Interested in a career that requires AutoCAD expertise? Read on to learn about AutoCAD, the industries and positions that use it, where you can take AutoCAD classes in Washington, D.C., and how different training methods can suit your needs and schedule.
Key Insights
- AutoCAD, a CAD program from Autodesk, is the industry standard in many sectors including drafting, architectural design, and machining.
- VDCI, Noble Desktop, Ledet Training, Certstaffix Training, and NYIM Training all offer AutoCAD courses in Washington, D.C. that vary in content, format, and focus.
- AutoCAD training can lead to a variety of career paths and applications such as design and annotation, construction document creation, and site plan generation.
- AutoCAD classes often cover drawing and drafting skills, how to create a deliverable sheet set that aligns with national CAD standards, and sometimes include related Autodesk tools.
- AutoCAD training methods include in-person, live online, on-demand, and self-directed formats, each with its own advantages and potential drawbacks.
- Choosing the right AutoCAD training method requires considering personal learning needs, availability, and budget. Live training, either online or in-person, often provides the most engagement.
What is AutoCAD?
CAD is short for computer-aided design, and AutoCAD is a CAD program from software designer Autodesk. It brought design capabilities to desktop computers around 1982 as one of five products released when Autodesk launched.
Over time, AutoCAD capabilities increased dramatically, and today, the program is the standard in nearly every industry and sector.
If you want to learn AutoCAD for a career, consider the type of industry and skill set you need to prepare. Drafters, Architectural Designers, and Machinists are among the many tech professionals whose careers can require AutoCAD expertise. Read on to learn more about AutoCAD-centered industries and positions.
AutoCAD Classes in Washington, D.C.
VDCI offers multiple training options for AutoCAD beginners. Their Introduction to AutoCAD is a 30-hour program that covers AutoCAD fundamentals and practical skills, culminating in a portfolio project. Topics include dimensioning, layers, and plotting for real-world applications.
Learn AutoCAD
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
You can save by taking the Introduction to AutoCAD as part of the immersive CAD Certificate Program. The eight-month program includes essential bootcamps and shorter training modules like AutoCAD construction documents, CAD detailing, and project management. You will receive a digital certificate of completion and job placement assistance to help land an AEC industry role.
Noble Desktop hosts multiple AutoCAD courses and bootcamps. Their beginner-friendly AutoCAD Masterclass features 48 hours of instruction, including drawing and editing commands, advanced object types and interface techniques, and customizing tools and macros. Participants also receive an additional 1-on-1 training session with an expert instructor.
Ledet Training provides AutoCAD training for Washington, D.C. residents. Their AutoCAD 101—Beginner course covers the software interface and workspace. Students work with 2D drawings, layers, and reusable blocks in an Autodesk-authorized three-day curriculum.
Certstaffix Training hosts live online AutoCAD courses with access to their computer labs for those who want it. Their AutoCAD Essentials class covers fundamentals like drawing, editing, and inserting blocks. Check course listings for more details.
NYIM Training hosts a Beginner AutoCAD course open to students ages 18 and older. The three-day program covers techniques for making text, inserting blocks, and dimensioning drawings, among other topics. Mac users may attend online, but the curriculum is based on the PC interface.
What Can You Do with AutoCAD Training?
AutoCAD is essential for so many applications that novices sometimes wonder what they can do with it. If you do not know how you should use the software, consider the following examples of high-level projects AutoCAD users can do.
Design & Annotate
Introductory AutoCAD training typically shows beginners how to draw drafting symbols and determine how to create drawings for annotation and real-world components. Many AutoCAD classes focus on building information modeling (BIM) applications, as opposed to manufacturing.
Draw Construction Documents
If your course covers AutoCAD for architecture, electrical, or construction (AEC), chances are you will learn quickly how to draw construction documents. These can include fixtures, floor plans, and other tools for the MEP industry (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing).
