Locations:

Coloma High School
Lakeshore High School
Niles High School
St. Joseph High School

Career Opportunities Include:

· Detailer
· Drafter
· Technician

GRADES: 11-12

Class Description

The Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) program prepares students with the skills necessary to translate engineering/architectural ideas into working drawings. All drafting is accomplished on personal computers as students prepare for the job market by learning to become detailers, drafters, or technicians specializing in mechanical, manufacturing, architectural, or civil engineering.

Students receive training on a number of CAD software applications currently being used by the industry.

*This course may be available for college credit through Lake Michigan College.

Content Areas

· Engineering Principles
· Residential Design
· Commercial Design
· 3D Solid Modeling

Career Outlook

Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build everything from manufactured products, such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery, and spacecraft, to structures, such as houses, office buildings, and oil and gas pipelines.

Demand for particular drafting specialties varies geographically, depending on the needs of local industry.

Earnings for drafters vary by specialty and level of responsibility. Median annual earnings of architectural and civil drafters were $44,490 in 2008.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2007-2008 Edition. http://bls.gov/oco/