial, like the entertainment business with films and video games or in architecture. CAD drafters can get a leg up in their pursuit for a job when they demonstrate that they are skilled at NX, Autodesk Revit, or Alibre software.

CAD job applicants can similarly stand out if they have shown that they can provide CAD drafting in the most technical areas, like manufacturing or engineering. Suitable candidates would have a firm grasp on advanced engineering and physics concepts. They would also be skilled in understanding the ins and outs of materials or being an expert in kinematics and fluid dynamics. If this sounds too daunting, there’s a reason: these kinds of CAD drafters are in demand but having the chops to become one is immensely difficult.

Employers will usually seek workers that are well-schooled in their discipline. An architectural company will most likely advertise looking for an “architectural draftsman” just as automobile makers will be picky in their choice of a drafter. Therefore, whatever specialized CAD training you earn will only be a plus to employers in those fields.