Drafting / Design Technology (CAD)

Career Focus

Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certifications, and further education

Who Can Attend

This class is typically available to students in grades 9 -12.

Details

Students are prepared to enter college and the workforce as a skilled CAD technician. Students will graduate with advanced CAD skills by training on the most current CAD software. Students complete 2D and 3D projects with an emphasis on constructing what you design using advanced and specialized computer-aided drafting skills.

This class uses the most popular 3D CAD options, Autodesk’s AutoCad and Inventor, and Solidworks.

Resources

Learn about Autodesk

Learn about Solidworks

Learn Quick Facts about this occupation from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics

Build Your Future! Explore Careers and their Paths

Career Ladder

Michigan and National Employment and Wage Data

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

  • Architects, Except Landscape 
  • Architectural and Engineering Managers
  • Career/Technical Education Teachers
  • Commercial and Industrial Designers
  • Engineers
  • General and Operations Managers
  • Industrial Production Managers
  • Purchasing Managers

Associate’s Degree, Long-Term Training and Apprenticeships

  • Architectural and Civil Drafters
  • Boilermakers
  • Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers
  • Drafters, All Other
  • Mechanical Drafters
  • Civil Engineering Technicians
  • Industrial Engineering Technicians
  • Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
  • Machinists
  • Mechanical Engineering Technicians
  • Millwrights
  • Plumbers, Pipefitters, Steamfitters
  • Power Plant Operators
  • Sheet Metal Workers
  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers
  • Tool and Die Makers
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
  • Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Certificate or Moderate-Term Training

  • Chemical Equipment Operators 
  • Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators
  • Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators
  • Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
  • Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers 
  • Machine Setters
  • Maintenance Workers, Machinery
  • Mechanical Door Repairers
  • Medical Equipment Repairers
  • Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
  • Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
  • Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

High School Diploma or Equivalent and Short-Term Training

  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators 
  • Helpers–Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers 
  • Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters  
  • Helpers–Production Workers
  • Sawing Machine Setters, Operators
  • Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers and Repairers
  • Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers 
  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators

High School Credit

Students should inquire within their guidance office about high school curriculum requirements that may be satisfied through a CTE class, as this is determined individually by school district.

College Credit

College Credit(s) Possible

  • Students can earn up to 4 college credits from NMU
  • Students must earn a grade of 90% or better and be recommended by the instructor
  • Each college reserves the right to set its own credit-granting policy
  • Contact your college(s) to find out the score it requires to grant credit, the number of credit hours granted, and the course(s) that can be bypassed with a satisfactory score

NMU Course Satisfied

  • DD 100 – Technical Drafting/Intro to CADD – NMU Credits Granted 4

National College Credit Recommendation (Test Required)

Industry Certification

Industry-recognized Certification

  • 10-hour OSHA General Industry Safety Certificate*

*Credentials are nationally recognized, portable and stackable, which means students have the option of attaining more advanced credentials in the future.

Locations and Instructors

Gwinn High School

Instructor: Jared Mottes

Negaunee High School

Instructors: Kyle Bell

Munising High School

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