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Select a testimonial from the list of links below...
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Johan De Bruin
Tim Ryan
Joseph Irudayaraj
Annette Sharp
Chrissy Simmen
Chris Blair
Hayes International
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Johan De Bruin
Distance Learning
“My AutoCAD experience - 2009!”
I studied Architecture at University from 1971 to 1975. In 1973 I bought my very first state of the art calculator
which only had four functins, add, subtract, divide and multiply.
The price tag in those days was about $75.00 which would be about $300.00 today.
During that time I upgraded both my drawing board and drawing machine and got the best drawing equipment,
which I was still using when I started this course, meaning that I have been doing plans on drawing boards from
1965 until 2009. In total 44 years.
In the 1970's during the space race between the USA and Russia when the first computers was designed, IBM, the major computer manufacturer of the day said that only the privileged few would be able to afford a home computer.
I first started doing plans on a drawing board in 1965 and it all became so easy. I use AO size paper to work on and could always see the whole plan, elevations, sections and site plan in front of me.
I realised that I had to upgrade to speed up my work, thus increasing my income. In 2006 after a heart attack and being out of action for a long time and whilst waiting for heart procedures, I bought a AutoCAD program with a training CD to teach myself, but always short on time, I never got around to teach myself using the AutoCAD
training CD.
During that time I did plans for a house we were going to build for ourselves. Two weeks after I came out of hospital, our house was being built. It was at a point where we could move in. We then started building a second house for ourselves. The plans for that house I did during the same time we were building our first house.
I was putting 18 hour days to get the plans done in about 3 months.
At that time I realized I was wasting time doing plans on the drawing board and I decided to do an AutoCAD course. My daughter who was looking to do a Diploma course in Architecture found the AutoCAD training couse
at the NZ Welding School /CAD training in Rotorua on the Internet and told me to look into it.
I phoned and got all the details from Letty. I got everything in place and at the ripe old age of 62 years started the course in June 2009.
During the second Tutorial when we started with AutoCAD on our laptops I realized that I was basically computer
illiterate. I did not have a clue what the Tutors were talking about. I found it extremely hard to get my head around the way to work on the laptop only seeing parts of the drawing you are working on.
I had to change 44 years of drawing board thinking around to think in AutoCAD terms. Viewports was the concept I struggled the most with. I gradually picked up on most of the terms and slowly found my way round.
A few times I lost all of my work and had to start all over again. It was during our very last assignment after I completed all my drawings ahead of my tiime schedule I set for myself; I sat back with a great sense of satisfaction looking at my laptop thinking that I did well. Still looking at my laptop the next moment, without me even touching my laptop, all my work disappeared right in front of my eyes. I tried to find it, but to not avail.
The following morning I phoned my Tutor and I made the descision to drive the four hours up to Rotorua to see if he could find my work. I left at 10:30 am, arrived there at 2:30pm and my Tutor started looking for my work and could not find it. I then went back home and I was contemplating whether or not to finish the course because I was gutted. I arrived home at 8:30pm that evening, discussed the whole situation with my wife and not ever being a quitter, I then made the decision to start all over again with my assignment. At 9:00 that evening I started working and I finished my assignment on time for our presentation. What took me two and half weeks to do the first time, I finished within 4 days the second time around. It was during this time that a number of concepts became clear to me. It was like switching on a light bulb. I then realized that a view port was the same as our sheet of paper on the drawing board. You put the paper on the drawing board, draw your border around and then start drawing.
Half way through the course I thought I would never make it, and I think my Tutor had the same thoughts. Sitting amongst a group of young people, some who have been working on AutoCAD for year or longer, and everybody in the class with a lot more computer skills I could ever wish for, sometimes drove me crazy. I drove everyone else in class mad with all my questions, even one lady moving away from sitting too close to me.
Our very patient Tutor persisted in helping me, I went to do extra tutorials where I had one on one sitting with him, and that was of tremendous help to me. During those sittings I could work at my pace and ask as many questions as I wish.
