Are you passionate about architecture, design, and creating amazing spaces? Meet Craig Welch, a recent graduate who turned his high school passion into a real career pathway with the Certificate IV in Residential Drafting at BFDA. 

At just 16, Craig decided to take on an exciting challenge—balancing high school with a professional drafting qualification. His story shows how young students can start building their future while still in school, gaining industry-ready skills and opening doors to architecture and building design in Australia. 

Why Craig Chose BFDA  

When Craig first started looking at his options, he considered doing his Certificate IV in Residential Drafting through TAFE. However, after some research and discussions, he and his family decided that BFDA would be a better fit. 

“TAFE was an option,” Craig explained, “but we thought the level of detail in the course wasn’t going to be as strong as what BFDA offered. BFDA seemed more specialized and focused on drafting, and that was exactly what I wanted. It just made more sense to go with a private college where I’d get more in-depth training.” 

Another big factor in Craig’s decision was the structure of the course. With BFDA, he had access to a well-organized online campus, which made navigating course materials and submitting work straightforward. While studying online can be challenging for some, Craig found the platform user-friendly and easy to manage. 

The teaching staff also made a difference. “The educators were really helpful,” Craig said. “Whenever I had questions, they were there to answer them. They made sure we understood what we were doing, which made a big difference.” 

By choosing BFDA, Craig felt confident he was getting a stronger foundation in drafting—one that would prepare him for his future studies in architecture or building design. 

What Skills Do You Learn? 

The Certificate IV in Residential Drafting at BFDA prepares students with real-world industry skills that employers look for. Craig now has experience in: 

✔️ Architectural drafting & design principles
✔️ Using CAD software (like Revit) to create professional plans
✔️ Understanding building codes and regulations
✔️ Designing residential projects from concept to completion 

These skills have given Craig a major advantage as he moves towards studying architecture or building design after high school. 

Balancing School & Drafting: Craig’s Strategy 

Taking on extra studies while finishing Year 11 and 12 was challenging, but Craig made it work by: 

🕒 Setting a routine – He focused on schoolwork during the week and dedicated weekends to his drafting coursework. 

📚 Using school time wisely – Having a dedicated lesson almost every day helped him stay on track. 

💻 Taking advantage of BFDA’s online campus – The easy-to-use platform made it simple to access notes, submit work, and stay organized. 

📢 Getting support from teachers – Craig found BFDA’s educators incredibly helpful whenever he had questions. 

What’s Next? 

Now that Craig has completed his qualification, he’s looking for part-time work in a drafting office while continuing his studies. His dream career in building design is already taking shape—all because he took that first step at 16! 

If you’re a high school student (or a parent of one) interested in architecture or building design, BFDA’s Certificate IV in Residential Drafting is the perfect launchpad to a professional career. 

📩 Get in touch today to learn how you can start building your future—just like Craig did! 

https://bfda.edu.au/contact/