Create Site Plans
Beyond the limits of simple floor plans, AutoCAD can be the perfect tool for a construction site plan. Intermediate or advanced AutoCAD training might cover elevations, wall sections, and metes and bounds drawings.
What Will I Learn in an AutoCAD Class?
What you learn in an AutoCAD class depends on where and how you train, whether you take a beginner-level class, and how the training applies to your career. Many BIM novices jump into a certification course bundle with AutoCAD as part of a broader curriculum. For example, such a course might cover introductory and intermediate AutoCAD, construction documents, and CAD detailing.
Some programs that feature AutoCAD include related Autodesk tools from their Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) Collection. These can range from Revit to Navisworks Manage or BIM Collaborate Pro, to name a few. A comprehensive AutoCAD-centered course will emphasize drawing and drafting skills and how to implement them into a deliverable sheet set that conforms to national CAD standards.
What Kinds of Training Options Are Available to Learn AutoCAD?
AutoCAD training programs come in all shapes and sizes, from short seminars to in-depth certificate or certification programs. However, the delivery method can be just as essential for novices as the length and breadth of the program. Consider the following training methods to help you decide which is the best for your schedule, needs, and budget.
In-Person
If you live in a metropolitan area like New York City, you can find AutoCAD training in the traditional classroom setting. For example, Noble Desktop offers its AutoCAD bootcamps and CAD certification programs in-person at its state-of-the-art NYC Manhattan headquarters. This training method has the highest possible level of student engagement, and graduates report uniformly positive experiences.
Live Online
An alternative to in-person training is virtual instruction from your home, office, or anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Online learning offers considerable advantages, including convenience, comfort, and avoiding a commute to and from a provider classroom. Learning AutoCAD in a live, online environment is a fun experience that can teach you the ins and outs of this essential software.
On-Demand
On-demand training, also called asynchronous training, usually consists of pre-recorded videos. Some course providers also offer student chat groups and written materials with tuition. Among the best-known on-demand providers are Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy, but there are many others.
Self-Directed
Many AutoCAD course providers host self-directed classes with additional support and guidance from instructors or mentors. For example, the Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) provides numerous self-directed AutoCAD course bundles, certificate programs, and certification training bundles. These can include beginner-friendly materials, instructors available to answer questions, and online support forums for additional support.
Choosing the Right Training Method for You
Deciding how you will learn AutoCAD can be challenging, especially for beginners with no knowledge or experience with the software. You must determine your specific learning needs, availability, and budget before you can select the perfect class that meets these criteria. To help make your decision easier, consider the following advantages or drawbacks of each training method.
Live training, online or in the traditional classroom setting, is the preferred method for many AutoCAD novices. In-person training offers the highest level of student engagement, with live online programs a close second. If in-person training has a disadvantage, it's the added time and expense of a commute.
On-demand and self-directed AutoCAD programs can also provide high-level materials, and some feature lower tuition costs than live training. Although live programs boast higher levels of student engagement, a more affordable price point or the ability to learn on an as-needed basis can make a difference for some students. Learning AutoCAD through an on-demand or self-directed course can appeal to people with family obligations or non-traditional schedules, like a second or third-shift job.
How Hard is It to Learn AutoCAD?
The difficulty of an AutoCAD bootcamp or certificate program depends on several factors. These include the type of training (in-person, online, on-demand), the student’s current knowledge and skill set, and previous experience with Autodesk tools or related programs, if any. Of course, there is a difference between becoming familiar with a skill and gaining expertise. To get the most training in a concise time frame, consider a beginner-friendly certificate or certification program that features AutoCAD training or includes it within a broader building information modeling (BIM) or construction curriculum.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning AutoCAD?
As in other technical training, the most challenging parts of learning Revit AutoCAD depend on factors like the length of the course, the new user’s previous experience and skill set, and how to integrate the software with other Autodesk tools. Many new users report a positive learning experience, especially when combining AutoCAD fundamentals with intermediate to advanced training in other tools like Revit, Navisworks, or 3ds Max.
