Candidates who decide to take courses related to CAD technologies have different reasons for enrolling. Some view it as valuable technical training that helps them prepare for important positions in architectural, MEP engineering, and construction domains. Candidates falling under this category normally register for these courses whilst they are pursuing full-time degrees in allied domains, such as architectural design, building construction, mechanical engineering, industrial plant-room design and engineering and interior design, to name a few. Others use such courses to build a strong foundation before they go about completing their degree in architecture, MEP, and construction fields.
Nevertheless, with trends such as building information modeling (BIM) maturing rapidly within the AEC industry, forward-looking professional firms ranging from multinational architectural and construction planning practices to relatively smaller CAD outsourcing businesses are on the lookout for savvy employees in the computer-aided design realm. This is where reputed and well-organised CAD training centres play an important role. Though often overlooked, CAD institutes have a much larger responsibility than simply coaching candidates drafting, modeling, and BIM applications. Whilst technical expertise on software applications is important, these centres should ideally serve as a crucial link and fulfill the increasing demand of skilled professionals which can effectively match changing industry requirements.
Apart from appropriate training facilities, certain key characteristics that a candidate considering taking CAD courses should look for in a training institute are as follows:-
Faculty with Hands-on Knowledge
It is imperative for the faculty to have considerable design, drafting, and BIM modeling experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction domains. Furthermore, the professional instructors should have training accreditation from developers of CAD and BIM applications. For instance, Autodesk-certified trainers can give more valuable industry-oriented coaching than non-certified instructors for applications, such as AutoCAD, Revit, and 3D Studio Max.
Professional Training Certification
The CAD courses which are certified by application developers, such as Autodesk, are objectively assessed and validated for the skills, knowledge, and relevance they provide to the students. Such industry-accepted credentials hold more weight than non-certified courses and CAD training centres.
Tie-Ups with Professional Practices
Candidates benefit largely from CAD training centres which have partnerships with professional AEC practices. Accordingly, students get an opportunity to get exposure to professional internships, workshops, and working hands-on on live projects. This goes a long way to prepare students to meet changing industry requirements. Moreover, these partnerships allow faculties and curriculum designers to constantly stay abreast with the immediate demands of the industry thereby modify courses to suit current demand.
Appropriate Mix of Courses and Training Modes
Well-structured CAD institutes usually have a healthy mix of long-term career as well as short-term courses customised to the requirements of the industries and importantly, students and working professionals. This provides candidates a higher flexibility to make themselves proficient with CAD skills. In addition to this, credible institutes provide students, professionals, and corporates an option to select one of the many teaching modes, including instructor-led training, online lessons, and on-site custom training.
Prabhat Singh is the Head of Recruitment and Training at XS CAD's Autodesk Training Centre, one of the leading providers of classroom-based and online CAD training courses to students and professionals. Based in Mumbai, India, this CAD training centre provides tutoring applications, such as Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and 3DS Max.
