SAE Updates Automotive Industry's Only CAD Certification

TROY, Mich., Oct. 11, 2004 -- The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recently announced an update on the industry's only Automotive CAD Certification, an international program that provides one standard for developing and measuring automotive CAD skills globally. Successful candidates solve real-world automotive design problems through the latest technology.

"Over the last six months, we have worked with our Executive Steering and Curriculum Committee members to define a certification program that meets the needs of North America automotive manufacturers as well as Europe and Asia," said Kevin Perry, manager, professional development, SAE. "Committee input from General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, Delphi as well as other key consultants has defined the scope and magnitude of what this certification will achieve."

According to Andrew Brown Jr., an executive director of engineering competency with Delphi Corporation, "The China vehicle manufacturers expect Delphi to have full engineering capability in China starting with our new Technical Center in Shanghai. Having demonstrated engineering competency in project and program management along with CAD, CAE, and CAM is essential to our success. Our Delphi China engineering team is expected to attend in these areas."

SAE Automotive CAD Certification addresses four needs outlined by OEMs and leading suppliers:

   * The need for an independent industry-recognized program for training
     new hires.
   * The need to apply rapid changes in technology and automotive processes
     to shorten the product development cycle.
   * The need for hiring professionals to identify design engineers equipped
     to solve automotive design challenges in the context of CAD
     applications.
   * The need for manufacturers to provide a professional development path
     for design engineers.

SAE Certification Candidates must first pass an Automotive Essentials exam that tests automotive design knowledge in: drafting/assemblies, tolerance management, data management, electrical systems, industrial processes/materials and sheet metal. Candidates then choose one or more of the following disciplines to receive their full certification in: Styling, Interior Trim, Body/Structures and Powertrain/Chassis.

Certification training will be offered in Unigraphics and CATIA software programs. Candidates should be proficient in the basic modeling functions of these programs.

An Automotive Essentials training and examination program will launch in Shanghai, China, on Nov. 15 and in Detroit, Michigan, Nov. 1. For more information, e-mail autocadcert@sae.org or visit http://www.sae.org/autocadcert .

SAE is working in an exclusive partnership with Cadpo -- ( http://www.cadpo.com/ ) an industry recognized provider of software-neutral MCAD/PLM education content -- to provide this certification.

SAE is a non-profit engineering and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility technology to better serve humanity. Nearly 85,000 engineers and scientists who are SAE members develop technical information on all forms of self-propelled vehicles, including automobiles, aircraft, aerospace craft, trucks, buses, marine, rail and transit machinery. This information is disseminated through SAE meetings, books, electronic products and databases, technical papers, standards, reports, and professional development programs.