How Long Does It Take to Learn AutoCAD?
While it takes little time to get comfortable experimenting with AutoCAD, learning AutoCAD at a professional level can take considerably longer. Drafters or Designers might need to master some design or drawing fundamentals before enrolling in an AutoCAD course. By contrast, Architects, Civil Engineers, and other construction professionals may need to master a substantial amount of related knowledge, skills, and regulations. Read on to learn about additional relevant skills you might need to learn alongside AutoCAD.
Can I Learn AutoCAD Free Online?
Some AutoCAD beginners prefer to start their education with free online resources before they commit to a paid program. These self-directed novices may combine introductory YouTube videos with blog posts or articles as they experiment with the software. However, paid formal training through a certification or certificate program is the best avenue to a successful career requiring AutoCAD skills.
What Should I Learn Alongside AutoCAD?
What skills you need to learn alongside AutoCAD can depend on multiple factors. These include your previous experience, skill set, and the type of training program. Other factors include whether you work in architecture, construction, manufacturing, or another industry. Consider the following tools that can be essential to differing roles in the overlapping fields that require AutoCAD proficiency.
Blueprint Reading
One of the most crucial yet underrated skills in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) field is blueprint reading. Many experts today note that they do not think blueprint reading is emphasized enough in modern curricula. Because some manufacturing and construction professionals start careers with AutoCAD skills but no knowledge of blueprint reading, an entry-level worker who knows both can have an advantage in today’s job market.
Estimates
Many AEC pros need to know how to estimate project costs. These include Project Managers, Subcontractors, Construction Estimators, and Builders, to name a few. In management positions, the ability to accurately measure costs and avoid budget overruns can be as essential as AutoCAD, if not more so.
Revit
Like AutoCAD, Revit is another essential tool in the Autodesk AEC collection. The popular BIM tool can be a staple in the tool belts of Architects, Project Managers, and Engineers. It is helpful for modeling, streamlining project management, and collaboration among key stakeholders. Check the Autodesk website for other related software you may need to master.
Industries That Use AutoCAD
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) hosts multiple industries relevant to AutoCAD users. If you want to work in a career requiring AutoCAD expertise, consider some of the following D.C. industries.
Aerospace & Defense
The federal government and related organizations add the most value to Washington D.C.’s gross domestic product (GDP). Designing or expanding federal government or government-funded buildings can require AutoCAD and related BIM skills and tools. In aerospace and defense, AutoCAD can play an essential role in the manufacturing process.
Hospitality & Tourism
Tourism and hospitality are always in bloom here, whether or not the famous cherry blossom trees are. Visitors to D.C.-area tourist attractions travel as far north as Germantown, MD, and west as Manassas, VA. Not every tourism-related job requires AutoCAD proficiency, but many hospitality industry roles do, from building new hotels to expanding existing ones.
Technology
D.C. tech companies often need AutoCAD experts, from Amazon Data Services to CACI International. Consider the tech sector an excellent place to look for CAD-centered careers in the nation’s capital—especially if you have other tech skills that add value to your candidacy.
AutoCAD Job Titles and Salaries
Many AutoCAD roles in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria MSA require significant training and pay well. For example, a CAD Designer here can earn an average annual salary of around $56,000, not including bonuses, 401(k) plans, or other compensation.
Other D.C.-area careers rely on AutoCAD expertise across nearly every industry and sector. An Architectural Designer typically earns about $84,000 here, 17% above the average US salary for comparable positions. Civil Engineers earn even more, with an annual salary of around $105,000, an impressive 14 percent higher than the national average.
AutoCAD Corporate Training
Would your employees benefit from corporate and onsite AutoCAD training? VDCI offers in-person and online instruction and can customize a program to meet your organizational needs and preferences.
If you want your team to have more flexibility in their training schedule, VDCI hosts group classes. They provide extensive offerings with flexible schedules. For more information, contact VDCI.