What exactly is taught in current drafting classes?

[Coloradomrg]

I'm guessing I need to go to the some of the local schools and actually check out their curriculums, but it sure seems to me that the newest cad tech's aren't very adept at drafting, or using AutoCAD. In the past I have purposely hired 'drafters' with little to no experience because their schooling was decent enough that all I had to teach was the company stuff, AutoCAD commands and uses needed reminders not full on lessons. No past experience has typically translated to less issues learning a new way of doing things.

Some of my observations in the last 3 hires made in the past year, 2 of them were rookies and 1 was somewhat experienced:
Keyboard commands and command modifiers are nearly foreign concepts.
AutoCAD customization is a completely foreign concept.
Xrefs and block knowledge are extremely limited.
Drafting concepts are non-existent. Drawings are nearly impossible to read on the first pass.

When I went to school to become a Drafter, not a cad tech, I learned how to board draft, how to write (simple) lisps and customize my AutoCAD to work for me. I learned about and created block libraries, and learned how and why to use xrefs. These to me were some of the most important lessons I had. Sure seems to me that at least locally, someone is dropping the ball!

[BlackBox]

I agree with you... However, the only way we're going to get better entry level CAD Techs is by improving the quality of the information they're taught, and that will only happen when adept designers, users, etc. take teaching positions within their local schools... Above, and beyond (presuming not in lieu of) their own daily work.

... And I say that being a bit self-critical as well, as the very thought of taking a part-time CAD instructor position dawns on me each-and-every-time I pass the local ITT-Tech campus near my own home.

[Iceberg]

I agree. We just had a guy come in for an entry level position a few weeks back. The kid was going to ITT Tech half way through his bachelors degree right. I knew the kid was going to struggle with the the CAD test but setting stuff like the correct text style, multileader style, layers etc. basically basic CAD fundamentals was an epic failure. I sure as hell don't know what they are teaching these kids but damn it doesn't seem like they are getting basic training to compete in the real world.

[AlexCAD]

I also agree.
On the other hand I have also noticed the general inability to read drawings which is so frustrating when you put the time and effort into creating sections and details and then having to explain what each view is.
This is mostly noticed with Project Engineers and even Managers.

[cadtag]

While I'm in agreement with BB that instructors should be capable and professionally competent in the industry, I'll take issue with the widely prevalent thinking that that expertise is all that's needed. Teaching is a skill set, and requires passion for teaching others -- not just passion for the subject. I've known many competent do-ers over the years, but only rarely has that competence included skill in transferring their knowledge to others, whether co-workers or students. and even more rarely have i encountered skilled drafters/designers with any level of formal training or understanding of pedagogical techniques. Actually, i can count them on the thumbs of one hand.

Getting back to the OP, a worthwhile question you could pose to the local schools would be whether their curriculum is certified by the American Design Drafting Association, and if not, why not? ADDA is, AFAIK, the only organization that makes any effort or takes any interest in the education of professional drafters.

[Wanderer]

While I'm in agreement with BB that instructors should be capable and professionally competent in the industry, I'll take issue with the widely prevalent thinking that that expertise is all that's needed. Teaching is a skill set, and requires passion for teaching others -- not just passion for the subject. I've known many competent do-ers over the years, but only rarely has that competence included skill in transferring their knowledge to others, whether co-workers or students. and even more rarely have i encountered skilled drafters/designers with any level of formal training or understanding of pedagogical techniques. Actually, i can count them on the thumbs of one hand.

Getting back to the OP, a worthwhile question you could pose to the local schools would be whether their curriculum is certified by the American Design Drafting Association, and if not, why not? ADDA is, AFAIK, the only organization that makes any effort or takes any interest in the education of professional drafters.

My thoughts as well.
Back when my husband was looking for work, he applied at a local tech school (which occasionally hosted our LUG meetings). They said they wanted to bring in fresh blood to guide them to being more modern and progressive, as their teachers had all been out of the industry for awhile, and they couldn't send them to AU, because that was generally when final projects and exams were wrapping up. So, of course, rather than hiring a guy very connected in the industry and up to date on a wide knowledge... they hired a guy who knew a bit of cad but was a really experienced teacher at that level... but barely seemed to understand how most software worked.
One of their teachers had started using Inventor in his Mechanical class and all of those students were snapped up immediately... I told them (I was on their advisory board) that they needed to do the same with Revit, but, their teachers were all autocad folks.

I digress... I can't make the advisory board meetings anymore, so I don't know what their curriculums look like these days.

[Coloradomrg]

Teaching is a skill set, and requires passion for teaching others -- not just passion for the subject.

+1

I coach and tutor youth, but have little to no interest in teaching adults in a classroom setting!

[BlackBox]

Teaching is a skill set, and requires passion for teaching others -- not just passion for the subject. I've known many competent do-ers over the years, but only rarely has that competence included skill in transferring their knowledge to others, whether co-workers or students. and even more rarely have i encountered skilled drafters/designers with any level of formal training or understanding of pedagogical techniques. Actually, i can count them on the thumbs of one hand.

True to form, cadtag, this is an excellent point... I can only add that, 1) I wish I had thought to state it first, and 2) teaching others is a great way of solidifying what you [think you] already know, as you (ideally) become accountable for the information you're communicating... I know, I know, the whole 'personal responsibility' thing.

[jeffl.63037]

I agree with cadtag. I learned drafting with pencil and paper from an old school teacher in high school, and more in college. I've been a designer/drafter for coming up on 30 years, and while I have a pretty good knowledge of what I'm expected to have the final plans look like, I know I'm a lousy teacher. I have a nasty habit of glossing over things I do without thinking them. I've written the company CAD practices manual, and am constantly updating it when a new user has trouble following something. It's typically some basic step I take for granted.

[bdixon427416]

I teach Architectural Drafting and Design at a local Career and Technology (votech) and have been doing so for over 14 years now. First, I would like to say if you are curious about what is being taught in your local drafting classes than you should take an active role in your community and visit your local school. If you want to take it one step further you could offer your assistance to the instructor in developing curriculum. I know in my neck of the woods it's like pulling teeth sometimes to get professionals to attend a local advisory committee meeting and provide input.
To answer your question is more difficult though. I know what I want to teach and what I actually get to teach are often two different things. Last week I was teaching an 11th grader what 3/4" + 0 equaled. I have in the past on a number of occasions taught lisp routines, pgp - command customization, xrefs and blocks on the AutoCAD side of class. The bottom line is that it is rare to have kids that can grasp these kind of concepts and more importantly it is even more rare, almost non-existent to find students that think it is "fun". I know, I know it shouldn't be about being fun but if I don't entertain these kids and make the program as much fun as possible kids don't sign up for it and if kids don't sign up for it the program goes bye bye. Education is a business.
So I walk a thin line of what is both entertaining and educational. For the last year we have been primarily using Revit with AutoCAD a very close second. All of my curriculum is project based. We do a platform framed shed in Revit and AutoCAD and build it out of balsa. Next we work with our local building inspectors to create a full set of custom residential code drawings and renderings, both using Revit. Through these 1st year projects they also learn about construction methods and materials extensively, drafting methods, views and linework. The second year students design a commercial building they do a set of architectural sheets, site plan, HVAC ductwork design and layout and plumbing plans, schematics and isometrics. Through the second year they learn about coordinating mechanicals and architectural, ADA compliance and commercial construction methods. The students have the ability to walk out of the program with Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit User certifications and NOCTI certification.
It's a tough job and unfortunately teaching is about 20% of it. I do strongly encourage anyone that has the time to get involved in any way with your local tech school.