Since I completed the course, I have packed away my drawing board and all my drawing equipment. I will never touch that again. It already feels like I can donate all of my drawing equipment to the museum.
Looking back I wish I had done this course alot earlier. If I just look at the massive changes its brought about to work turnover, to do a proper set of working drawings on a drawing board took about 3 months of very long hours every day. With AutoCAD I do the same drawings in about 3 weeks.
This course has put the pleasure of doing plans back into my life and I enjoy it so much now. Very often at night time I just start working and I can go on until the very early hours of the morning.
To me the change feels like I have gone though an industrial revolution. How I did it without the AutoCAD program all these years is very hard to comprehend.
I came to the conclusion that, you are never too old to learn. To work with AutoCAD only keeps the grey matter going, and as long as your brain stays sharp life is worth living. I might go on the pension but I do not think that I will stop working soon. I enjoy designing new homes and doing the plans so much now, and if you enjoy something and can still earn a living out of it; What more can you ask for in Life.
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Tim Ryan
“The Way Forward - 2009.”
I enrolled in the Certificate in CAD Draughting Level 3 course, through the Computer Aided Design Training - branch of the New Zealand School.
The course offered entry level design and draughting training which fitted in with our small design and build business's strategy for the future.
I was impressed by the high standards and expectations maintained through out the course. While the course required a great deal of time and application to meet thoses standards and expectations the outcomes have been most satisfying. The balance of theory and practical means application of the course to our business has already reaped rewards.
The opportunity to design outside the square combined with draughting basics and standards made the course an enjoyable one giving one the means to express and communicate that to others.
I found the staff and teaching process always helpful and responsive while on the monthly block course or when back at the office.
I recommend this course to those who are considering a practical introduction to design and draughting.
TRM (TRIM) Ryan
Ryan Design & Build Limited
Joseph Irudayaraj
Distance Learning Level 3, West Auckland 2009
I have gained the knowledge of AutoCAD, 3D modelling and SketchupPro skills. I am also proud that these
skills are achieved through the New Zealand Welding School - CAD Training.
In general the course gave me an opportunity to gain the confidence knowledge and skills to work on
AutoCAD, Inventor 3D modelling and SketchupPro.
At present I have a casual job in CAD Draughting working on AutoCAD and 3D modelling.
Thanks to CAD Training for learning me the skills.
Annette Sharp
Past Student
A Stay-at-home Mother
I was a stay-at-home mother (by choice and with no regrets) to my pre-school child and I wanted to re-enter the workforce.
The CAD course enabled me to re-enter the workforce with the up-skilling, confidence and credibility that I required. I thoroughly enjoyed my time doing the CAD course and it was a thrill to receive my National Certificate in Design – Level 3. This certificate did make the difference in getting job interviews within the design field.
The class environment was extremely stimulating. It encouraged creativity and inspiration via the other students and the tutors. The tutors were very encouraging and made me totally believe in my abilities.
I am currently employed with the Tile Warehouse and I have found that I do draw upon knowledge gained from the course to help me in my employment.
The National Certificate in Design – Level 3 is a good entry level qualification for further studies in Design.
Chrissy Simmen
Past Student
Gaining knowledge and confidence
“I recommend the CAD and Certificate in Draughting course in the highest possible way.”
The course has given me the knowledge, confidence and skills to follow a career path which I am already reaping the rewards; not just with financial gain but in job satisfaction.
The assignments built both my confidence and skills. I owe eternal gratitude to my tutor who gently corrected my mistakes, gave me information and advice I never even thought of asking about and helped me gain my qualification. The added bonus was being given a clear indication of what is expected from a CAD designer, from a future employee and clients point of view.
Behind every good tutor is the administrative team who looked after us all. They dealt to the niggling things in life, like student loans, and gave a huge amount of encouragement from the sidelines to students creating a fantastic learning environment to walk into every day.
It was a great hectic time for me; one I treasure and have good memories and great friendships from, with never a regret.
Joseph Mohi
Current Student
“You are never too old to learn!”
