I am a Piping Designer with lots of actual hands on piping experience, 20 years as an industrial pipefitter and 14 years as a piping designer. The company I work for uses basic Autocad as our drafting software. The last couple of years I have used Cadworx for 3D design. The work in my area has been very bad this last year and I am starting to look else where for jobs. I feel that as far as design and layout I am as good as anyone, but my lack of experience with the latest "smart" programs will knock me out of most better paying contract jobs, and I don't want to travel unless it is worth my time financially. Any thoughts from some of the experienced contractors out there?

You said you are in the USA.
But where?

North Alabama Huntsville area

I must assume that you know that
Intergraph" the creator of and distributor of "PDS" and now the marketer of CADWorx is right there is Huntsville, AL.

Have you checked with them about their local Training classes or even a Job?

Locations
Huntsville (PP&M)
300 Intergraph Way
Madison, AL 35758
800-766-7701
Email: ppmcrm@intergraph.com
http://www.intergraph.com/assets/pdf/pp ... adison.pdf

Intergraph | Career Opportunity Details
... industry sales geographical area. Independently identifies and seeks out sales opportunities
and determines the best method of obtaining sales and serving ...
www.intergraph.com/careers/careerdetail.aspx?JN=52357

Yes they do train here but unless you have lots of money it might as well be in China. $2500 for a four day course. I am sure that is just the basics for one phase of a project. If I had $2500 just laying around I wouldn't be looking to travel and work.

If we want to earn lots of money on the basis of our skills...i think it is must for us to keep on learning whether it is a new software..or few technical things..we dont have any way out of it..!

The more you know the more you will earn & we have to work hard for it..!

ALL THE BEST

Abhijit