Academy will offer students skills such as 2D/3D computer-aided design , 3D printing, computer numerical control and computer-aided manufacturing. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool is now home to the North West’s first academy dedicated to computer-aided design (CAD) skills.

The City of Liverpool College has opened its CAD Academy, which will offer students skills such as 2D/3D computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM).

The news comes just days ahead of the launch of the college’s £2.5m Digital Academy, which it claims will be the first of its kind in the UK.

CAD technology is used across a range of creative industries including architecture, engineering, advanced manufacturing and film-making to create precision drawings and technical illustrations.

The City of Liverpool College works in association with City & Guilds, a leader in skills development. At the end of the course, students will achieve a City & Guilds qualification in either Level 2 or Level 3 CAD.

The academy, based at the Institute of Technology in Vauxhall Road and will run the evening classes over a 30-week period. The college is also planning to launch an online CAD course, meaning that students based across the UK can benefit from the academy’s facilities. 

CAD technicians are currently in high demand across the Liverpool city region, particularly in the city’s growing advanced manufacturing sector, which relies on the software’s powerful accuracy and detail.

Dr Abdelhamid Sahih, head of school for engineering and logistics at The City of Liverpool College, said: “The college has experience, knowledge and resources, combined with our association with City & Guilds, we can provide a unique learning experience for students wanting to improve their technical skills.”