Required Supplies:Calculator
Notebook
Binder
Textbook:Architecture; Kicklighter; 2000.
Mechanical Drafting; French - Helsel; 2003.
Wages and Employment Trends:Median Wages (2004)
$19.15 hourly
$39,830 annually
Employment (2004)
110,000 employees
Projected Growth (2004-2014)
Slower than average (0-9%)
Projected Need (2004-2014)
36,000 additional employees
DRAFTING
James McDowell
jmcdowell@wactc.net
(724) 746-2890 ext. 157
Students will obtain education and skills in the areas of commercial and residential design, as well as mechanical design.
Course Description:
This three-year program prepares tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students for employment in the Drafting fields of mechanical, architectural, structural, electrical, topographical, and sketching. Students learn Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD) using the latest software and high tech equipment. Program completers receive advanced status in Drafting at California University of Pennsylvania.
Course Topics:
| Technical drawing and graphic language | Developments and intersections |
| Instrument and free hand drawing | Drafting math and science |
| Graphic geometry and constructions | Structural design |
| Multi-view drawing | Architecture and landscape architecture |
| Dimensioning | Surveying |
| Sectioning and auxiliary view drawing | Mechanical design |
| Pictorial drawing | Computer aided drafting and design |
Specialized Shop Equipment:
CAD based computers
Blueprint machines
Poster printers
Printers
Z-Corp 3D printer
Certifications:
PA Skills Certificate
Residential Construction Academy (RCA) Nation Registry
Articulation Agreements: California University of Pennsylvania – Industry and Technology
Pittsburgh Technical Institute – Computer Aided Drafting and Design
Westmoreland County Community College – Drafting/Design Technology
Post-Secondary Training Options:Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD / CADD
California University of Pennsylvania – Drafting and Design Technology; Engineering
Technology
Community College of Allegheny County – Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD / CADD
ITT Technical Institute – CAD / CADD Drafting and Design Technology
Pennsylvania College of Technology – Drafting and Design Technology
Pittsburgh Technical Institute – Computer Aided Drafting
Triangle Tech, Inc. – Drafting and Design Technology
Westmoreland County Community College – Architectural Drafting and Design
Potential Careers:
| Mechanical Draftsperson | Architect |
| CAD Operator | Estimator |
| Design Engineer | Drafting Assistant |
| Engineering Assistant | Design Technician |
| Specialty Engineer | Specialty Draftsperson |
| Cartographer | Specification Writer |
| Engineering Technologist | Architectural Draftsperson |
Drafting Skills:Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.