AutoCAD Drafting Skills: Key skills required by computer aided drafting professionals include strong drafting and mechanical skills, knowledge of drafting standards, mathematics, science, and engineering technology. Even though computer aided drafting implies doing the work on a computer, it is also important to be able to draw freehand, or work with conventional drafting tools. A strong knowledge about computers is also required, and mastery of computer drafting programs such as AutoCAD is a must. Interpersonal and communication skills are also important as interacting with engineers and architects is a requirement. AutoCAD Drafting School Courses: Courses in computer drafting schools will include math, science, technology, computers, mechanical engineering, electronics, design, and graphic arts to provide a strong background for your training. AutoCAD drafting courses will also include courses designed to provide you training in AutoCAD and other computer drafting programs. AutoCAD Drafting Employment: The job market for trained computer aided drafting professionals is expected to grow faster than the average, while those whose skills are limited to traditional (non-computer) drafting will have job prospects that grow slower than the average. About 40% of AutoCAD drafting professionals work in engineering and architectural firms that provide services to other industries. About 30% work in manufacturing industries, and the rest work in a variety of industries and the government. A small number of AutoCAD drafting professionals work on a freelance basis. AutoCAD Drafting Work: Computer aided drafting professionals are responsible for creating technical drawings that can be used by designers to see how their concepts might look, by engineers to see what is required to build an item, or by production personnel to understand what all the components of the item are to enable the advance purchase and stocking of the components necessary to build it. These drawings include dimensions, technical details, different views of the object, the components, and more. AutoCAD Drafting work involves the use of manuals, Internet based research, and communications with engineers and designers, to get all the information required to accurately render the object in the drawing.