Having a computer aided design education can create a lot of business opportunities. A business with CAD design training and experience can find work in many industries, from interior design, fashion design and product design to engineering and architecture.

There are many courses of action one can take in computer aided design training, and even options for novice CAD users. Consider the following when choosing the right computer aided design (CAD) education and training for beginners:

1. Think about whether a CAD training certification would benefit your business.

2. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of a self-taught or correspondence computer aided design education.

3. Determine a budget to spend or an amount the business is willing to invest in CAD training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go to a beginner-level CAD class

A beginner-level CAD class from a learning institution is a great place to start if CAD drafting is going to be an essential part of your career or business. The classroom is the best way to learn with hands-on training, visual demonstrations and feedback from instructors. Most classroom programs award certificates upon completion.

I recommend: ITT Technical Institute has locations across the nation, and offers beginner-level CAD training that is the starting point toward an associate or bachelor's degree. Take beginner-level courses that work toward a professional certificate from Lincoln Educational Services.

Learn CAD design with video tutorials

There are many video tutorials on basic CAD drafting, which is a good starting point for those who already have a grasp on hand drafting or are simply curious about CAD. Some tutorials are free and may be worth watching before starting training, but some courses cost a fee and are in-depth.

I recommend: Marrutt Software Training offers in-depth video tutorials for around $125 on the most recent version of AutoCAD, and free video tutorials on older versions. Sketch-Plus.com offers a series of online instructional video tutorials for different versions of AutoCAD.

Take an online CAD course

There are great online courses available for beginner CAD training, ranging from free to high fees depending on the quality of training. If you are already computer savvy and can learn well as a self-starter, online courses are ideal for scheduling flexibility.

I recommend: CAD International offers beginner-level online training courses that lead toward a certification; try a free demo on their website. The CAD Correspondence Institute is a quality in-depth training program that awards a certificate upon completion of the program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business is paying for CAD training, research to find places that are certified and have the credentials of a technical school.

CAD education, as is all education, can be an individualized process today. No longer do students just register at the local technical institute or college and start classes. The choices and options for training and education are many. There are online courses, certifications, mentorships and free CAD tutorials. There are also two-year colleges and tech schools.

The student today needs to look at the equation at a deeper level and ask questions, “Do I need a diploma for my career?” or, “Do I need a quick and rigorous program to get me into the workforce quickly—accredited or not?” You can find good non-accredited training. There are plenty of con artists on the web offering less than sterling classes, however. Buyer beware. Consider the following when looking for computer aided design training:

1. Go to a two-year college or tech school for CAD design training.

2. Find a rigorous online CAD class.

3. Use free tutorials, forums and other CAD resources.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend a college program for CAD education

Go to an established school for a good education, degree or certification that will hold up under scrutiny. Fully accredited schools will give you something no one can take from you. Most two-year colleges and tech schools offer classes in computer-aided drafting.

I recommend: Attend a school like ITT Technical Institute for CAD. ITT is in San Antonio and offers an Associates Degree for CAD. North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is a two-year college that offers classes in CAD.

Take a rigorous computer aided design classes online

There are many fine training programs online. Look for testimonials and professional looking websites. There are as many or more low standard programs and even scams online, as well. Find the great programs by researching, asking questions and scrutinizing.

I recommend: CADD Train has online AutoCAD training courses. You can also get CAD training online with CAD Institute.

Use forums, free tutorials and other resources to further your CAD education

Do research and define your needs by doing a little research and networking on the web. You will find lots of free information and people who will answer questions.

I recommend: Network with other CAD users and students at CADforum. MY CAD SITE offers free online CAD tutorials. Many CAD users will tell you that a real program or class is the best way to learn CAD. Go to A2ZColleges and find a two-year college near you where you can take a CAD class.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Training programs and schools have popped up all over the Internet. It's a great opportunity for convenient computer aided design education. However, watch the fine print. Look at the testimonials. Check Better Business Bureaus. Check prices and make sure the school is not too expensive compared to other schools, and that it offers a good solid program.
• •  Go to forums and talk to other CAD users. Most of these users advise real courses, hands-on with instructors with credentials for your training. Also, look at your industry or field, because CAD is complex and can perform a wide variety of functions for different job settings. College courses will give you the big picture, and later you can home in on your specialty.