91HUB

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Computer-aided drafting and design (also known as CADD) play an integral role in the construction and manufacturing industries. Drafters and CAD Technicians computer software to create technical drawings & solid models that provide specifications for buildings, tools, complex machinery & product assemblies and are typically employed in the engineering, architectural, or manufacturing fields.

If you enjoy finding creative solutions to problems and seeing ideas being developed from concept into reality – then a career in the field of drafting & design technology might be in your future!

Our Drafting & Design Technology program prepares students for entry-level employment as CAD technicians. The curriculum of the program is geared to meet the specific educational needs of businesses and industries within the NACC service area and is certified by the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA), endorsed by the Manufacturing Institute, and approved by the National Center for Construction Education & Research.

The coursework is directed at the development of key performance skillsets in:

• Printreading & Sketching
• Precision Measurement
• 2D drafting using AutoCAD
• 3D solid modeling using Inventor & SolidWorks
• Basic Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) using MasterCAM
• Additive Manufacturing & Rapid Prototyping using Stratasys & Makerbot technologies
• Simulation & Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques using Inventor & SolidWorks

Students in the DDT program have the opportunity to acquire several nationally recognized credentials:

• Six NC3 Precision Measurement certifications
• Autodesk: AutoCAD Certified User & Inventor Certified User certifications
• Certified SolidWorks Associate credential
• NOCTI CAD & NOCTI Mechanical Drafting certifications
• MSSC – Safety, Quality, Production and/or Maintenance certifications
• MSSC – Certified Production Technician credential
• OSHA 10 hour certification
• Alabama Career Readiness Certificate

Additionally, our program partners with numerous businesses in our service area to provide all of our graduates with at least one semester of in-field work experience through co-op, internship and apprenticeship agreements.

Students may enter the program during any semester of the year. Most of our courses are offered with Flex-Lab scheduling. That means classes meet once a week and students are able to choose when and where to complete their lab assignments. Students are welcome to use the software and equipment provided in the DDT lab, or they may download free student-version software applications for home use.