CAD Operative / CAD Technician

What does your construction job involve?

I work for a multi-disciplinary civil engineering consultancy based in Cardiff. I work from home sometimes as my role is very flexible. I assist the engineers and designers in the production of technical drawings. This starts with creating a drawing template and I build this up into a technical drawing eventually used for construction. I do this by translating their hand-drawn sketches and ideas into electronic format.

How did you get started?

I really enjoyed art and design in school and was wondering what to do after my GCSEs. I didn’t want to stay on at school and do A-levels, but I had to do something to enable me to have a successful career. CAD was the best option for me as it involves design and computer technology, which was essential for my future career in construction.

After speaking to careers advisers and my family, I decided a CAD City and Guilds Diploma was the best option. I attended Nash College in Newport for two years on a full-time course.

However, in my first year I was lucky enough to secure a job with a small timber frame manufacturing company. I was 17 and a junior CAD technician, which meant I was able to get lots of good work experience and also attend college just one day a week. This enabled me to complete my course in a shorter amount of time.

Although I was made redundant five times during the recession, I managed to secure a role with Hyder and have been with them ever since.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I like the fact that although I am based in the Highways department I get the chance to work with other disciplines from Utilities, Infrastructure, Planning and Structures. As my role has progressed I’ve been given responsibility as a designer in some aspects of my job, mainly traffic sign and road markings design, which I do using specialist software.

I like the drawing element of my job and being able to interpret the engineer’s hand-drawn sketches into electronic format so that it can be presented to the client. My role is very flexible and I like the freedom of being able to mix home and office work. I also get the opportunity to work with colleagues in our other offices such as Birmingham, Guildford, Bristol and London and even offices as far away as Bangalore and Manilla. I like going out on site occasionally to see the things I’ve drawn being built.

What skills do you need?

I think the fact that I enjoyed art and design subjects in school had a lot to do with getting along well in my chosen career. When I think back to the skills I had at the beginning of my career they’re not much different to the core skills I have now.

Back then I looked forward to learning something new every day and still do today, whether it’s learning how to use a new piece of software to enable me to do my job more efficiently or helping an engineer figure a design issue out. In this role you work very much as part of a team so people skills and communication are important.

Proudest career moment?

This most definitely has to be passing my HND in Civil Engineering from the University of Glamorgan in 2011 after 10 long years in further education. Though that’s not the end of education for me, I want to study for an ENGTech Professional Qualification as another stepping stone in my career.

Where is your career heading next?

I’d like to stay working for Hyder and become a principal technician. I want to develop and work on my designs, especially the traffic signs and road markings as that will help me progress to that role.

Any advice on how to get into construction?

I’d tell anyone to seriously consider a career in the construction industry, especially if you consider yourself one of life’s problem solvers. Although some companies struggled during the recession and we’ve all been affected in some way, there are so many opportunities available that I’d definitely recommend a career in our industry.

I found that studying while working and gaining experience at the same time was a great way to progress and I hope to keep building on my education and experience throughout my career.

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