Mechanical Design CAD 
Certificate
Curriculum code 2102
Course Requirements                    CAD Program Web site

This certificate is open only to students who have completed 30 hours in the Mechanical Design and Drafting Program or have at least two years of industrial drafting or engineering experience or consent of the instructor.

The courses taken in this program can be applied to the associate’s degree program without loss of credit.

A certificate requires fewer credit hours to complete than an associate’s degree. It is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with an academic advisor to review your options.

Nature of Work—The types of businesses that employ CAD drafters and designers are diverse and wide-ranging. They include architectural and mechanical design firms, engineering firms (civil, mechanical, etc.), graphic arts firms, construction companies, product design companies and manufacturing companies.

Related Job Titles—Drafter, architectural/civil, electronic/electrical drafters, computer aided design (CAD) operators/technicians

Related Programs—Mechanical Design and Drafting/CAD A.A.S. (66-69 credit hours), Mechanical Design Drafting Certificate (32 credit hours), 3-D CAD Certificate (20 credit hours), Architectural CAD Certificate (17 credit hours), CAD Programming Management Certificate (18 credit hours), and Computer Animation Certificate (20 credit hours)

Employment Outlook—Employment of drafters is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. Industrial growth and increasingly complex design problems associated with new products and manufacturing processes will increase the demand for drafting services. The greater use of CAD equipment by drafters, architects and engineers, should limit demand for lesser-skilled drafters. Opportunities should be best for individuals who have at least two years of postsecondary training in a drafting program that provides strong technical skills, and who have considerable skill and experience using CAD systems. Employers will look for drafters with a strong background in fundamental drafting principles, a higher level of technical sophistication, and an ability to apply this knowledge to a broader range of responsibilities. Earnings for drafters vary by specialty and level of responsibility. Median annual earnings of mechanical drafters were $43,000 in 2004. According to MVCC’s Job Listing Report ending 6/30/05, the average salary earned for full-time CAD drafters was $13.97 an hour or approximately $29,120 a year. Part-time CAD drafters earned between $9.50 and $25 an hour depending on experience. For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Resource Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, T904, at (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jrc.