10 Best Trade Schools inNorth Carolina

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If you’re looking for a way to advance your knowledge, but don’t want to spend insane amounts of money and time doing so, then trade school might be a perfect choice for you.

At vocational schools, students are focused on obtaining a certain, specialized skill.

Although trade schools have been under fire in the past, the world has realized the benefits of attending these schools, due to the rapidly-increasing demand for highly-skilled workers.

North Carolina has some amazing trade schools that are guaranteed to provide you with a top-notch education.

These are the top ten trade schools one can find in North Carolina:



State FlagTrade Schools by City


1Raleigh's Bartending School

Bartending can be a very lucrative job position because it’s not limited to only one place of work, e.g cafes.

Bartenders can work in a wide variety of professional settings, including becoming a part of events planning companies, restaurants, clubs, cruise ships, hotels, restaurants, and many more interesting industries.

Raleigh’s Bartending School is a great educational facility eager to teach new students some mad bartending skills.

Their instructors have been a part of the bartending industry for years and have an insane amount of experience.

Here, students will be taught how to create over a hundred different popular drinks and cocktails.

The school also offers a job placement assistance program that will help prospective graduates find finding a stable and secure job almost immediately upon completion of the program.

The classes are also very flexible, making it perfect for individuals who have to balance family and work beside their educational endeavors.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special requirements. Everyone’s welcome to apply.

Fees: Contact the school to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Bartending Introduction -12-Hour Certification Course
  • Certified Bartender – 40-Hour Certification Course
  • Professional Bartender – Ultimate Professional’s Course

Contact:

  • Raleigh’s Bartending School
  • Address: 6512 Six Forks Road, Suite 504B, Raleigh, NC 27615
  • Phone: 919-729-5359
  • Website: https://www.cocktailmixer.com

2Charlotte Dental Assisting School

Dental assisting is a great career choice that often results in finding a secure, well-paid job.

The Charlotte Dental Assisting School is dedicated to providing a top-notch education in the field of dentistry.

The classes are held in an actual dental office, so students will have a unique opportunity to get a feel for what’s it like in the real work.

Their courses last for 12 weeks and will teach students all the techniques and skills needed to excel in this industry.

They focus on teaching modern techniques in a hands-on manner, allowing for better learning.

Classes are held only on Fridays and Saturdays, making it very accessible for individuals who are currently working, raising a family, or both.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Must obtain an up-to-date immunization record
  • Must bring a government-issued photo ID
  • Must make a down payment made before the first day of class

Fees: The tuition fee for their dental assisting course is $3,810. They offer various payment plans.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Dental assisting

Contact:


3Trans Tech Truck Driving School

The trucking industry is booming, especially in states such as North Carolina.

Truck drivers have stable jobs with high salaries.

However, you can’t become a trucker without a proper education – that’s where Trans Tech comes in.

They work alongside US  top trucking companies to ensure that their programs follow the latest industry standards.

The facilities are very modern and class sizes are small – a perfect combination.

Trans Tech is a member of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association and is licensed by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.

They offer a stellar job assistance program which is praised by their students.

Many of them claim that employers came to them even before graduation!

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must own a valid Social Security Card.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.
  • Must pass a pre-employment and random drug test.
  • Have the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language

Fees: Contact the school to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

Contact:


4Gwinnett Colleges & Institute

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute’s goal is to provide custom-tailored career-focused education for all individuals who’d like to master a certain skill.

This school offers a wide variety of courses ranging from accounting to nursing.

Their curriculum is top-notch and suitable for everyone.

They take pride in offering the most comprehensive courses and focus on teaching students not only a certain skill but also how to market themselves and their services.

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute in Raleigh is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and approved by the North Carolina Community College System Office of Proprietary Schools Licensing and Services.

Enrollment: All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Contact their admissions department to inquire about additional requirements for respective courses.

Fees: Contact the school to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

Contact:


5ABC Bartending School

ABC Bartending School is probably the standard when it comes to bartending and mixology courses.

It has branches all over the country, and this branch is probably one of the most successful ones.

ABC Bartending School offers a nation-wide job placement assistance through its vast network of connections.

So far, this school has successfully employed thousands of students every year.

Bartending is an ever-growing industry and by choosing to go this route, prospective students will find jobs with ease.

Some of the places they where can work are bars, hotels, cruisers, restaurants, etc.

The ABC Bartending School has also won numerous prizes for their excellence, including the 2011 Talk of the Town Award for Excellence In Customer Satisfaction.

Enrollment: All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Fees: The tuition fee for their course is $495.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Bartending and mixology

Contact:


6Carolina Career College

Carolina Career College is a vocational education institution that focuses on providing students with excellent IT-related courses.

Since IT is one of the fastest-developing industries in the world, with proper education, it can be very lucrative.

They offer an abundance of courses, so everyone can find a perfect fit for their needs and desires.

Another benefit is that their student to staff ratio, allowing for better and more efficient learning.

Of course, their program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.

They also offer a job assistance program for all students who’d like to start working almost immediately upon graduation.

This program will teach students how to write great resumes and cover letters, as well as coach them to excel at job interviews.

Carolina Carer Colleges is an outstanding educational institution eager to accept prospective IT experts.

Enrollment: Contact their admissions department to inquire about requirements for respective courses.

Fees: The tuition fees vary depending on the course, going up to $25,799

The school offers the following courses:

  • Security and Network Infrastructure Specialist
  • Systems Administrator
  • Network and Systems Specialist
  • Desktop Support Technician

Contact:


7Western North Carolina School of Massage

Western North Carolina School of Massage aims to guide students through their journey of self-development and becoming licensed massage therapists.

