Blueprint Reading Classes & Bootcamps

Explore Blueprint Reading Classes Near You & Online

Since the beginning of the construction of buildings, Architects and Structural Engineers have created drawings on blue paper with white lines, commonly called blueprints. Today's modern designs require blueprint packages, often consisting of numerous design plans, maps, and mechanical drawings. Among the many professionals who should know how to read these blueprints are:

• Building Inspectors
• Construction Workers
• Contractors
• Electricians
• Plumbers

Essential blueprint elements can include legends, specifications, and scales, but there are many others. Read on to learn more about blueprint reading and the numerous other skills and tools that can accompany it.

What Can You Do with Blueprint Reading Training?

Blueprint reading training can include multiple topics, and some programs prepare participants for certification or licensing exams. Other courses include blueprint reading as part of a broader construction or mechanical engineering curriculum.

Blueprints are essential for constructing residential and commercial properties, but today they are also crucial to manufacturing products. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) require skilled professionals to rely on blueprints to understand designs. Everyone from quality inspectors to welders or machinists learn to read blueprints, whether for properties or products.

Correctly reading and interpreting blueprints does not necessarily lead to creating new projects. However, it can assist in evaluating, analyzing, and understanding a project. Blueprint reading courses often focus on these practical aspects crucial to architectural construction documents and manufacturing blueprints. 

What Will I Learn in a Blueprint Reading Class?

What you learn in a blueprint reading class depends on multiple factors, including your profession, goals, budget, and whether the course includes training for a certification or exam. Some courses emphasize additional skills and tools like AutoCAD or Revit from Autodesk, whereas others are blueprint reading training sessions. Consider the following skills you may gain if this is the case. 

Analyzing Drawings

Blueprint drawings, or views, require analysis whether you work as a plumber or a general contractor. Analyzing drawings can include navigating references, decoding symbols, and quantifying materials and resources. Analysis is an essential part of any blueprint reading course.

Contrasting Units of Measure

Blueprint packages typically contain a Key, often called a Legend or Notes section. Learning to compare and contrast units of measure among the many options—architectural, decimal, engineering, fractional, and scientific—helps blueprint readers with their analysis and planning tasks.

Reviewing Specifications

Reviewing specs is another essential part of the blueprint reading skill set. Construction blueprints contain many specifications, from topography to how a project fits into the landscape, whereas manufacturing specifications include details like materials, tolerances, and surface finishes.

Understanding the Title Block

The title block usually appears on every sheet of a blueprint package. This essential component contains everything from a project name and location to the blueprint production or revision date, contact information for the Architect or Designer, and the scale used for drawings.

How Hard is It to Learn Blueprint Reading?

Blueprint reading is undoubtedly a complex skill set, and becoming familiar with blueprints is far from becoming an expert blueprint reader. Blueprint packages can include the title block, legend or key, a grid system, scale, and notations. The level of complexity also depends on what the blueprint is for, i.e., a commercial or residential property or a manufacturing blueprint. Consider the following plan types that commonly comprise blueprints:

• A Sheets—Architectural Plans
• E Sheets—Electrical Plans
• G Sheets—General Sheets
• L Sheets—Landscape Plans
• M Sheets—Mechanical Plans
• P Sheets—Plumbing Plans
• S Sheets—Structural Engineering Plans

Finally, there are two additional types of “S” documents: schedules and specifications sheets. If your course covers these, you will be on your way to learning how to read blueprints properly before trying to learn on the job.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Blueprint Reading?

Like other aspects of learning, the most challenging parts of learning blueprint reading depend on multiple factors. These can include previous experience, skill set, and the type and length of the blueprint reading course. People who come to blueprint reading with AutoCAD or design experience may have an easier time than others, but this is not necessarily so. Many experts believe blueprint reading is not taught often enough in the digital age. Manufacturing or construction professionals may have AutoCAD knowledge but may not know how to read a blueprint. An entry-level worker who knows how to draw in AutoCAD and read a blueprint can have a considerable advantage in today’s job market.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Blueprint Reading?

It takes no more than a few weeks to get comfortable learning to read basic blueprints, but it can take much longer to read different types of blueprints at a professional level. While becoming an expert in reading blueprints can require much on-the-job experience, a solid introductory course can take someone from novice to competent in as little as 20 hours.

Should I Learn Blueprint Reading in Person or Online?

Although few course providers offer in-person blueprint reading programs, you may be able to find one in your area. Most people will also look for online courses because there are many more training options online than in-person. Consider the advantages and potential drawbacks of the following types of training:

• In-Person: Among the most popular methods for learning blueprint reading, in-person courses offer unique advantages. In-person learning provides real-time interaction between students and instructors, ensuring the highest possible student engagement. The only potential disadvantage, commuting and finding a parking space, is well worth the trouble for most participants.
• Virtual/Live Online: Today’s workforce spends more time online than ever. Training via teleconferencing has thereby become more popular than ever. Live online coursework provides engagement comparable to in-person training, and students can learn from the comfort of home or office. If learning online has a disadvantage, it is the need to avoid distractions not found in an in-person classroom.
• On-Demand/Asynchronous: Learning blueprint reading on-demand (or asynchronous learning) is another training alternative. On-demand training typically consists of pre-recorded instructional videos. Some on-demand courses include additional supplementary materials, like workbooks or a student chat group. Although on-demand videos offer lower engagement than in-person or live online programs, they can also offer a lower entry cost and the ability to watch at any hour.

