CAD Apprenticeships

What is a CAD technician?

CAD plays an important part in the modern construction industry. As a CAD technician or operative, you could be turning a client’s idea or an architect’s sketch into an interactive 3D model of what a building will look like. Your work will be valued by architects, engineers and clients, and you will be an important member of any construction project team.  

You could take a university degree or a college course, but apprenticeships are a great way into a CAD career.  

How do CAD apprenticeships work?

As part of a CAD apprenticeship, apprentices work with architects, engineers and other construction workers to produce CAD plans and drawings. You will develop skills and proficiency in the various CAD software packages, and learn how to take technical information and convert it into 3D and 2D drawings and plans that will be used by other construction professionals.  

An apprentice CAD technician learns how to use computer-aided design software to create 3D virtual models and 2D plans of buildings and architectural features. Computer-aided design apprentices learn skills in CAD and become responsible for producing technical drawings, elevations, building layouts, maps, diagrams and other types of plans for construction projects.  

How long are CAD apprenticeships?

CAD apprenticeships take up to 3 years to complete.

How much will I earn as a CAD apprentice?

Salary levels will vary from company to company, but apprentice CAD technicians can expect to earn at least £17,000 in their first year, which can rise to around £20,000 or more by the end of the apprenticeship. 

What types of CAD apprenticeships are available?

CAD technicians are also known as CAD operatives, CAD engineers, BIM technicians, digital design technicians and civil CAD operators. While there are slight variations in each job title, a CAD apprenticeship will provide you with the essential skills for each of these roles. Find out more with our job profile.

Apprenticeships are usually offered in CAD technician roles. There may be some civil engineering apprenticeships that include working with CAD software, but these will not provide the comprehensive training of a CAD technician apprenticeship. 

Even though CAD apprentice technicians will spend most of their time working in an office, there will be visits to construction sites, so CAD apprentices will still need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.  

What will you learn during a CAD apprenticeship?

CAD has replaced pencil and paper for architects, who no longer need to spend hours at their drawing boards making meticulous changes by hand as a project progresses. CAD has become a more intuitive, adaptable and efficient way to plan, model and simulate building design. CAD is also more client-friendly, as it simplifies the process of producing architectural models and makes design changes easier to visualise.  

CAD apprentices will learn how to:

• Produce plans, elevations, technical details and building layouts
• Draw maps, diagrams or plans for construction projects and structures
• Plan and draw details of bridges, highways and waste water management systems
• Define problems and find solutions
• Work with architects, engineers, building services and other construction workers in producing plans and drawings
• Use different software packages to convey instructions about materials, technical specifications, assembly procedures, measurements and site requirements

Qualifications required to become a CAD technician

Skills required to become a CAD technician

CAD apprentices should have excellent attention to detail, as well as a good level of ability in maths. It is useful to be able to work well with others and to use your own initiative. Computer skills and communication skills are essential.  

It goes without saying that apprentice CAD technicians or operatives should be skilful and passionate about art and design. While your design skills will increase throughout your apprenticeship, you should have a good basic level of proficiency in CAD software programs such as Autodesk.  

Future prospects and career progression

There are great career prospects for qualified CAD technicians. You could find yourself working in construction, civil engineering, manufacturing or on major infrastructure projects. If you have a real interest in CAD design for a particular sector, try to find an apprenticeship that will allow you to work on computer-aided design projects in this field. 

Trained CAD operatives with experience can earn in the region of £20,000 - £35,000. Senior, chartered or master CAD operatives have the potential to earn £35,000 - £50,000.

How to apply for a CAD apprenticeship

If you are interested in applying for a CAD apprenticeship one of the best things to do is research the construction industry and look at the ways it uses CAD. What opportunities are there for CAD operatives? Read case studies of what it is like to work as a CAD technician, and look at some of the areas in which you might be working. You could be designing signs, packaging or machinery, not just buildings.

Do some searches on job websites, apply directly to employers and use the government’s apprenticeship service. If you've had some previous work experience at a company, ask if they are taking on any new apprentices. You will have to apply for any apprenticeship role, so will need to produce a CV, write a covering letter and attend an interview. 

Where to find CAD apprenticeships

Choose one of the below job posting sites to find CAD apprenticeships in England, Scotland and Wales.