Trade SchoolsIf you want to start a rewarding career without spending four years in higher education, trade schools provide a faster and usually less expensive alternative.
Technical education can prepare you for rewarding careers in a variety of in-demand fields, including medical assisting, welding, cosmetology, electricity, applied technology, and more.
Most programs are designed to be completed in less than two years and focus on hands-on training covering the skills that prepare you for entry-level employment and licensure exam, if applicable.
On this page, we have compiled information about the best trade schools available in Wilmington, Delaware.
Here you will also find information about tuition costs, curriculum, admission requirements, and other factors that may help you choose the program that fits your learning style, schedule, budget, and career aspirations.
Many schools provide flexible schedules to meet the needs of busy adults who have to keep a full-time job while preparing for a new career.
Financial aid options are also available to help qualifying students cover their educational expenses.
1Wilmington University
About the School
Wilmington University offers more than 200 in-demand, accredited degree and certificate programs.
A private, nonprofit, open-access, and accredited institution, Wilmington University provides flexible formats, including 100% online options, and affordable tuition rates.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1
The school offers flexible courses that are available at a variety of sites, as well as online.
Wilmington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The following Certificate programs are available:
- 3D for Digital Media
- Accounting
- Administration in Higher Education
- Advanced Graphic Design
- Applied Business Statistics
- Criminal Justice
- Graphic Design
- Hospitality Management
- Health Information Certificate
- Java Programming
- Photography
- Video Production
- And more
The Health Information Certificate program follows a multi-disciplinary Healthcare Informatics curriculum that incorporates healthcare, management, finance, information technology, compliance, and law.
After completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Associate in Healthcare Informatics & Management Systems exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 320 N. DuPont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720
- Phone: (877) 967-5464
- Website: https://www.wilmu.edu
2Delaware Technical Community College
About the School
Delaware Technical Community College provides post-secondary level education programs that prepare students for new rewarding careers.
Degree, career-oriented programs, and developmental and community service activities are available at the Wilmington campus.
The college offers training programs that can lead to
- Bachelor of Science
- Associate in Applied Science
- Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree
- Associate of Science- General
- Certificates and Diplomas
- Continuing Education
Courses Offered
The Wilmington campus provides programs such as:
- Accounting- Associate in Applied Science Degree Program
- Management- Associate in Applied Science
- Marketing
- Cardiovascular Sonography- Associate in Applied Science
- Dental Hygiene- Associate in Applied Science
- Medical Assistant Studies Diploma
- And more
The duration of the program and the number of credits required for graduation vary depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
The Medical Assistant program covers courses such as:
- Intro to Medical Assisting
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Lab Procedures
- Pharmacology for Medical Assistants
- Ethical Issues in Health Care
- Medical Assistant Seminar
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 300 N. Orange St. Wilmington
- Phone: (302) 857-1000
- Website: https://www.dtcc.edu/our-campuses/wilmington
3National Personal Training Institute
About the School
The National Personal Training Institute provides a training program that prepares students for rewarding careers as personal trainers.
The Master Personal Training Program combines hands-on and virtual classes to accommodate students’ schedules.
Courses Offered
The following personal training diploma options are available at the institute:
- A 1,500-Hour Hybrid Personal Training Diploma Course
- A 2,500-Hour Virtual Personal Training Diploma Course
The 1,500-hour program curriculum consists of 300 hours of theory and allows students to apply the theory at a local National PTI gym with 200 hours of practical experience.
The 2,500-hour program asks that students go over the practical applications in each class session after completing the lecture part.
The theory parts cover courses on topics such as Anatomy & Physiology, Posture/Movement Analysis, Nutrition, Business Practices, Program Design, and more.
New classes start every six weeks.
Six- and 12-month programs are available with day, evening, and weekend schedules to accommodate students’ schedules.
Students who complete the program receive a State Licensed Personal Training Diploma that does not expire.
The institute also provides a Nutrition Certificate, lifetime job placement assistance, and after successfully completing the program, a NASM CPT and NASM ACD.
Continuing education programs are also available for personal trainers who want to keep up with their education.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Woodlawn Avenue B, Wilmington, DE 19805
- Phone: 800-960-6294
- Website: https://nationalpti.org/school/wilmington-de
4American Driver Training Academy, Inc
About the School
American Driver Training Academy, Inc provides entry-level truck driver training programs.
The school serves Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Students can begin a commercial truck driving career in four short weeks.
The school teaches basic truck driving skills, local and over-the-road trucking best practices, and more to help students launch their careers.
The student-to-truck ratio is 5 to 1 and students receive solo yard training.
The program teaches basic skills such as:
- Reading and understanding road signs and regulations
- Learning proper signals on the road
- Perfecting map reading and trip planning
- Tracking hours driven
- Managing different maneuvers in a heavy truck
- Performing pre-and post-trip inspections
Contact Information
- Address: 618 Lambson Lane, New Castle, DE 19720
- Phone: 866-853-0856
- Website: https://www.americandrivertraining.com
5Zip Code Wilmington
About the School
Zip Code Wilmington is a nonprofit software development boot camp.
Students who take classes at Zip Code can start a new career in as few as 12 weeks.
The school has corporate partners that interview students for full-time direct-hire jobs.
Zip Code Wilmington operates a 24/7 facility at The Mill in downtown Wilmington.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes classes on the following topics:
- Java
- The Basics of Computational Thinking
- Languages
- Tools in the Toolbox
- Frameworks
- Real World
- Data Engineering & Analytics
- Basics of Data Engineering
- Languages
- Frameworks
- Pipelines
Contact Information
- Address: 1007 N. Orange Street, Fourth Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Phone: 302-256-5203
- Website: https://www.zipcodewilmington.com
6Smith & Solomon Commercial Driver Training
About the School
A leader in industrial training solutions, Smith & Solomon provides an entry-level commercial truck driver training program.
