$130/hr for CAD monkeys!
Sep 25th 2008, 9:32 am
#16
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Location: Beerwah, SE QLD hinterland
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
We have just emigrated to Canberra and I scored a job working as a CAD monkey for a civil/structural design company, before Oz I was a glazing facade drafty/proj manager for about 12 years and I have to agree with the word monkey because this is what I have now become 
Nice company though and I figure I need the engineering experience to progress to higher things. After my 2 year sponsorship agreement (about 2 months in atm) with the ACT gov maybe we will move up the coast and find something a little better then the $50k Im earning now, but at the minute were stuck here and a foot in the door is always good.
Nice company though and I figure I need the engineering experience to progress to higher things. After my 2 year sponsorship agreement (about 2 months in atm) with the ACT gov maybe we will move up the coast and find something a little better then the $50k Im earning now, but at the minute were stuck here and a foot in the door is always good.
Sep 25th 2008, 10:33 am
#17
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
A friend of mine did this. He was in a dead-end job (building maintenance - no trade qualifications) and going nowhere and decided to change careers. So, at 36 with a wife, 2 kids and a mortgage he quit his job and enrolled in TAFE for a year to study structural design. It was extremely tough for them but he managed to work part-time and got through his course. At the beginning of this year he got a traineeship with an engineering consultancy at about $45k plus loads of overtime. He had no problem getting a trainee position and actually turned several down. Good luck to him. He's worked hard to do this and within a few years he will be getting $150k+.
It can be done.
It can be done.
I'm planning on doing a CAD TAFE course in the evenings next near...I already have a City & Guilds in AutoCAD and advanced GNVQ in architecture, so hopefully I can get taken on as a trainee once I've done TAFE. Sweet.
Sep 25th 2008, 11:29 am
#18
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
So AutoCAD will do, sounds great for highway engineers.
Sep 25th 2008, 11:48 am
#19
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
I would say that in WA or Qld that you will be snapped up.
Sep 25th 2008, 1:10 pm
#20
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Location: Adelaide
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
If only I was going to Brisbane!!!
I have 8 years AutoCAD experience, although only have experience on UK residential, so probably wouldn't be considered.
Sounds good though. Someone apply, they may even relocate you from the UK lol.
I have 8 years AutoCAD experience, although only have experience on UK residential, so probably wouldn't be considered.
Sounds good though. Someone apply, they may even relocate you from the UK lol.
Sep 25th 2008, 8:59 pm
#21
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Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Dublin
Posts: 39
Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
$135/hr is a nice rate, I would be setting up my best milking stool for that one. Though for that kind of money I reckon you would be expected to be churning out as serious amount of work per day.
I'm a Mech Engineer and heading to Brisbane next year, I am keeping my fingers crossed that all this infrastructure funding goes as per forecast.
If so it will mean Happy Days for a lot of us.
I'm a Mech Engineer and heading to Brisbane next year, I am keeping my fingers crossed that all this infrastructure funding goes as per forecast.
If so it will mean Happy Days for a lot of us.
Sep 26th 2008, 3:14 am
#22
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
Each to their own. I don't do CAD but I think half the population stares at a screen all day - only some people get paid more than others to do it! A real designer will only be spending half his time doing CAD though. The other half will be spent on site, sketching, writing reports etc.
I did a course on AutoCAD 8 years ago and never used it. I got a dodgy copy at the end of the course too. As it was only me on the course the teachers went faster and taught me bits of the other courses. Never used it!
Sep 26th 2008, 4:19 am
#23
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
OH is a CAD designer (catia/UG) mostly aerospace/automotive and trains with a good solid engineering background. He'd love to switch to infrastructure/civil but not sure if they'll want experience in that area
I have just got the bumf for our local TAFE to do cad drafting Cert III. From there I hope to find a local firm to use me as a trainee. OH will still be supporting us so money isn't that crucial to start with.
Do you guys reckon I stand a monkey's chance in hell seeing as I have no engineering background at all ? Just willingness and being pretty quick on the uptake and this course hopefully.
I have just got the bumf for our local TAFE to do cad drafting Cert III. From there I hope to find a local firm to use me as a trainee. OH will still be supporting us so money isn't that crucial to start with.
Do you guys reckon I stand a monkey's chance in hell seeing as I have no engineering background at all ? Just willingness and being pretty quick on the uptake and this course hopefully.
Sep 26th 2008, 5:15 am
#24
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
You do. Read my earlier post. I have 5 trainees working for me who had no previous experience.
Sep 26th 2008, 8:03 am
#25
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Sep 26th 2008, 8:08 am
#26
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Sep 26th 2008, 11:33 pm
#27
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Oct 14th 2008, 2:00 pm
#28
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Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
Sounds like a right doddle, but I posted a thread yesterday asking for advice in this line because I've been finding it anything but...
Maybe it's because I want to move from the Uk to the Cairns area? I've been a CAD Monkey in the construction industry for years and have lots of experience, but having turned 40 I seem to just fall into the 'reserve pool' in terms of points for a 175 visa. So... looking at the employer sponsored route, but this seems to be a high hurdle. Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
Or are 40 year old CAD Monkeys about as sought after as cane toads up there?
Cheers.
Maybe it's because I want to move from the Uk to the Cairns area? I've been a CAD Monkey in the construction industry for years and have lots of experience, but having turned 40 I seem to just fall into the 'reserve pool' in terms of points for a 175 visa. So... looking at the employer sponsored route, but this seems to be a high hurdle. Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
Or are 40 year old CAD Monkeys about as sought after as cane toads up there?
Cheers.
Last edited by AndyP10; Oct 14th 2008 at 2:04 pm.
Oct 15th 2008, 1:27 am
#29
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
Sounds like a right doddle, but I posted a thread yesterday asking for advice in this line because I've been finding it anything but...
Maybe it's because I want to move from the Uk to the Cairns area? I've been a CAD Monkey in the construction industry for years and have lots of experience, but having turned 40 I seem to just fall into the 'reserve pool' in terms of points for a 175 visa. So... looking at the employer sponsored route, but this seems to be a high hurdle. Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
Or are 40 year old CAD Monkeys about as sought after as cane toads up there?
Cheers.
Maybe it's because I want to move from the Uk to the Cairns area? I've been a CAD Monkey in the construction industry for years and have lots of experience, but having turned 40 I seem to just fall into the 'reserve pool' in terms of points for a 175 visa. So... looking at the employer sponsored route, but this seems to be a high hurdle. Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
Or are 40 year old CAD Monkeys about as sought after as cane toads up there?
Cheers.
Oct 15th 2008, 1:32 am
#30
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Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: $130/hr for CAD monkeys!
Sounds like a right doddle, but I posted a thread yesterday asking for advice in this line because I've been finding it anything but...
Maybe it's because I want to move from the Uk to the Cairns area? I've been a CAD Monkey in the construction industry for years and have lots of experience, but having turned 40 I seem to just fall into the 'reserve pool' in terms of points for a 175 visa. So... looking at the employer sponsored route, but this seems to be a high hurdle. Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
Or are 40 year old CAD Monkeys about as sought after as cane toads up there?
Cheers.
Maybe it's because I want to move from the Uk to the Cairns area? I've been a CAD Monkey in the construction industry for years and have lots of experience, but having turned 40 I seem to just fall into the 'reserve pool' in terms of points for a 175 visa. So... looking at the employer sponsored route, but this seems to be a high hurdle. Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
Or are 40 year old CAD Monkeys about as sought after as cane toads up there?
Cheers.
Not the best option but at least it would get you into Cairns.