I am currently studying in the Level 3 CAD Draughting course with the Computer Aided Design Branch of the New Zealand Welding School in Rotorua. We have just completed week 8 of the 14 week course.
Even part way through I can say this is a great course. Well presented and totally hands-on. Learning by doing, building upon and expanding on the lessons as we go.
My back ground is in the HVAC industry. Here in Rotorua, later in Hamilton and the last 10 years in Perth.
I grew up in Murupara and my first job was in the planning department of the Forest Service. I was taken as a junior surveyor and trainee draughtsman. I really enjoyed the outdoor work but not so much being in the office for too long. I moved on after 2 years and worked for a company that installed commercial central heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. I enjoyed the physical work, working outdoors and on building sites. Eventually I began running my own jobs and found the need to be able to do accurate on site drawings for duct fabrication, plant room pipe work layouts, as constructed drawings, variations and such. I found I enjoyed doing the drawings as much as building or fabricating from them.
While working for an air conditioning company in Perth I was given work on the side manually modifying drawings. This is when I discovered CAD draughting. I invested in a computer, bought AutoCAD 2000LT and began teaching myself to use it. This is also when I discovered I was “slowing down”, working on the tools wasn't that easy anymore. It was time to do something different and CAD seemed to be it for me.
Because of our children and grandchildren here in New Zealand, my wife and I returned to Rotorua in March. For work, I felt I could use my contacts here in the industry to do drawings, carry on from the beginnings in Perth.
On reflection I realized there was still much I needed to learn about using AutoCAD and a lot that I had learnt was probably not good practice. I felt that to get training and the piece of paper would give me a better chance. So I looked to see what was available and found the Computer Aided Design and enrolled in the Level 3 CAD draughting course.
To be honest I thought I would just be learning which button would make this happen or that happen. But it turned out to be more than that, much more. Even the manual drawing exercises in the early stages I found really interesting. I spent time around sheet metal shops and it always fascinated me how sheet metal workers could turn out and develop some of the ductwork they did. The geometry exercises helped me understand that a lot more. We are also allowed to chance to express our own creativity in the projects we are given to complete.
Work on AutoCAD leads to working with Inventor and Sketch up – amazing programs. Right now we are on a 2 week study break and I am full on trying to understand and to learn all I can about Inventor, it's got my attention “big time”!
One thing that for me, is important to mention, is that as well as the technical learning I have received from this course, the personal learning is probably having as much of an impact.
I have been working since I left school at 15, I'm now 53 and through all that time I have never taken any kind of course, any kind of training, gained any kind of qualification, other than welding tickets or safety certificates. For me learning has always been by doing, watching the experts and doing what they do, then doing things by myself. A loner I guess. So for me to now sign up for a course and allow someone else to teach me is something is huge. It would only happen with something I was passionate about and something I felt was worthwhile. I am and I do!
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Chris Blair
CADPRO Systems Ltd
“The work presented is exceptional in such a short time frame and we are quite impressed with it.”
Just a few comments on the files supplied by you this week. It is very obvious that your students are very enthusiastic about SketchUp and these projects that you sent me prove that. The standard is very good compared to what we have seen in other tertiary institutes and colleges around the world. The quality of the work presented is exceptional in such a short time frame and we are quite impressed with it.
Please keep up your good work.
Chris Blair
CADPRO Systems Ltd
Hayes International
Letter in support of the New Zealand Welding School's application for the renewal of accreditation for the National Certificate - Design Level 3.
In our opinion the CAD Course offered by the New Zealand Welding School is proving successful, with all graduates from 2001 achieving the National Certificate in Design - Level 3.
The school is providing a need, not only for school leavers, but for those seeking re-education in the existing workforce and those affected by health or disability.
We observe the course developing skills required in Engineering and Architecture, using CAD. The use of current technology in drawing is supported and used by the school.
Links with industry are maintained, with students undertaking real design and drawing problems.
We see the New Zealand Welding School Design Course providing a valuable educational option, especially for those seeking re-training in the existing workforce.
Regards
Ross Fowler
Mechanical Engineering Manager
Hayes International
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