10 Best Trade Schools inNewport News, VA

1Centura College

About the School

Centura College is offering career placement services since 1969.

The college opened its first school in 1983 and it was then called the Electronic Institute of Technology.

In 2008 the school became Centura College.

The College offers training at five locations in Virginia.

Tuition is between $350-$725 per hour, depending on the program.

Additional fees include a $25 application fee, a $12 library fee, books and supplies, and an administration fee.

Some programs also require a tool kit, a lab fee, or exam/certification fees.

Financial assistance is available to students who qualify.

Centura College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Careers Schools and Colleges.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at Centura College Newport News campus:

• Medical Assistant Diploma – a program that can be completed in 12 months
• Medical Assistant with Limited-Scope Radiologic Technology Diploma – a 15-month program that prepares students for a position as a certified medical assistant and gets them ready for the X-ray technician exam.
• Massage Therapy Diploma – an 8-month program
• Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning – this program can be completed in 12 months.

Contact Information

• Address: 616 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, VA 23608
• Phone: 757-874-2121
• Website: https://www.centuracollege.edu

2Empire Beauty School

Empire Beauty School offers a variety of programs conducted by trained and licensed beauty educators.

Students learn in a salon/clinic environment where they work with real clients.

Empire Beauty School is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

If you want to enroll in one of the college’s programs, you will need:

• A copy of a photo identification
• A copy of high school diploma or equivalent
• A career planning interview
• Pay an application fee
• A completed enrollment package

All new students must attend an orientation before starting the program.

This will provide the student with information about responsibilities and standards, the format of the program, and performance measurement.

Financial assistance such as student grants, loans, scholarships, and payment plans are available.

The school is providing quality education and training since 1934.

Courses Offered

The school offers the following programs:

• Cosmetology- a 1,500-hour program
• Nail Technology- a 210-hour program

The school offers a cosmetology program that includes hands-on instruction in haircutting, hair coloring, hair design, basic skincare, and business/retail training.

Graduates are ready to sit for the state licensing exam.

Contact Information

• Address: 12365 Hornsby Lane, Suite C, Newport News, VA 23602
• Phone: 757-525-3282
• Website: https://www.empire.edu

3The Academy of Bartending

About the School

A small locally-owned business, The Academy of Bartending educates students in all aspects of bartending.

The school was founded in 2006 by Terry Dickerson, who wanted to build a school that takes the art of mixology seriously and prepares skilled bartenders.

Students and graduates have the opportunity of receiving hands-on experience in making drinks, interacting with customers, and counting inventory.

The school offers job placement assistance.

The Academy of Bartending is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

You can apply for class by filling out a form on the school’s website.

Courses Offered

The school offers a Certified Mixology 40-hour class that combines classroom instruction and hands-on experience in making drinks.

Students who attend this program graduate as a Mixologist T.I.P.S. certified.

The Certified Mixology course costs $495

The Certification is good anywhere in the United States.

This course is completed in two weeks if attended four hours per weekday.

There are two schedules to choose from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. or 6 p.m.-9:40 p.m.

T.I.P.S. on Premise, a program taught every Wednesday and Saturday is also available.

This course costs $35.

Contact Information

• Address: 9907 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601
• Phone: (757)595-2274
• Website: https://www.theacademyofbartending.com

4Virginia Technical Academy

About the School

Virginia Technical Academy is a fully accredited Virginia trade school.

The school prepares students for rewarding careers in skilled trades.

The credit hours earned through their career track programs may be transferred to a four-year college if you want to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Courses Offered

Virginia Technical Academy is offering career-track programs on the following topics:

• HVAC/R – a program that teaches students how to install, operate and repair heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems
• Electrician – students enrolled in this program learn how to work with residential, commercial, and industrial electric-power wiring
• Plumbing – this program teaches students how to apply technical knowledge when working with plumbing fixtures, storm and waste systems
• Major Appliance Technology – 16-hour program that prepares students who can repair, install, and service major gas, electric, and microwave consumer appliance
• Building/Property Maintenance Technology – includes instruction in basic maintenance and repair skills specific to building systems.

