Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Staff Contact:

Andrea J. Burney, APR

Director of Public Relations & Minority Concerns

Chad E. Adams

Public Relations & Marketing Specialist

NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AND ESTIMATION PROGRAM OFFERED

DANVILLE, VA, December 4, 2006 – A new short-term program to prepare students with the skills

Residential Design and Estimation is now being offered

at Danville Community College to prepare students with

the skills necessary for employment in the home design

and construction fields. James Adkins, Instructor of

General Engineering/Drafting and Design, right, shows

DCC student, David Fesperman, how to design a house

using Chief Architect software. The program, one of DCC’s

new fast-track career options, can be completed in one

year of full-time study.

necessary for employment in the home design and construction fields is being offered at Danville Community College. Called Residential Design and Estimation, this program can be completed in one year and is designed for individuals with no prior experience as well as those who are currently employed in the construction field.

“We hope to give students another alternative to the (two year) Computer-Aided Drafting and Design program. This one is not as mechanical,” says James Adkins, Instructor of General Engineering and Computer-Aided Drafting and Design.

Adkins says the program was created in response to local industry needs. As part of the program of study, students will be required to complete courses that focus on the Chief Architect software. He notes there are a lot of job opportunities that require use of the software—not just locally, but nationally—without students having to relocate.

Other possible employment opportunities with a certificate in Residential Design and Estimation include the following job titles: Draftsman, Sales Technician, Surveying Assistant, Site Inspector, Construction Estimator and Construction Planner.

Adkins explains that students using the Chief Architect software in courses will focus on residential 3D design. They will build a 3D model of a house and create a tour to show off the home’s features. Adkins says that for the past three to four years, Chief Architect classes have been very popular with students.

“We’ve been teaching Chief Architect for a couple years as part of the drafting program, but this program is focused on the software,” says Adkins.

In addition to learning Chief Architect, students will examine the nature, structure, properties and typical applications of metallic, polymeric, ceramic and composite materials. They will also learn the fundamentals of mathematics and measurement systems and will form an understanding as to how building materials and labor factors affect construction costs.

Adkins encourages interested students to contact him for more information. He can be reached at 434.797.8436 or simply e-mail info@dcc.vccs.edu.