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Two local high schools pilot AutoCad classes

History is being made at this time here in the territory, as the computer technology company, Visucate, which provides computer technology (software and hardware), curriculum and Funding Services for Pre K-12th grade schools, as well as colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada, is in American Samoa — and currently teaching high school teachers AutoCad (Auto-Computer-Aided Design), also known as Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), with pilot high schools Nu’uuli VochTech and Kanana Fou.

“What we are trying to do is develop skill sets that are going to be used in industries, such as architecture, engineering and any kind of design work that you have. Basically we are trying to create skill sets that kids can use in these 21st century jobs.”said Robert Uhrle, Account Manager for Visucate.

“Once you develop into construction, manufacturing, or engineering, it is all done by design software technology” he added.

“These kids need a chance to be exposed to this software at an early age.There are companies here that use this software, that we would like to come as guest instructors. With the American Samoa Community College that has this software, the kids that are learning it here in high school, can take that next step up in college and learn more about it, then can stay and develop their skill on island. We have to be serious about preparing our kids for the job market... and if we can teach the kids the basic fundamentals of this software, the sky is the limit,” he said.

Uhrle went on to say, “Things have leaped so far ahead from what they used to be in terms of the drafting days. AutoCAD used to be thought of in terms of just construction or architecture, but now it used for almost in anything that you want to design in any fashion.”

BACKGROUND

According to industry information, AutoCAD was one of the first Computer Aided Designs programs to be made available on personal computers, and was built to help people design buildings, products, or public spaces, without having to draw up plans by hand. It was released in 1982 by Autodesk Inc. and offered a personal solution to software that was — before then — released only for larger workstations.

While CAD programs prior to AutoCAD required massive amounts of computing power in the form of gigantic computers, AutoCAD streamlined its operating and optimized it for the IBM PC, allowing people to work from home or on their own computers.

Some of the top jobs using AutoCAD skills are:

 Architects: Architects use AutoCAD to design structures  that people occupy, such as houses, factories and stadiums, often using blueprints, floor plans and other design formats.

Commercial and Industrial Designers: Commercials and Industrial Designers use AutoCAD to create designs for products and goods that consumers may buy. These goods include everything from stuffed animals to sports cars.

Civil Engineering: Civil Engineers use AutoCAD to design the roads, sewage, water supply and other systems that a city needs to develop and maintain its infrastructure.

Many jobs require a knowledge of AutoCAD because of this program’s ability to produce the precision graphics that manufacturers need. Manufacturers use these graphics to construct the products and structures that people in developed areas depend on and enjoy.

AutoCAD has largely replaced the manual tools that drafters formerly used to create graphics, while also providing new tools, including the ability to display photo-realistic models of a structure.