The following certification classes are also available:

• EPA Section 608 Certification- an one-day, six-hour course
• R-410A Safety Certification- a two-day, six-hour course
• ISCET
• NASTEC

Contact Information

• Address: 809 Omni BlvdNewport News, VA 23606
• Phone: 757-586-5322
• Website: https://vtacademy.com

5Riverside College of Health Careers

About the School

Riverside College of Health Careers is offering allied health and nursing programs.

Tuition varies depending on the program and its duration.

The Radiologic Technology program, for example, costs $26,850.

Tuition is $17,500 for the Practical Nursing program.

Other associated costs include books, uniforms and shoes, supplies, and credentialing fees.

Their programs are accredited by the appropriate institutions, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Courses Offered

The following allied health courses are available:

• Radiologic Technology
• Cardiovascular Technology Program with Adult Echocardiography Specialty
• Surgical Technology
• Physical Therapist Assistant

These nursing programs are also offered:

• RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Professional Nursing
• LPN to RN Advanced Placement Option
• Practical Nursing
• Nurse Aide

The duration of each program varies depending on the pathway you choose and the schedule.

For example, the Practical Nursing program can be completed in 12 months by students in the day division and 15 months by students in the evening/weekend divisions.

Graduates of the Practical Nursing program are ready to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.

Contact Information

• Address: 316 Main Street, Newport News, VA 23601
• Phone: 757-240-2200
• Website: https://www.riversideonline.com

6Tomorrow's Image Barber Academy of Virginia

About the School

Tomorrow’s Image Barber Academy of Virginia is an elite beauty and barber Academy in Newport News.

The Barber Academy was established in 2005.

It became nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences in 2010.

The institution is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in 2016.

If you want to apply at the beauty academy, the first step is to complete a form on their website.

A high school diploma or GED is required for admission.

If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you have to meet the Ability to Benefit requirements.

Applicants have to meet with an Admissions Representative for a personal interview and a tour of the Academy.

Courses Offered

Tomorrow’s Image offers training programs that prepare students for entry-level employment as barbers or cosmetologists.

The barber program leads to an undergraduate certificate in Barbering.

The program is 39-weeks long and has a 77 percent graduation rate.

Tuition and fees for this program sum up to $17,135.

Students have to pay $725 for books and supplies.

The Cosmetology program costs $19,860.

Financial assistance is available for students who qualify.

Contact Information

• Address: 490-F Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, VA 23602
• Phone: 757-874-1300
• Website: https://www.tomorrowsimage.com

7Shippers' Choice of Virginia

About the School

Shippers’ Choice is offering CDL training in Newport News.

The school was founded in 1993 and has trained approximately 25,000 professional truck drivers since then.

The school offers full-time and part-time schedules.

The program includes 160 hours of range, road, and classroom training.

A learner’s permit is not required to start.

According to the school’s website, approximately 90 percent of the companies who hire from the school offer complete tuition reimbursement.

Students learn from DMV-certified instructors with years of commercial driving experience.

The training is focused on real-world immediate hands-on CDL training.

Classes are small, so each student receives the attention they need.

Financial assistance is available for students who qualify.

Courses Offered

Shippers’ Choice offers training in:

• CDL- Class A
• Bus/Dump Truck

The class A training includes:

• 160 hours of range, CDL road, and classroom training
• Exam training and preparation
• DMV testing on-site at Shippers Choice

The Class B commercial drivers license training course includes:

• 120 hours of range, road, and classroom training
• CDL license exam training and preparation
• DMV testing on-site

Contact Information

• Address: 6163 Jefferson Ave C, Newport News, VA 23605
• Phone: 1 757-896-1155
• Website: https://www.shipperschoice.com

8Allied RX Institute of Healthcare

About the School

Allied RX Institute of Healthcare is certified by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia.

