This program prepares students for careers as professional CAD operators and technicians. Employment opportunities for those completing the program include positions in industry working with CAD systems, blueprints and design plans, and close work with production personnel.

Nature of Work
Graduates in Manufacturing Engineering Technology-CAD option prepare technical drawings and plans used by workers to build industrial machinery and manufactured parts. These graduates will use computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems to prepare and modify drawings. These systems make it easy to prepare many variations of a design and allow it to be viewed from angles not usually available with traditional drafting methods.

Jobs
CAD operator, CAD technician, and assistant design engineers.

Employers
Machine shops, Computer Numerical Control shops, electronics firms, governmental agencies, machinery and fabricated metals industries.

Outlook
A growth in industry will keep the outlook favorable for those with at least 2 years of training and with experience using CAD. Employment is generally contingent upon the needs of the local industry. Overall, employment of drafters is expected to stay consistent through 2006.

Earnings
In East Central Illinois, wages range between $21,840-$29,180/yr.

Tech Prep
Manufacturing Engineering Technology-CAD Option is currently designed for Tech Prep. Students in High School should contact their High School Counselor.

Earnings vary greatly according to location, experience, and individual.