Peter, who are these 'CAD operators' who can't design?
It's been my experience, the seasoned designers are also the CAD
experts.
Back when we used to hand tape, the PWB designers were the first
ones to use a CAD station.
So what if their experience is not on your particular system?
They just need the ability to adapt, and that's usually aparent on a
resume'.
If your CAD package is friendly enough (we use PowerPCB), you can
put a seasoned designer to work immediately.(2-3 days).

P.S.-Even though our CAD package didn't cost 80K and require a week
long training seminar, it does what we need it to;
DXF in & out, Netlist in and backanno, CAM output for pick & place, etc.

Gary Bauder
PWB Design Supervisor
Amtech Systems
Albuquerque, NM

##############################################################
IPC Designers Council Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
##############################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE DESIGNERCOUNCIL <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF DESIGNERCOUNCIL
##############################################################
Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information.
For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311
##############################################################