Can I Learn Blueprint Reading Free Online?

Free online videos like the Noble Desktop YouTube channel can be excellent resources for learning technical basics. However, professional skill development doesn’t come for free. A complex skill set like reading blueprint packages demands training from instructors with practical experience and expertise. The small investment it requires will ultimately save time and money in the long run.

What Should I Learn Alongside Blueprint Reading?

What skills you need to learn alongside blueprint reading can depend on multiple factors. These include current skill set, previous experience, and the type of training program. Other factors include whether you need to learn how to read residential property, commercial property, or manufacturing blueprints.

Building inspectors, construction workers, and general contractors can have vastly different skill sets, and reading blueprint packages is one of many diverse skills. Consider the following tools that can be essential to differing roles in the overlapping fields that require blueprint reading proficiency.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD from Autodesk is essential to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. If you learn AutoCAD, you will most likely benefit from learning how to read blueprint packages.

Building Materials

Whether you work in construction, structural engineering, or plumbing, there's a better-than-average chance you will need to know about materials. Building materials can range from steel or brick to lesser-known materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nanomaterials, or composites. The same principle is also true for those in the manufacturing sector.

Revit

Whether you work in architecture, engineering, or construction, if you have the AEC collection from Autodesk, you will most likely use Revit. This popular BIM tool is available as a single tool or in the AEC package. Check the Autodesk website for more detailed information.

Industries That Use Blueprint Reading

Architecture, commercial and residential construction, and structural engineering are all examples of industries that require blueprint reading expertise. However, there are many others. If you want to work in a field that requires your blueprint reading skills, consider the following sectors:

Aerospace & Defense

The aerospace and defense supersector encompasses public and private organizations, from the federal government to multinational corporations like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Military engineering can include mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering expertise. Blueprint reading in this industry is essential for everything from bases to bunkers.

Construction

The broader construction industry includes commercial and residential properties along with larger projects like bridges, railways, and roads. Blueprint reading expertise in this sector is essential for Building Inspectors, Civil Engineers, Contractors, Electricians, and Plumbers, to name a few.

Engineering

Blueprint reading expertise is just as essential to Electrical, Mechanical, and Structural Engineers as to Civil and other construction-related engineering pros. Whether for infrastructure, wiring, or plumbing, blueprints provide detailed information to key stakeholders in the building process.

Manufacturing

The one area that differs somewhat from the areas mentioned above is manufacturing. Product blueprints require design, specifications, standards, and other essential information. Manufacturing blueprint packages are significantly different from commercial or residential construction blueprints, but some elements may be similar.

Blueprint Reading Job Titles and Salaries

Careers that require blueprint reading proficiency vary by local requirements, industry, and whether the position is in manufacturing or construction. Some positions demand a particular certification, whereas others require basic blueprint reading skills. Consider the following job titles and their average salaries in the US.

Construction Project Manager

Construction Project Managers must have blueprint reading expertise, and they earn high salaries in the US: their average annual base pay is about $94,000. Look for comparable titles like Civil Construction Superintendent, Design & Construction Project Manager, or Project Design Engineer when searching job listings.

Contractor

General Contractors can expect to earn around $46,000 in average annual salaries in the US, but much more in higher-income, higher-population cities like Chicago, St. Louis, or New York City. Many work for themselves. Positions for Independent or Property Preservation Contractor can also pay much higher salaries.

Machinist

Manufacturing blueprint packages are a very different animal than commercial or residential property blueprints, yet many of the same principles apply. Machinists are among the most essential workers who should have blueprint reading skills, and their average annual base pay is about $54,000, more in high-paying metro areas.

Structural Engineer

Blueprint reading is crucial to many engineering positions, including Civil Engineers, MEP Engineers, and Structural Engineers. These are some of the best-paying roles in the industry, with a Structural Engineer's salary often exceeding six figures. A US Structural Engineer can anticipate an average annual salary of around $101,000, not including bonuses or other compensation.

Blueprint Reading Classes Near Me

The Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) is one of the only accredited course providers for students who plan to work in the design and construction industry. VDCI offers multiple software training programs to help you gain blueprint reading expertise. Their Blueprint Reading Course—Residential Construction course features online training in construction documents. It includes topics like drawings, specifications, and documentation, to name a few. VDCI also offers a comparable course for larger projects, Blueprint Reading & Construction Estimating Course Bundle.

Noble Desktop is another respected course provider offering classes for those who need blueprint reading proficiency. They provide multiple CAD training programs, including their intensive AutoCAD Certification Program. The immersive 48-hour curriculum also includes six hours of private tutoring and administration of the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam.

Blueprint Reading Corporate Training

Would your team benefit from corporate and onsite training? Noble Desktop offers multiple AutoCAD courses, and they can tailor a curriculum to your organization’s needs. Training options are available in-person at their state-of-the-art Manhattan headquarters or live online via teleconferencing. Courses include Introduction to AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Levels I, II, and III.

If you want your employees to have more flexibility as to when they get training, Noble Desktop also offers discounted vouchers for its open enrollment classes. Employers get a discount when purchasing in bulk. Contact Noble Desktop for more information and a free consultation.