COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING (CAD)

Bring ideas to life building blueprints for tomorrow’s inventions. This course offers you the opportunity to become a part of diverse industries, where you’ll design and shape the future by creating technical drawings and producing real-life blueprints of everything from cell phones to houses, game controllers to vehicles. Don’t get overwhelmed. You can do it!

two CAD students at Central Tech reviewing blueprints

BEFORE ANYTHING IS MADE – IT’S DESIGNED

Did you know, you could not own an Xbox, enjoy an iPhone, or even put on your favorite shoes – without mechanical drafting?

You wouldn’t have a place to live or go to school – without architectural drafting which focuses on residential or commercial design.  

Drafting students learn computer-aided design (CAD) software which allows them to create blueprints and floor plans. Using the CAD software these online drawings can be sent to a 3D printer to produce a model or prototype.

But there’s MATH and TECHNICAL STUFF…

Don’t let the fear of math, technicality, or difficulty overwhelm you. You’ll soon discover that it’s simple, relevant math such as reading a tape measure and basic algebra, geometry, and some trigonometry that you can grasp.

We’re here to support you every step of the way!

USE CAD TO CREATE DRAWINGS, ASSEMBLY, AND MODELS IN EVERY INDUSTRY.

Combine your desire for drafting with another interest. Here are a few ideas to get your started: 

  • Automotive – cars, trucks 
  • Construction – buildings, homes 
  • Healthcare – design prosthetics, machines 
  • IT – programming computers 
  • Sports – golf clubs, guitars, skateboards 
  • Technology – earbuds, cell phones, game controllers, speakers  
  • Welding – utility carts, steel structures, art 

Be part of the Future.
DRAW BLUEPRINTS FOR TOMORROW’S INVENTIONS.

PROBLEM SOLVERS

MANY STUDENT PROJECTS COME FROM REAL-WORLD ISSUES

PROBLEM: A hand sanitizing bottle pumped too much sanitizer at one time. 

SOLUTION: Students created a collar to fit on the pump reducing the quantity dispersed. 

PROBLEM: A part on a student wheelchair broke leaving the student unable to attend school.  

SOLUTION: Drafting students were able to take the broken part, reverse engineer it, print a prototype on the 3D printer, and fix the wheelchair so the student could return to school.   

CAD IS FOR EVERYONE

Drafting students aren’t always young adults beginning their first job.

After years of physical labor, many construction workers, welders, and skilled workers trade in their tool belt for a computer. The days of reading blueprints and building projects are behind them, and the doors to designing projects have just opened. The future is theirs to create.  

If you can imagine it, you can create it.

Check out our architectural and mechanical pathways below. 

“I graduated from this program and have been successful ever since!”
Justin Porter, Williams, Alumni

CAD TECHNICIAN ARCHITECTURAL

PATHWAY

DETAILS

You will be provided with knowledge and skills that will lead to employment and advancement in the field of architectural technology.

You will translate the architect’s design sketches into complete, accurate plans and drawings for construction purposes. You are involved in work requiring knowledge of:

  • Drafting
  • Computer Graphics
  • Construction Materials
  • Technical & Structural Systems
  • Estimating
  • Building Codes
  • Specifications Used in the Preparation of Architectural Projects & Construction of Buildings

AREAS OF STUDY

  • Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
  • Safety & Intro to Technical Drawing
  • Principles of CAD Design
  • Engineering Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
  • Architecture Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
  • CAD Architectural
  • Presentation Graphics Animation
  • Workforce Staging

FOCUS AREAS

  • Learn the fundamentals of mechanical drawings
  • Gain technical skills using drafting tools like CAD
  • Create 3D visual product models
  • Produce models on the 3D printer

Students learn the latest software including:

  • AutoCAD
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Autodesk Revit
  • SOLIDWORKS

CAD TECHNICIAN MECHANICAL

PATHWAY

DETAILS

In this class you will be introduced to the basic concepts of mechanical engineering drawings. You will interpret and apply graphic language, orthographic, dimensions, and sectional views to a mechanical drawing in accordance with professional standards.

In addition, you learn dimensioning terminology and practices including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing. You will be instructed in section views, assembly drawings and trade-specific charts and tables to produce operational plans for the manufacture of mechanical.

AREAS OF STUDY

  • Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
  • Safety & Intro to Technical Drawing
  • Principles of CAD Design
  • Engineering Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
  • Mechanical Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
  • CAD Mechanical Level
  • Presentation Graphics Animation
  • Workforce Staging

#centraltechCAD

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week! 🎊

JoAnn Baugus tells us her real reward of teaching. ✨

#centraltechedu #centraltechCAD
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Be part of the Future. Draw Blueprints for Tomorrow`s Inventions. 🌆

Learn more: centraltech.info/ApplyCAD

#centraltechCAD
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Are you interested in the ability to design the world? If that`s a no-brainer, Computer Aided Drafting has you covered. 🚫🧠 Get started here and apply now! centraltech.info/CAD #centraltechCAD ...

Before anything is made - it’s designed. Students in the Computer-Aided Drafting students design on a computer using CAD. Every industry requires drafters to create technical drawings of products before production, for example, cell phones, houses, game controllers, guitars, skateboards, speakers, tactical gear, and trucks. Students also produce models on the 3D printer.

LEARN MORE > https://bit.ly/3cyPNpO

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The excavation simulator at the Business and Industry Services department has been the result of teamwork. Design Drafting student Tanner H. created the blueprints. Other classes that contributed include Welding and Pipeline.
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Celebrating 50 Years in 50 Words - "I attended Health Careers while in high school where I also met and married my best friend, thanks to Central Tech. I then worked as a dental assistant for five years before returning as an adult student and completing the Drafting Program. I’ve been teaching Design Drafting for 20 years." - Jo Ann Baugus, 1999, Drafting Design Instructor #centraltechCAD #centraltechConstruction ...

“Drafting prepares young adults for the real world.”
Jordan Taylor Travis, Alumni

More information

JOB DEMAND & PAY

Average computer aided drafter salary right here in Creek County is $43,520. Many computer aided drafters have previous experience in jobs such as drafter or design technician. Our graduates enjoy a starting salary around $20/hour. 

OUR GRADUATES

Most graduates joining the workforce start in the manufacturing or piping industries. We have some students that start their career in commercial architecture, engineering, electrical, civil/survey, municipal, structural, energy, construction, or in steel fabrication. Others attend college majoring in engineering, architecture, or drafting.

QUICK FACTS

  • Students: Adult & High School
  • Campus: Drumright Only
  • Times: Morning, Afternoon, Full Day
  • School Year: August-May

FINANCIAL AID

Ask about Financial Aid and Scholarship availability.

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photo of a drafting student looking at a house model