Courses length varies between 12-16 weeks.

Tuition at Allied RX varies between $975-$1,650, depending on the program you choose.

Classes also include video simulations, interactive guides, and hands-on training.

Admission is open to students of all levels of experience.

To be eligible for admission, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Complete an application

Courses Offered

Allied RX is offering the following healthcare programs:

• Pharmacy Tech – this program includes training in basic pharmacy and pharmacy calculations
• Phlebotomy – the program covers the principles of phlebotomy and a phlebotomy lab
• Medical Assistant (CCMA) – this program covers topics such as asepsis, infection control, phlebotomy, EKG, administration and medication, and more.
• Medical Billing & Coding – students enrolled in this program learn about the history of healthcare, different types of insurance, Medicare and Medicaid regulations.
• EKG Technician- a program that teaches students about ECG interpretation, electrical axis, infarct patterns, chamber hypertrophy, and tachycardia, among other topics.

Contact Information

• Address: 2105 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23228
• Phone: 1-866-348-6920
• Website: https://alliedrxtraining.com

9Pink Lotus School of Waxing

About the School

Founded in 2017, Pink Lotus School of Waxing is a Virginia State Certified Wax School.

Students who complete their waxing course may take the State Board exam and, if passed, receive a Wax Technician license.

Those interested can register by completing an application form on the upcoming courses page on the school’s website.

There are no prerequisites for the 115-hour Certified Wax Technician course.

All the other classes require an Esthetician or Cosmetologist license.

Courses Offered

Pink Lotus School offers a 115-hour program that combines online with face-to-face education.

The time of completion depends on the student’s schedule.

Missed days can be made up for.

Tuition is between $2,200-$2,600, depending on the time of enrollment.

An optional $165 state board kit is available.

Tuition is due before the first day of courses.

For the Wax Technician Course, you have to pay $1,700 before the course starts and the rest can be paid one month from the first day of class.

A four-hour face-and-full-body course is also available for licensed estheticians and cosmetologists.

Tuition for the four-hour face and full body course is $700.

The school also offer a Brow Master course that costs $200, a $175 Brow Wax and Tint course, and a Brazilian only with a hard-wax course that costs $400.

A State Board Refresher course is also available for $125.

Contact Information

• Address: 6022 Jefferson Ave, Suite 100, Newport News, VA 23605
• Phone: 757-650-5323
• Website: https://www.thepinklotusschoolofwaxing.com

10ECPI University

ECPI University is offering accelerated programs that prepare students for employment in a variety of fields.

The school provides campus and online classes with schedules that fits students’ life.

ECPI has ongoing relationships with employers such as Microbotics, Zel Technologies, Ball Corporation, and more.

The school uses the feedback provided by employers to make its curriculum relevant.

ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The school offers training in the following fields at its Newport News website:

• Information Technology
• Engineering Technology
• Health Sciences
• Advanced Clinical
• Nursing
• Business Administration
• Organizational Leadership
• Criminal Justice

Tuition is between less than $5,000 and $11,000, depending on the program you choose.

For example, the Dental Assistant program costs $7,848 in total, while the BS to BSN program costs between $250-$444 per credit hour.

Courses Offered

There are many courses included in the school’s catalog- which prepare you for careers in:

• Accounting
• Business Management
• Project Management
• Practical Nursing
• Dental Assisting
• Medical Assisting
• Sonography
• Cloud Computing
• Data Analytics
• Electronics Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Electronic Systems Engineering Technology
• And many more

Contact Information

• Address: 
  • 1001 Omni Boulevard #200, Newport News, Virginia, 23606 (For Nursing/Health Science Programs)
  • 1001 Omni Boulevard #100, Newport News, Virginia, 23606 (For Technology Programs)
• Phone: 
  • 844.611.0631 (for Health Science Programs)
  • 844.611.0618 (for Technology Programs)
• Website: https://www.ecpi.edu