What are the best technical illustrator qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming a technical illustrator? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective technical illustrator?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Host said: What is the best training for becoming a technical illustrator? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective technical illustrator?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

A basic understanding of geometry helps, also, just basic comprehension of where to place the line instead of just drawing one is advantages, unfortunatly that skill can't be taught, only with experience you learn that.
XML programing also helps as most companies use XML programs to do data scrubbing and manipulation before entering it into their documentation compilation programs. I use Mincom LinkOne and it's HTML based so there's no limit to our scripting to effect a clients' look and feel of their documentation.

If you want to become a T.I. that stands out, specialize in using a 3D package. I have 16 years ex. and hold a T.S/SCI clearance and right now, there's not much of a job market for me. Unless you're a US citizen that is, there's not much of a market for you if you're not, but being one, you can get a security clearance which puts you 50% infront of everyone else.

Art is all and well but only if you're still doing board work. The only qualification worth having (as far as I know) was the City and Guild from England, but that ended when I started drawing nuts and bolts! So now I'm teaching myself ProductOne Deep Publisher and furthering my Adobe Illustrator skills.

Regards