The school has more than three decades of instruction experience and more than 50,000 graduates.
Smith & Solomon has nine truck driving schools in three states and a training fleet of over 140 trucks, buses, and forklifts.
Flexible scheduling is available to fit the schedules of busy students.
The training is designed to meet the demand for commercial drivers and forklift operators.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
CDL Training- 160-hour CDL A: Tractor Trailer Training program that prepares students for the CDL class A license and for entry-level employment
During the first week of training in this commercial driver’s license program, students are in the classroom, where they learn everything they need to pass the written permit test.
After completing the classroom training part, students move to the yard where they learn about truck inspections and making maneuvers in a controlled environment.
Refresher Courses that include 40 and 160 hours of classes are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 217 Lisa Dr., New Castle, DE 19720
- Phone: 800-633-0355
- Website: https://smithsolomon.com
7Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design
About the School
Established in 1977, Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design provides quality education to help students prepare for today’s beauty industry.
The programs prepare students for careers in Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Vocational Teaching.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Cosmetology- a program that combines formal classroom training and participation in a laboratory that is open to the public
- Esthetics- the program includes instruction in facial services, hair removal methods, makeup services, face and body treatments, business basics, and more
- Barbering- the program includes instruction in hair cutting and styling, shaving, shampooing, chemical applications, hair coloring, hair treatments, and more
- Nail Technology- a program that includes instruction in manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, paraffin treatment, and skin care
- Teacher Training- a program designed to prepare students for licensure in the State of Delaware
- Shaving- a 35-hour program
Contact Information
- Address: 211 Louviers Drive, Newark, DE 19711
- Phone: 302-737-5100
- Website: https://schillingdouglas.edu
8National Wine School
About the School
The National Wine School offers professional certifications for wine schools, universities, and trade schools.
Courses Offered
A Wine Courses for State-Accredited Schools program used at vocational schools across the United States is available at the school.
The programs are designed to be implemented by public and private schools.
This can be done as part of an existing course or the foundation of a new certification program.
Sommelier Courses for Wine Schools nationally certified sommelier programs are also offered.
Online certification and NWS accreditation are available for in-person classes.
The following Sommelier courses are available at National Wine School:
- Level 1 Sommelier- a course that costs $300
- Level 2 Sommelier- a $500 course
- Level 3 Sommelier- a course that costs $550
Contact Information
- Address: 2093 Philadelphia Pike Building 1961, Claymont, DE 19703
- Phone: 800-817-7351
- Website: https://www.wineschool.us
9Networks School for Employability Skills
About the School
Networks School for Employability Skills prepares students to become productive members of the workforce.
The school combines career technical education and employability skill training through the operation of 11 community-based enterprise areas.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school: Autoworks, Copyworks, Etchworks, Fabricworks, Frameworks, Teamworks, Tradeworks, and more.
The skills learned during the program vary depending on the pathway.
Students in Copyworks learn key office skills needed when operating a commercial copy center.
Fabrickworks students learn how to use embroidery and sewing machines to acquire the technical skills needed when fulfilling orders for custom embroidery, alterations, clothing, and home interior needs.
The Floralworks program teaches floral design as well as how to care for and handle flowers and plants.
Students in the Tradeworks program gain commercial and residential custodial and building maintenance experience while working in the community.
Contact Information
- Address: 30 Blue Hen Drive, Newark, DE 19713
- Phone: (302) 454-2233
- Website: https://www.christinak12.org/Page/51
10James H. Groves Adult High School
About the School
James H. Groves Adult High School provides learning opportunities for adult students who want to acquire a high school education culminating with a Grooves Adult High School Diploma.
The education provides graduates with the foundation skills to secure social, political, and economic independence.
James H. Groves Adult High School has a New Castle County Vo-Tech Adult Education center.
The school also operates a Polytech Adult Education- that provides apprenticeship programs for individuals ages 16 to 24 focused on trades, welding, electronics, automotive, diesel, and IT.
The James H. Groves Adult High School is funded through the DE Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 1703 School Lane, Wilmington, DE 19808 (James H. Groves Adult High School)
- Phone: (302) 683-3642
- Website: https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/2930
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
| Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 9,320 | $71,110 | $34.19 | $98,570 | $45,500 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 2,840 | $54,680 | $26.29 | $77,700 | $37,830 |
| Nursing Assistants | 32,410 | $41,240 | $19.83 | $47,170 | $34,240 |
| Dental Assistants | 5,580 | $49,400 | $23.75 | $57,320 | $35,860 |
| Medical Assistants | 12,720 | $44,990 | $21.63 | $55,360 | $36,490 |
| Phlebotomists | 2,510 | $46,910 | $22.55 | $57,300 | $38,110 |
| Electricians | 9,590 | $77,460 | $37.24 | $126,590 | $44,480 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 7,020 | $77,330 | $37.18 | $117,560 | $44,550 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 12,300 | $55,440 | $26.66 | $78,760 | $32,370 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 9,080 | $63,420 | $30.49 | $95,810 | $36,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best trade schools in Wilmington, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs, learning style, and career aspirations.
In this process, you should take into account tuition and fees, schedule, program requirements, accreditation, and all the other factors that are relevant to you.
Take your time and choose wisely!
Trade Schools by City in Delaware
