Best Trade Schools in North Carolina

Edgecombe Community College opened in 1967 as an extension unit of the Wilson County Technical Institute. Today, the college enrolls close to 4,000 credit-seeking students with an additional 4,700 in continuing education classes. Students can pursue an associate, certificate, or diploma program in diverse areas of study including dental hygiene, early childhood education, hunting and shooting sports management, and electrical systems technology.

The Student Success Center provides subject-specific tutoring, test and placement services, disability resources, and academic, career, and personal counseling. The college connects students with other supportive resources within the community through the Single Stop program. Trained intake personnel help students access government benefits Medicaid, Food Stamps, legal referrals, and child care assistance.

Edgecombe Community College offers apprenticeship courses approved by the Department of Commerce. The college continues to work with area businesses and trade organizations to increase their apprenticeship offerings.

A charter member of the North Carolina Community College System, Durham Tech opened in 1961 as the Durham Industrial Education Center. The college currently enrolls over 18,000 students across seven campuses. The school offers more than 100 associate and certificate programs. Students seeking immediate employment or university transfer can explore programs like industrial systems technology, hospitality management, computer-integrated machining, and medical assisting.

Durham Tech maintains support resources for veterans, students with disabilities, and single parent enrollees. Additionally, the college offers an emergency financial assistance program for students facing unforeseen financial emergencies.

Durham Tech recently partnered with local companies and Durham public schools to inaugurate a program designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled trade workers. Durham Tech plans to offer a new HVAC apprenticeship opportunity under the program.

Since opening in 1958 with only 43 enrollees, GTCC has grown to serve a student population of approximately 35,000 each year. The college offers over 80 associate, diploma, and certificate programs. Areas of study include aviation systems technology, accounting and finance, basic law enforcement training, and emergency medical science. GTCC also offers non-credit adult and basic education classes, career development courses, and other community-based educational opportunities.

The Center for Academic Engagement at GTCC offers tutoring services, college success classes, and academic writing assistance. Students can also avail of career exploration and planning, disability resources, and academic and personal counseling. Trained transfer counselors guide students throughout the transfer process to make sure students stay on track toward continuing their education at a four-year institution.

GTCC participates in GAP Apprenticeships, a program that funds apprenticeship programs in several community colleges in the region. Students can apply for apprenticeships in cybersecurity, logistics, robotics, HVAC, and computer-aided design, to name just a few currently available programs.

Chartered in 1963, Gaston College admitted 445 students during its initial year of operation. Today, annual enrollment approaches 10,000 students and offers over 170 programs of study. Students can earn an associate, diploma, or certificate in diverse disciplines, including business administration, electronics engineering technology, emergency management, and computer-integrated machining. The college also offers workforce and occupational training programs, adult and continuing education classes, and other community-based learning opportunities.

Gaston College maintains articulation agreements with several schools to facilitate the transfer of its graduates to four-year institutions. Associate degrees for transfer include programs in health and fitness science (Lenoir-Rhyne University), global logistics and distribution management (Gardner-Webb University), and emergency medical science (Western Carolina University).

Gaston College offers several apprenticeships including industrial maintenance mechanics, machine set-up operations, and mechatronics technology. Apprentices receive free tuition, an industry-level salary, and benefits.

Wake Tech began as the Wake County Industrial Education Center in 1958, offering a few short courses and holding classes in various community sites. Today, the college comprises six campuses and enrolls more than 21,000 students at its main campus in Raleigh. Wake Tech offers over 200 associate, diploma, and certificate programs in fields like biopharmaceutical technology, construction equipment systems, business analytics, and data science and programming support services. The college also offers non-credit community-based programs, adult education and ESL classes, and customized corporate training.

Wake Tech currently offers five apprenticeship programs through WakeWorks: carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and pipefitting, and welding. The college plans to add apprenticeships in apartment maintenance, automotive technology, building and code inspection, EMT/Paramedic, and tower technology. Apprentices receive a salary from their employer, and the program pays for tuition, fees, books, and other supplies.

Opened in 1963 as an industrial education center, Davidson County Community College currently serves over 3,600 students annually. DCCC offers 45 associate and certificate programs in diverse fields including accounting and finance, electronics engineering, supply chain management, and medical assisting. The college is one of only a handful of community colleges in the country offering programs in aquarium science and zoological science technology.

The Learning Commons at DCCC provides tutoring, testing, and placement services. It regularly conducts workshops designed to help students improve their study, research, and writing skills. At the Career Development Office, students consult with trained counselors for assistance with course and major selection, career exploration, and internship opportunities.

DCCC currently offers electrical and plumbing apprenticeships. The college participates in the Apprenticeship Consortia, giving them access to additional funding to improve and expand their apprenticeship programs.

Johnston Community College opened in 1969 and currently enrolls over 13,000 students in its degree, technical, and non-credit continuing education programs. Students can pursue an associate or occupational credential in several areas of study, including cardiovascular sonography, diesel and heavy equipment technology, commercial building automation, and manual machining.

The Student Success Center offers a variety of support services, including individual and group tutoring, course selection, transfer advisement, and assistive resources for students with disabilities. Students can also receive career exploration and job search assistance, testing and placement services, and academic and personal counseling.

JCC administers the Johnston County Apprenticeship Program, connecting industries in the area with students seeking hands-on training. The college has partnerships in place for applied engineering and electrical students to begin as apprentices in local companies. JCC continues to work with area businesses to offer additional apprenticeship opportunities in the future.

Established in 1970 with an initial enrollment of 266, Piedmont Community College began as the Person County Technical Institute. PCC currently enrolls just over 1,200 students and offers associate degrees and occupational credentials in more than 80 fields. The college groups its educational offerings into five categories: business studies and emerging technologies, public safety and human services, health and natural science, university transfer and general education, and technical and manufacturing programs.

