AKAD Computer & Technical Services Ltd, Castlebar has won best AutoCAD Training Centre(ATC) in Ireland(North & South) for 2006 at an Autodesk conference in Prague recently. AKAD beat strong competition from Dublin, Cork & Belfast to come out the best on the island of Ireland. The conference was attended by other ATCs from all over Europe, Middle East & Africa as well as Autodesk personnel from Europe and America.

AutoCAD is a software produced by Autodesk for the design of buildings & construction projects, roads, civil engineering projects, mechanical engineering, mapping, manufacturing & product development. The company has an annual turnover of $1.5 billion as has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years.

By winning this award AKAD has demonstrated that it is now a market leader in the supply of AutoCAD training, software & services. The company runs AutoCAD training in Castlebar, Donegal, Sligo, CarrickonShannon, Longford, Ennis, Limerick, Thurles & Dublin. AKAD also has won the CDP(Competency Development Programme)contract from FAS whereby eligible participants receive 50% to 70% funding. This contract applies to the North West, West, Mid West & Dublin. Courses in Dublin are scheduled to start late September.