Computer Aided Design Apprentice Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apprenticeship Highlights

100% onsite apprenticeship in Des Moines, IA

  Spring 2027 through Summer 2027 apprenticeship opportunity

  Hands-on training in AutoCAD, Inventor, and Revit

  Learn drafting principles and construction industry applications

  Mentorship and on-the-job learning from experienced drafters

  Build skills that can support future drafting, design, and engineering-related career opportunities

Why this apprenticeship may be a great fit:

• Learn industry-leading CAD software while gaining practical drafting experience in a professional environment.
• Develop the ability to read and interpret structural drawings used on real construction projects.
• Receive training and mentorship from experienced drafting professionals who will help build your technical skills and confidence.
• Apply problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and mechanical aptitude to real-world project work.
• Contribute to project deliverables while learning EFCO's drafting standards, processes, and best practices.
• Build a strong foundation for a future career in drafting, engineering support, construction, or design-related fields.
• Gain exposure to the construction industry while developing technical and professional skills that support long-term career growth.
  

Don't meet every qualification listed? We still encourage you to apply! At EFCO, we're looking for motivated individuals who are eager to learn, take initiative, and develop valuable technical skills through hands-on experience.

If you're detail-oriented, enjoy working with technology, and are excited to build a career in drafting and design, we'd love to hear from you!

Overview

The CAD Apprenticeship role will learn to use AutoCAD, Inventor, and Revit software while developing a strong foundation in drafting principles.

This apprenticeship role will focus on understanding how to interpret structural and architectural drawings and support the drafting team on standard and custom project work.

Please note, this application is for our CAD Apprenticeship opening in Des Moines, IA, which is expected to run from Spring 2027 through Summer 2027.

Key Responsibilities

CAD Training & Development (70%)

• Work under guidance to build proficiency in CAD software and drafting techniques.
• Participate actively in training, apply learning to practice tasks, and demonstrate growing technical skill and responsibility. 

Erection Drawings Support (30%)

• Assist in creating basic erection drawings for projects.
• Follow established processes, apply attention to detail, and collaborate with team members to produce high-quality, accurate, and professional drawings.

Additional duties may be assigned to meet organizational goals and priorities. Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity, may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing, to meet organizational goals and priorities.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Drafting coursework or CAD exposure preferred.
    
• Experience: Experience in a construction or engineering environment is a plus.
  
• Other Requirements:
  • Willingness to learn and strong attention to detail required.
  • Demonstrated organizational and time management skills with mechanical aptitude.
  • Basic mathematical skills required.

Core Competencies

• Technical Skills: Proficiently uses job-specific tools, systems, and procedures to perform tasks effectively.
  
• Judgment: Makes sound decisions by evaluating facts, risks, and potential outcomes.
  
• Professionalism: Demonstrates reliability, accountability, and a respectful approach to all work and interactions.
  
• Responsibility: Takes ownership of actions, tasks, and outcomes; follows through on commitments.
  
• Development and Follow-Through: Invests in others’ growth and ensures execution of plans and commitments.

Working Arrangement

• This role will work 100% onsite at our Des Moines, IA headquarters.

Physical Demands

Light: Exerting up to 20 lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.

To ensure a safe work environment while meeting the physical demands of the job you must be able to perform the following physical and mental tasks with or with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Balancing - maintaining equilibrium when walking, climbing, crouching, etc.: Constantly
• Repetitive Motions - Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers: Occasionally
• Stooping – Bending at the waist: Occasionally
• Sitting/Standing – Must be able to sit or stand as required for extended periods of time: Frequently
• Lifting motions or lifting objects up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Walking: Frequently
• Climbing - Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles etc.: Occasionally
• Hearing: Frequently
• Talking: Frequently
• Capacity to think, concentrate and focus for long periods of time: Frequently
• Ability to read complex documents in the English language: Frequently
• Capacity to reason and make sound decisions: Frequently
• Ability to write complex documents in the English language: Frequently
• Capacity to express thoughts orally: Frequently
• Expertise in:
• Ability to regularly perform all job functions at company office or designated worksite
• Ability to withstand environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold, grass, wind, sand, fumes, odors, gases, noises. Etc.