Employers want students up-to-date with the ability to hit the ground running. The Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College), an affiliate of the Pennsylvania State University, is training students in the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies on Autodesk Inventor software. According to Autodesk, this training ensures that Penn College maintains a reputation for developing work-ready graduates by providing students with quality teaching, curriculum and tools.  In their first year of studies, students are learning leading-edge 3D CAD techniques with Inventor software. |
Penn College's School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies offers students two programs in drafting and CAD technology: a two-year associate's degree in CAD technology and a four-year bachelor's degree in CAD product design. The teaching and practice of new 3D design methodologies is the hallmark of their program."In their first year of studies, students are learning leading-edge 3D CAD techniques with Inventor software," says J.D. Mather, an assistant professor at Penn College. "We want students skilled in the same tools the experts are using, so the school-to-work transition is successful."
In 2006, Penn College became a pilot member of the Autodesk Student Engineering and Design Community. This online community, which has garnered more than 104,500 student and faculty members since September 2006, allows students in the fields of mechanical engineering, architecture, construction and civil engineering to download Autodesk software, including Inventor, for free (although free products are still subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies the software download). Autodesk believes that Inventor is the best-selling 3D mechanical design software and the foundation for digital prototyping.
 In their first year at Penn College's School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies, students are learning leading-edge 3D CAD techniques. |
"We are very proud that educational leaders like Penn College are taking advantage of the free software, as well as the teaching and learning resources offered through our Student Engineering and Design Community site," says Alan Jacobs, senior manager of University Programs for Autodesk. "Autodesk is committed to helping educators foster the next generation of engineers, and helping ensure that their students have the support they need to become successful professionals."According to Autodesk, employers are taking note of how quickly Penn College students become productive and are crediting their extensive knowledge of Inventor. The exposure to the software allows the students to hit the ground running without requiring time to train on the software. Penn College has also focused on preparing students for the Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert examination, which is a thorough, four-hour, hands-on and written examination that enables highly experienced users to demonstrate proficiency and expertise with Inventor software.
"We're proud that two of our recent graduates are among only three students worldwide who have passed the Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert exam," says Mather. "This exam is usually taken after several years of professional experience. With placement rates approaching 100 percent, it certainly appears we're fostering the skills employers demand. We recently received a request from an employer who had so much success with a recent graduate of our program that they were back searching for more fresh talent."
A certified Autodesk Inventor expert himself, Mather has also been active in the beta development of Inventor. His list of accomplishments includes being one of 10 winners of the Autodesk Inventor 10 Beta Challenge, one of eight winners of the Autodesk Inventor 11 Beta Awards and winner of the Autodesk Inventor 11 Shape Description Contest with his Inventor model of a stapler. Most recently, he was a speaker at Autodesk University 2006 in which his presentation was titled "Becoming an Autodesk Inventor Professor in 90 Minutes."
The Autodesk Student Engineering and Design Community portal also provides students and educators with many other resources, such as tutorials, forums and job postings.
Any student or faculty with a valid education e-mail address is invited to participate in the community, which can be accessed via www.autodesk.student.com.
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