Those who want to pursue a career in architectural or mechanical drafting can begin that path right here in Greenville.

Dr. Ed Meadows, president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, announced this week that beginning with the summer term, the Greenville campus would have its own two-year program of study in drafting and design technology.

According to Joree Jones, associate dean of LBWCC, this is an indication of the college’s commitment to expanding its services with more technical programs.

&uot;We decided with all the Tier One suppliers coming into Butler County, we’re getting more requests for graduates with technical skills,&uot; she said.

&uot;We feel like we will have a lot of businesses up and down the I-65 corridor who will be interested in this type of career.

As new businesses and industries develop, we’ll have local people with the skills the companies will need.&uot;

Jones said the drafting and design technology program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts, principles, and techniques which are required for employment in the field of drafting.

Courses being offered summer semester include Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting and Fundamentals of Drafting and Design Technology.

The first day of the summer term is May 24 and registration is April 25.

Jones said Sharon Stricklin, who teaches drafting at the MacArthur campus will teach the classes in Greenville.

&uot;We’re really excited about it,&uot; Jones said.

&uot;We’ve already had one person come in and said he was unemployed.

He was interested in welding, but when he was told about the drafting program, he signed up for it instead.&uot;

The classes will begin at 8 a.m. and run through the noon hour.

For days, visit the college’s website at www.lbw.edu.

Jones said at the end of the two years, the student will have earned a degree.

&uot;It is an Associate of Applied Science in Drafting,&uot; she said.

&uot;They can usually check with other schools if they wish to pursue a four year degree to see what courses transfer.

We do know all the general studies will transfer.&uot;

It will take 70 semester hours to earn the A.A.S.

The program offers techniques ranging from mechanical through structural drafting.

Students will receive exposure to the following:

different aspects of the drafting field, including technical, architectural, civil, structural, illustrations, and CAD; hands-on experience with different types of CAD, including AutoCAD; up-to-date hardware and software; and techniques/procedures supported by the American Design Drafting Association.

Upon graduation students will be qualified to fill the position of drafting technician and should be able to advance quickly to the position of design drafting technician.

Those interested are encouraged to contact Stricklin at 334-493-3573 or Linda Adams at the Greenville campus by calling 383-6701.