Computer AidedDesign/Drafting/Design Technology Employment opportunities exist for both women and men. This field prepares graduates for careers as CAD (Computer Aid Design) operators and designers in construction, engineering and manufacturing. Since all manufactured items and construction projects must be designed and drawn before production, the need for trained design/drafting personnel will increase as the economy grows. Almost every type of industry and government agency employs designers.

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What do graduates of the program do?
CAD operators convert ideas, sketches, specifications and instructions of engineers, architects, and designers into plans and details, which are used in making machinery, equipment, structures and products. Much of today’s drafting is now done on computers using computer aided-drafting (CAD) and other software programs.

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What is the job outlook for graduates?
According to the United States Department of Labor, employment of drafters is expected to grow from 10 to 20 per cent each year through 2010. Industrial growth and increasingly complex design problems associated with new products and manufacturing processes will increase the demand for drafting services. Further, drafters are beginning to break out of the traditional drafting role and do work traditionally performed by engineers and architects. Thus the need for drafters continues to increase.

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What is the job outlook for graduates?
According to the United States Department of Labor, employment of drafters is expected to grow from 10 to 20 per cent each year through 2010. Industrial growth and increasingly complex design problems associated with new products and manufacturing processes will increase the demand for drafting services. Further, drafters are beginning to break out of the traditional drafting role and do work traditionally performed by engineers and architects. Thus the need for drafters continues to increase.

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What kind of salary can graduates expect locally and nationally?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for Drafting/Design Technology is $43,180. Local salaries will vary.

 

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How long does it take to complete the program?
Two years for the associates degree or the advanced certificate, or one year for the basic certificate.

 

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How do you get more information about the Design/Drafting Technology program?
Please contact the instructor at the address below.

Steve Baldwin
Instructor, Drafting/Design Technology Program
Phone: (903) 983-8169
Fax: (903) 983-8175
sbaldwin@kilgore.edu
Location: M. Kenneth Whitten Applied Technology Center (AT)
Office 202A

Program qualifies for the Texas Two-Step Project.
Credits will apply towards a bachelor's degree.

3-9-2012