Autocad / Solidworks Type Of Jobs

[terenceandphilip]

How do you get into this type of work in Aberdeen? Do you need to be a draughtsman by trade? Or a qualified engineer? Or can you get a start somewhere if you know someone? Or do an evening class, or train on the job?

 

Haha, loads of questions :-)

 

Seems a good thing to get into, but how to get started - or where to start? I'm always hearing that firms can't find enough people to employ, but engineering aside (I don't have time to do another degree) is this the type of work firms are compaining they can't get enough people to do?

 

I've got quite a lot of experience at various things, got good highers from school (maths, physics, chemistry and technical drawing) so i feel I'd pick up something new quite quick given the chance.

 

This has been spinning round my head for a while, but I don't know where to start - so thought I'd start here. Could have given ad-mad a go, but can't imagine anyone being helpful tbh.

 

 

Any help or pointers really appreciated.

 

 

cheers

[dave_min]

This is the kinda job I do.

 

It means I have lots of time to doss around on the internet throughout my day while stuff runs.

 

I had to get an Engineering Degree first though.

 

[terenceandphilip]

I've got one of those 'technical' degrees from RGU from yogs ago that covered a bit of everything (telecomms, electronics, computing) if that would help any, but feel i've got enough qualifications its more a change of direction might do more good.

 

Would agencies be a good place to start? Or oilcareers.com? If agencies, which one? Maybe Bryant Engineering? If firms are really struggling for staff (and it's not just P&J stories) wouldn't they be willing to retrain staff, or allow on the job training etc?

[Bluto10]

I had to get an Engineering Degree first though.

 

 

basket weaving is nae a form of engineering min

[dave_min]

Would agencies be a good place to start? Or oilcareers.com? If agencies, which one? Maybe Bryant Engineering? If firms are really struggling for staff (and it's not just P&J stories) wouldn't they be willing to retrain staff, or allow on the job training etc?

 

Wouldn't do you any harm, but my associate who works for such a firm suggests that you should go to a company direct if you don't already have the skill that they require, as they tend to prefer picking their own candidates to train up rather than be given somebody.

[Clydeside_Sheep]

In my company, I think most CAD guys/gals start as apprentices and work up - most of the qualified ones at any one time are usually contractors working for themselves.

 

I think Robertos advise is good - you could get a good grounding via a college course and use that as a starting point.

 

I agree its a good thing to get into and at times I tend to wish I did it, in prefers to my current job.

[terenceandphilip]

 

Wouldn't do you any harm, but my associate who works for such a firm suggests that you should go to a company direct if you don't already have the skill that they require, as they tend to prefer picking their own candidates to train up rather than be given somebody.

 

did your associate mention which company(s) might be worth going to 'direct' ?

[dave_min]

 

did your associate mention which company(s) might be worth going to 'direct' ?

 

It was more a general point he was making.

 

If company 'A' wanted some sort of SolidWorks Lad in and contracted out to a recruitment agency to find them him and they came back with a Lad who would like to be into SolidWorks, they'd understandably be pissed off.

 

I'd recommend picking up the phonebook and applying to absolutely everybody.

[Pash]

There is a Senior Drafty at my work that doesn't know how to use SolidWorks (our main program) and has the communication skills of a brick, he probably sleep talks more than he actually talks and he is meant to be a senior! Another one of our draftys got a job here about 6 years ago (when he would have been 30ish?) and he used to work in a baker and then a bank and has no HNC. As for me I have average standard grades, no highers, got a job here when 17, no HNC (done bits and bobs at college but not completed it), done a SolidWorks course in 2006 through work and my next step up the ladder is Senior Drafty which should be next year.

 

Basically, yes I think you could get a job, you have highers in engineering subjects, you sound keen and a company will take a punt on you. Using SolidWorks is very easy and so is AutoCAD, there training places in Aberdeen now (TMS for SolidWorks training, I had to go to Falkirk, not sure about AutoCAD, I done an Elecrtical CAD course at Thainstone, there is an AutoCAD and Inventor section in Mechanical Engineering HNC) only thing against you is lack of experience but a lot of places won't care about that if you come across as switched on and keen imo.

[Pash]

Hoi shut up you two.

 

DH had trials for Liverpool the same time as Fowler and scored more goals than him.

 

So I heard...

[Bluto10]

work talk is cool.