The school was founded by Hope DeVall, who’s an expert massage therapist with a long tradition of helping people feel better.

She has owned two successful massage therapy businesses prior to settling down in North Carolina.

Western North Carolina School of Massage’s goal is to teach students the importance of touch and how a simple touch can make a huge change in someone’s life.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or G.E.D.
  • Must provide one personal and one professional reference
  • Must write an essay, answering the seven questions listed on the application form
  • Attend an interview

Fees: The fee for their 600-Hour Massage Therapy Diploma program is $5,995

The school offers the following courses:

  • 600-Hour Massage Therapy Diploma

Contact:


8North Carolina School of Advanced Body Work

North Carolina School of Advanced Body Work was founded by Kyle Wright, an expert in the field of massage therapy with 30 years of experience.

This school offers advanced training and provides students with a large number of prospective job opportunities.

Here, students will mostly focus on resolving chronic muscle tension and learn what causes it and how it can be effectively aided.

Massage therapy is another rapidly-growing industry that is in demand for professional workers.

The school is adamant in providing students a top-notch education at reasonable prices.

That’s exactly why they offer multiple payment plans.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a legal U.S. citizen
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Must be willing and able to pass a background check upon applying for their state license

Fees: The tuition fee for their Professional Clinical Massage and Bodywork Therapy Program is $8,500.00. There is also a $75 registration fee.

The school offers the following courses:

  • The Professional Clinical Massage and Bodywork Therapy Program

Contact:

  • North Carolina School of Advanced Body Work
  • Address: 820 Tyvola Road, Suite 203, Charlotte, NC 28217
  • Phone: 980-224-8449
  • Website: https://www.ncsab.com/

9Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College has been around since 1958, and nowadays, it serves over 35,000 students every year.

They strive towards providing students with an innovative, fun learning experience that will help them further their knowledge and advance in their careers.

It offers so many different courses, that it’s nearly impossible not to find something that would suit your needs.

This community college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges.

Enrollment: Contact their admissions department to get further information about requirements for respective courses.

Fees: Contact the school to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

This school offers an extremely wide variety of courses, only some of which include:

  • Accounting
  • Accounting Specialist (Hybrid)
  • Activity Director – Basic
  • Advertising and Graphic Design
  • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
  • Aircraft Structures Assembly and Repair
  • Apartment Maintenance Technician
  • Architectural Technology
  • Automotive Systems Technology – Ford ASSET
  • Automotive Systems Technology – General
  • Aviation Electronics (Avionics) Technology
  • Aviation ManagementBiotechnology
  • Board of Elections
  • Business & Industry Training
  • Cardiac Monitor Technician Training Program
  • Career Pilot
  • Carpentry
  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
  • Communication
  • Computer Integrated Machining
  • Computer Technology Training
  • Conflict and Resolution
  • Construction Management
  • Cooking, Cake Decorating & Culinary Courses
  • Cosmetology
  • Criminal Justice Technology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Cyber Crime Technology
  • Defensive Driving
  • Dental Assisting
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology
  • DSS Income Maintenance Caseworker
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Ed2go/GTCC Online Instruction
  • EKG Technician Training Program
  • Electrical Systems Technology
  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Emergency 911 Telecommunicator
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Interpreter – Spanish/English
  • Medical Office Administration
  • Medical Office Administration—Healthcare Administration
  • Medical Office Administration—Medical Billing and Coding Option
  • Medical Receptionist
  • Medicare Pre-Licensing Exam Prep
  • Medication Administration Aide Training Program
  • Motorcycle Safety
  • Motors and Controls
  • Municipal Finance
  • Music
  • Notary
  • Nursing: Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing: Nursing Assistant I Training Program
  • Nursing: Nursing Assistant Refresher Training Program
  • Nursing: Practical Nursing Therapeutic Massage – Professional
  • Transfer Courses – Astronomy
  • Transfer Courses – Health and Physical Education
  • Turfgrass Management
  • Welder – GMAW (“MIG”)
  • Welding Technology

Contact:


10Career and Technical Education Center

Career and Technical Education Center is another outstanding vocational facility that helps students with obtaining in-demand skills.

They offer multiple courses that will help students with finding a job in many lucrative industries.

The school’s staff is very motivated and student-oriented.

They take pride in providing students with a personalized education because they recognize the fact that everyone is different.

Overall, it’s an amazing institution that inspires students to work on themselves and their skills.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special requirements. All students are welcome to apply.

Fees: Contact the school to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Automotive
  • Computer Programming
  • CTEC Makerspace
  • Culinary Arts
  • Digital Media
  • Health Sciences
  • Scientific Visualization

Contact:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants12,160$57,860$27.82$83,880$37,650
Medical Records Specialists5,090$49,400$23.75$69,250$33,050
Nursing Assistants56,390$35,340$16.99$43,180$27,630
Dental Assistants10,930$47,840$23.00$59,760$36,790
Medical Assistants22,950$40,880$19.65$48,380$33,430
Phlebotomists5,020$40,670$19.55$48,390$31,730
Electricians21,900$53,610$25.78$66,400$38,310
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters15,120$53,140$25.55$71,970$36,060
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics24,300$49,260$23.69$76,490$29,240
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers13,320$52,960$25.46$72,990$36,990
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for North Carolina, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Trade schools’ popularity has been rapidly increasing.

Thankfully, there are a lot of amazing educational institutions that support and provide this type of schooling.

There are so many different courses in various areas of expertise, that it would be simply impossible not to find something that you find appealing.