There are a number of approaches that practices might choose to adopt to identify individual user ability and experience using CAD. These include in-house CAD testing or assessment, using external trainers or online assessment packages, and checking out formal qualifications such as C&G (City & Guilds) 2D and 3D CAD, CAD vendor certification exams post-training, or the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) 2D CAD course. However, in order to benchmark these skills, it might be useful to adopt a CAD skills assessment software package, such as that offered by CADsmart. The assessment data feeds into specific, targeted training programmes and workshops for AutoCAD and Microstation.
When planning CAD training and development programs, it is important to consider each user and the typical circumstances in which they use CAD during the course of their work. Some may be full-time users, while others may only use the tool occasionally.
Other factors to take into account include the type of project, the individual's role and responsibilities and the organisation's policy and standard practices on how CAD is used in live projects. Civil engineers, structural engineers, architects, technologists, building services engineers, technicians, surveyors, landscape designers, house builders, contractors - each use CAD in a distinctly different way.
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