Learn More About AutoCAD Classes & Certifications in Austin
AutoCAD is a design software program from Autodesk that is used in a wide variety of industries for models, schematics, and blueprints. CAD refers to computer-aided design, and the AutoCAD software is an industry-standard design tool for a wide range of professionals, from engineers to Drafters and Interior Designers.
The popularity of AutoCAD is due in part to its efficiency, but it’s also popular because it can be used in a collaborative manner with everyone involved in a given project, from builders to plumbers. Architects, manufacturers, and Project Managers are all examples of professionals who typically find AutoCAD to be a primary tool in their daily activities.
As the need for more technically proficient workers continues, the demand for AutoCAD positions is expected to outpace overall high-tech demand. Whether your career trajectory is one of a Designer, Drafter, or Technician, in-depth AutoCAD skills can qualify you for the highest-paying positions.
AutoCAD Careers in Austin
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Austin is one of the top five regions among 50 metro areas for job growth. Careers for designers skilled in AutoCAD in particular are projected to grow exponentially over the next few years. Recent job postings in the Austin area include positions such as Civil AutoCAD Designer, Residential AutoCAD Drafter, and OSP AutoCAD Drafter/Designer.
Salaries in this category may vary widely, as so many industries require CAD skills, but there are several excellent opportunities for AutoCAD careers in Austin. A Drafter can expect to earn about $57,000 annually in the Austin area, and a CAD Designer here is typically paid around $59,000 per year. A Designer with AutoCAD training in Austin commands an annual salary as high as $74,000—a full 9% higher than the national average for comparable positions. While you’ll most likely need training beyond AutoCAD to be qualified for the most lucrative openings, this popular software can serve as the bedrock for a successful design career.
In-Person AutoCAD Classes in Austin
New Horizons is the only school currently hosting in-person AutoCAD classes for Austin area residents. Course offerings include beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of AutoCAD. Certstaffix Training and ONLC Training Centers also provide AutoCAD coursework to Austin area students. These are available online via remote instructor, and students also have optional use of the schools’ computer labs.
Virtual AutoCAD Classes
While some students prefer to learn in a traditional classroom setting, many more will avail themselves of live online coursework. Virtual courses offer several benefits. You can take them from the comfort of your home or office, and expert instructors provide you with hands-on experience in an interactive environment. You can ask questions, get answers in real-time, and the instructor can see and even control the screen—with your permission, of course.
Noble Desktop, the originator of this tool, offers multiple live online AutoCAD courses you can take from Austin, or anywhere. Their AutoCAD Level 1 class is available through Noble’s affiliate school, NYIM Training. This course provides training appropriate to beginners such as drawing, editing, and printing. Additional Noble Desktop classes available online include AutoCAD Levels 2 and 3, Intro to AutoCAD, and 3D Modeling in AutoCAD. Check course listings for prerequisites before applying.
For additional training, NYC Career Centers also offers AutoCAD courses online, like AutoCAD in a Day and an AutoCAD Bootcamp. Advanced AutoCAD and AutoCAD 3D Modeling training is also available via private training. Alternatively, NYIM Training provides virtual live AutoCAD classes as well, including their AutoCAD Bootcamp which covers both beginner and intermediate-level training in a 35-hour immersive experience.
Self-guided AutoCAD Programs
Students who are looking to make a career out of using AutoCAD might also be interested in their options for career-focused, self-guided classes. These courses allow students to learn at their own pace (with guidance and assistance from a professional mentor) and they provide students with career-focused training and job placement support. While many students find it desirable to learn from a live instructor, these self-paced classes are the perfect fit for self-motivated students looking to make a career out of their AutoCAD training.
AutoCAD Certificate Program
The Visual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers an immersive AutoCAD certificate program that aims to help students become career-ready within only a few weeks of training. This program provides students with hands-on, job-focused training in the use of AutoCAD and the course is designed with new students in mind, meaning that you’ll move from your first construction draft to a capstone project to add to your professional portfolio over the course of the certificate program. This program also offers students the opportunity to take up to 80 hours of electives to help them specialize in subjects including Revit, SketchUp, and Civil 3D Pro. With this option for specialization and the focus on career development training, this certificate program is an ideal entry point for aspiring designers, architects, and engineers looking to learn how to use AutoCAD in a professional capacity.
AutoCAD Fundamentals
Students looking for an accelerated introduction to AutoCAD and computer-aided design generally may be interested in taking this introductory course offered by VDCI. Students will learn the basics of using AutoCAD and practical skills that they can bring back to their current jobs or use as the baseline for future CAD training (including some of the other advanced classes offered through VDCI). In this class, students will get live, hands-on instruction in the use of AutoCAD, including exercises in which they create drafting symbols, kitchens and bath fixtures, a floor plan, and deliverable file sheets. While you’ll need more training if you want to make a career out of your AutoCAD skills, this course is an excellent introduction to the kinds of projects that AutoCAD professionals will need to utilize.
AutoCAD Professional
If you have already taken the AutoCAD Fundamentals program or you have experience with AutoCAD from another source, you may be interested in moving toward professional-level training in this advanced AutoCAD program. In this program, students will learn how to create 2D designs for construction documents that meet all of the necessary and legal standards that they are expected to follow. This course offers practical skills training and is designed to ensure that experienced AutoCAD users are able to get the accelerated training that they need to start using the application in more complex professional capacities. This course is built to help students learn at their own pace and class scheduling is incredibly flexible for professionals looking to develop new skills while still working.
Corporate & Onsite AutoCAD Classes
Even in companies requiring AutoCAD training, employees’ skills can range from beginner to intermediate. If you think your team would benefit from onsite or remote corporate AutoCAD training, Noble Desktop offers training that can be customized to your team’s needs.
Expert instructors are available to provide high-level training either at your office or remotely via teleconferencing. You can also purchase vouchers to Noble’s open enrollment group classes. Employers receive discounts with these vouchers when purchasing in bulk. For more information on corporate and onsite training, or to schedule a consultation, contact Noble Desktop via email.