There are few career paths that can hold a candle to the volume of exciting prospects that lie in Computer-Aided Design (CAD). An increasing number of jobs rely on technology to perform many of their associated tasks, so businesses seek graduates with a comprehensive understanding of these tools.
When you consider the trajectory of how CAD tools have been implemented in the workplace over the past decade, it’s only natural to want to enter or learn more about this space as a means of safeguarding your career into the future.
While playing around with the various tools is an effective means of familiarizing yourself with the design process, it’s AutoCAD certifications that employers are going to be after, as it provides a stamp of assurance that candidates possess the required knowledge to make an impact in the workplace.
One AutoCAD certification that you’ll see being featured as a requirement across job search websites is the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) qualification. In this article, we’ll take a look at how you can enhance your skills by adding them to your arsenal and the career prospects that will arise as a result.
What is ACP AutoCAD Certification?
You can look at the ACP AutoCAD certification like attaining a degree from a university. By studying a course at university, you will engage in classes that are being taught by experienced lecturers in their respective fields over a span of 3 or 4 years.
Now, throughout your time studying at the university, you will pick up a host of key skills and learn what is required to work in your subject area. But, more than that, having a piece of paper saying that you graduated from an accredited institution also holds a lot of weight and shows employers that you have a high degree of knowledge about the degree that you completed.
The same is true for the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) qualification; this course will teach the ins and outs of Autodesk and leave you with a cert that demonstrates your competency with the tool.
The ACP AutoCAD Certification by Autodesk is extremely sought-after as a means of expressing proficiency with the software, particularly across important subject areas such as precise drawing techniques, advanced editing features, annotation skills, and drawing organization.
Students opt to pursue the certification as a means of furthering their skills and education with Autodesk, as it is required before enrolling in more advanced courses such as the ACI certification.
The ACP is aimed at professionals who have significant experience with AutoCAD, typically requiring around 400 to 1200 hours of hands-on practice.
By putting in the hard work and getting your hands on the certificate, you’ll be highlighting that you possess a range of valuable skills that will add to your productive capacity in the workplace.
It’s also an effective means of standing out against other applicants who will be applying for the same positions in the future.
The job market is extremely competitive so it’s always important to acquire skills that will help elevate your resume above others gunning for the same position.
One of the key benefits of obtaining this certification is the potential for career growth and increased earning potential. According to industry data, certified professionals can earn salary premiums of up to 18% on average.
Achieving your ACP AutoCAD Certification is perhaps the most effective means of showing employers that you are the right person for the job and capable of tackling more demanding positions within the realm of Computer-Aided Design.
Explore the options that you have available here in the US so you can find a suitable AutoCAD certification to further your career.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
So, if all of this sounds good to you, before you get stuck into taking steps towards earning this impressive qualification for yourself, you’ll first need to check whether or not you’re eligible and what you may need to check off the list before you can enroll.
For starters, the course is a long way from being a walk in the park, so naturally, you’ll need to have extensive knowledge of Autodesk in advance of signing up (approximately two years of experience).
In order to keep up with the pace of the course and have an easier time passing the subsequent exam, you’ll need to have a working knowledge of AutoCAD software, with a strong grasp of technical drawing and design principles.
These are crucial components of the course that prepare professionals for tasks that are crucial across so many industry sectors. For example, those who find themselves in CAD-oriented roles often employ design tools to craft and adjust objects with precision within drawings.
Given that the course is heavily oriented around developing these skills in the platform, there is an inherent requirement to be up to speed or at least familiar with such practices in advance of starting the course.
Other tools that you’ll want some hands-on experience with in advance of kicking your learning off are annotation tools, printing and exploring diverse output alternatives.
While working with a diverse group of team members and responding to common theoretical and practical queries are essential in the contemporary working world, the course assesses students individually without having a helping hand from coworkers, support resources or any product guides. So, there is definitely a need for independent learning in order to arrive at this level of expertise.
If you go ahead and start taking steps towards your future career path through the ACP AutoCAD Certification, then there is evidently a need to ensure that you have the prerequisite knowledge and have racked up the required experience in advance of hopping on the course.
Jobs that Require ACP Certification
By obtaining this certification, you're not just proving your expertise in AutoCAD; you’re also going a step further and showing your capacity to handle intricate tasks in workflow and design effectively.
Given that one of the primary incentives that push professionals to attain the ACP certification is the employment prospects that are presented to those who have been awarded the badge of completion. Let's take a look at some of these jobs.
Architectural Drafter
Equipped with your newfound design skills, you will be able to become an architectural drafter.
This is a role that commonly uses AutoCAD to create detailed drawings and plans for buildings and structures.
It will allow you to apply much of what you have learned from the course while presenting the opportunity to work closely with architects and engineers to translate designs into technical drawings.
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Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers are often required to have the ACP qualification since they often use AutoCAD to design mechanical systems and components.
If you were to pursue this role, you can expect to be involved in the creation of blueprints for machinery, equipment, and other mechanical products.
Civil Engineer
The next career path that would open up to you is Civil engineering. This is another role in which AutoCAD is heavily used in the design and planning of infrastructure projects.
You can rest assured that your skills will be put to the test, as you’ll be creating detailed drawings and models to help visualize complex projects and ensure that they meet various regulatory standards.
Elevate your professional profile with the Autodesk Civil 3D Specialist (ACS) certification, paving the way for diverse roles in engineering and construction.
Certification Process
🖥️ 1200 Hours of Experience
📚 Pass Your Exam
🪪 Receive Badge From Credly
If you feel like the ACP qualification provides a suitable next step that would help you enhance your professional career in line with where you envision yourself in the not-so-distant future, then you’re probably more than keen to learn the process that lies ahead.
While the elementary part of the process is quite simple, it comes with a substantial workload. Before you even begin thinking about how you can get your hands on the certification, you’ll need to first put the hours in and acquire the knowledge needed to achieve a passing grade on the exam.
The exam itself is a 120-minute test consisting of 45-60 questions, which can include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and graphic interpretation questions.
Once you’re confident in your knowledge of the associated material and like your chances of passing the exam, you can begin the process of getting that certification added to your resume.
The next step that you’ll need to take is to use your account with Autodesk to book your exam slot and navigate through the payment process. This will also be your portal for adjusting your schedule, checking in on your scores and getting in touch with supervisors.
The certification process is designed to validate your advanced skills in AutoCAD, typically requiring about 1200 hours of real-world software experience in an architectural environment.
In terms of grading and outcomes of the exam, you either pass or fail the test based on a threshold score that differs for each certification exam by Autodesk; however, they do not reveal these scores in advance before you sit for the exam itself.
If you are successful in your attempt and end up passing the exam, you will be awarded a badge from Credly, which serves as evidence of your accomplishment.
Bear in mind that your cert will likely last for either 2 or 3 years, and you’ll need to renew it before it expires by taking the certification exam.
Transform your passion for teaching into a thriving career through the ACI Certification for Autodesk Certified Instructors.
Getting Your Hands on the ACP Certification
With a better understanding of the ACP certification, you should find yourself ready to make a more informed decision as to whether or not it is the right next step in the direction you wish to take your career.
By coming out the other end of the course, you’ll possess practical experience and a strong background in technical drawing and design to excel.
The learnings that surface over the course of the training program are extremely practical and will make you a more effective designer across a range of industries.
You can also conclude that, at the very least, it will go a long way in helping you to stand out for any positions you apply for and hopefully help you land interviews and maybe even secure employment practicing your newfound skill.
Given that the certification process includes an assessment that evaluates different facets of AutoCAD proficiency, you’ll be able to showcase your proficiency with design tools and set yourself up for a successful career.
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