The Learning Commons at PCC provides tutoring and testing services, meeting rooms, and technical assistance. The college also maintains several resources for students with special needs.

PCC participates in the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). The program facilitates the transfer of community college graduates to four-year public institutions throughout the state. PCC also maintains articulation agreements with several other private colleges and universities.

South Piedmont resulted from the 1999 consolidation of Anson Community College and Union Technical Education Center. The school currently admits over 10,000 students each year across two campuses. Students can enroll in associate and certificate programs in diverse fields, including arts and digital media, culinary and food service management, manufacturing, and human services.

The college maintains articulation agreements with several four-year public and private institutions, facilitating the transfer of South Piedmont graduates to senior colleges and universities.

South Piedmont partners with area industries and local businesses to create apprenticeship programs for their employees and the college's students. South Piedmont currently offers apprenticeships for industrial maintenance technicians, machinists, electricians, quality associates, and process technicians. Students who complete the program earn an associate degree or occupational certificate from South Piedmont. They also receive an industry-recognized journeyman certificate.

Central Piedmont opened in 1963 with 12 programs and 1,600 enrollees. Today, the college comprises six campuses, offers over 300 programs, and enrolls approximately 56,000 students annually, making it one of the largest colleges in the Tar Heel State. Students can pursue an associate degree for transfer or occupational credential in various fields of study, including biomedical equipment technology, hospitality management, basic law enforcement training, and medical assisting.

Student support services include transfer and job search assistance, as well as academic and career counseling. Central Piedmont maintains an emergency food pantry for students facing food insecurity issues. The college also provides opportunities for students and faculty to participate in service-oriented activities within the community.

By partnering with local industries and businesses, Central Piedmont provides students with a variety of work-based learning opportunities such as apprenticeships, cooperative education, and internships.

Mitchell Community College originally began as a Presbyterian school for women in 1852. Today, the college offers associate and certificate programs across 14 fields of study and enrolls just over 3,100 students. Learners can explore transfer degrees and occupational credentials in diverse fields, including mechatronics engineering technology, sustainable farming methods, turf and landscape management, and embedded microprocessor design.

Students can also take advantage of support services, including tutoring sessions, academic and career counseling, technical assistance, and accessibility resources for students with learning or physical disabilities.

Mitchell recently launched Apprenticeship Iredell, a program meant for hands-on training in the mechatronics field from a longstanding community partner in the industry. Students who complete the program earn an associate degree in addition to a journey worker credential recognized by the state and throughout the country.

Founded in 1959, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College enrolls close to 7,000 students and offers more than 120 certificate, degree, and diploma programs. Students can choose a program from several fields of study, including brewing, distillation, and fermentation; public safety administration; air conditioning, heating, and refrigerator technology; and golf course management.

The Academic Learning Center offers tutoring services and academic writing assistance. The Career Center assists with resume and cover letter writing, career exploration and planning, and job search. Transfer advisors work with students in course and major selection to ensure a seamless transition to a four-year institution. All member schools of the University of South Carolina System accept transfer credits from A-B Tech.

A-B Tech participates in a regional apprenticeship program with four other community colleges (Blue Ridge, Haywood, Isothermal, and Southwestern). The college coordinates with local industries and businesses to provide workplace internships, pre-apprenticeships, and cooperative education opportunities for students.

Cape Fear Community College opened in 1958 and currently admits over 8,600 credit-seeking students per year. CFCC offers over 135 associate and certificate programs across five academic departments: business technologies, engineering technology, marine technology, public service, and vocational. The college also offers non-credit continuing education classes, academic and career readiness courses, business and industry services, and other community-based programs.

The Learning Lab at CFCC provides tutorial assistance, basic study, research, academic writing skills workshops, and supplemental instruction in a group setting. Other student support services include academic and personal counseling, career exploration and planning, testing and placement services, and assistive and accommodation resources for students with learning or physical disabilities.

CFCC currently offers four apprenticeship programs: electrical, electrical line worker, fire alarm systems training, and plumbing and pipefitting. The Continuing Education Department coordinates apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs, including internships, job shadowing, and cooperative education.

Lenoir Community College enrolled approximately 80 students during its initial year in 1958. Today, the college serves over 3,500 credit-seeking students and more than 9,400 non-credit enrollees. LCC offers 170 associate, diploma, and certificate programs across eight fields of study. Students choose from programs like aviation management and career pilot technology, dental hygiene, auto electronics, and global logistics.

Student services at LCC include academic writing assistance, course and major selection, individual and group tutoring, and assistive resources for students with learning or physical disabilities. The college further supports students by providing academic, personal, and crisis counseling, career exploration and planning, and transfer assistance.

LCC offers scholarship programs for students enrolled in a workforce development and continuing education program. Additionally, students who have completed at least nine semester hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA can earn college credits for working in jobs related to their program of study.

Chartered in 1963, Sandhills Community College was the first school in the North Carolina Community College System to offer a college transfer program. The college enrolls just over 4,000 credit-seeking students and offers more than 100 programs across six academic departments. Students can pursue an associate degree or occupational credential in diverse professional arenas such as architectural technology, business administration, health and fitness science, and baking and pastry arts.

Students support services include tutoring, academic advisement, writing and research assistance, and personal counseling. Students can also receive assistance with resume writing, job search and interviews, and career planning. The college supports students with disabilities by providing sign language interpreters, books on tape, testing accommodations, and note-takers.

Sandhills Community College offers work-based learning opportunities through the Workforce Continuing Education program. Work-based learning opportunities include internships, practicums, pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships.