Best Trade Schools in New Orleans, Louisiana (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in New Orleans. This page highlights accredited options, quick program timelines, and how to get licensed in Louisiana. You will also see which skilled trades pay well and are hiring across the New Orleans metro, based on federal data1.

Top Trade Schools in New Orleans

Below are accredited schools within the New Orleans–Metairie area. Program lengths are typical; check each catalog for details. Accreditation sources: U.S. Department of Education and recognized accrediting bodies23.

School Program Length Highlights
Delgado Community College (New Orleans, West Bank, Jefferson) 6–24 months (certificates); ~2 years (AAS) SACSCOC accredited. HVAC-R, Electrician, Welding, Carpentry, Maritime & industrial safety, Medical assistant. Modern labs; maritime training center in Metairie2.
Nunez Community College (Chalmette) 1–2 semesters (CTS/CTC); ~2 years (AAS) SACSCOC accredited. Process Technology (PTEC), Industrial Maintenance, Welding, Electrical, HVAC. Strong industry partnerships along the Gulf Coast2.
Blue Cliff College – Metairie ~9–15 months (diplomas); longer for AOS ACCSC accredited. Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy. Day/evening schedules; career services3.
Northshore Technical Community College (Slidell/Lacombe) 1–4 semesters (certificates); ~2 years (AAS) SACSCOC accredited. Electrician, Welding, HVAC, Drafting, Practical Nursing. Multiple Northshore sites serving the metro2.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – New Orleans ~12–13 months (Cosmetology) NACCAS accredited. Cosmetology training aligned to Louisiana licensure; guest artists and salon clinic experience2.
Unitech Training Academy – Metairie ~9–12 months (diplomas) COE accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, EKG/Phlebotomy. Small classes with externships2.
River Parishes Community College – Reserve 1–4 semesters (certificates); ~2 years (AAS) SACSCOC accredited. PTEC, Industrial Maintenance, Welding, Nondestructive Testing. Serves petrochemical corridor west of New Orleans2.

Tip: Also look at registered apprenticeships in the area for paid training, such as IBEW Local 130 (electrician) and ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter (multiple crafts). Apprenticeships combine classroom learning and on‑the‑job hours, and help you meet licensing requirements.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Construction, shipbuilding, and plant maintenance create steady demand around the port and petrochemical corridor. Electricians earn solid wages with overtime and project premiums1. Apprenticeships typically take 4–5 years and lead to journeyman status.

HVAC/R Technician

  • Hot, humid summers and year‑round service work keep HVAC techs busy in homes, hospitals, hotels, and commercial buildings. EPA Section 608 is required if you handle refrigerants4. Contractors report strong hiring for techs who can troubleshoot and communicate with customers1.

Welder

  • Fabrication shops, shipyards, and maintenance turnarounds need welders who can pass D1.1 or ASME performance tests. Adding NCCER credentials and TWIC can open doors on industrial and port projects1.

Plumber

  • Residential service, new construction, and healthcare facilities drive steady work. In Louisiana, plumbers move from apprentice to journeyman to master by meeting state experience and exam requirements5. Medical gas endorsements can boost pay in hospital settings.

Overall, skilled trades offer hands‑on work, short training timelines, and competitive pay in the New Orleans–Metairie metro1.

Licensing Requirements in Louisiana

Use these steps to plan your path. Always confirm current rules before you test or apply.

Electrician (statewide contractor; local journeyman/master)

  • There is no single statewide journeyman license. Many parishes and cities (including New Orleans) issue journeyman/master credentials and require exams to pull permits locally. Check the City of New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits for local requirements.
  • Electrical Contractors are licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) when project thresholds trigger state licensing. Steps: document experience, pass trade and business exams, provide financials/insurance, and apply for the Electrical classification6.
  • Common path: complete an apprenticeship (typically 8,000 OJT hours plus classroom), pass a journeyman exam locally, then qualify as a master/contractor.

HVAC/R (technicians and contractors)

  • Technicians: Louisiana does not issue a standalone state HVAC technician license. You must have EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants4. Many jurisdictions require registration or a local occupational license.
  • Contractors: Mechanical/HVAC contractors are licensed by LSLBC when work meets state thresholds. Steps: verify experience, pass exams for Mechanical classifications (e.g., Air Conditioning, Refrigeration), secure insurance and apply6.

Plumber

  • Governed by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA). Steps: register as an apprentice, complete required on‑the‑job experience (typically 5 years) and related instruction, pass the Journeyman Plumber exam; after experience as a journeyman, apply for the Master Plumber exam5.
  • Additional endorsements (e.g., Medical Gas) require approved training and exams.

Welding

  • No state welding license. Employers and owners accept performance qualifications to codes/standards (AWS, ASME). Many local programs offer AWS D1.1 testing; NCCER credentials are widely recognized by contractors and owners.

Cosmetology (common in New Orleans)

  • Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology sets requirements. Typical steps: complete 1,500 hours in an approved program, pass theory/practical exams, and apply for licensure in Louisiana.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges like Delgado, Nunez, Northshore, and River Parishes offer evening or hybrid schedules in many programs. Lecture and safety modules may be online, while labs and performance tests are in person.
  • Healthcare and office‑based programs at Blue Cliff and Unitech often include blended delivery with short externships.
  • EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, and NCCER Core can be prepared online and tested in person through approved providers4.

If you work full‑time, ask about:

  • Night and weekend cohorts
  • Accelerated “mini‑mesters”
  • Credit for prior learning or NCCER credentials
  • Apprenticeship or co‑op placements that count as lab hours

Next Steps

  • Compare programs and request info from 2–3 schools above. Tour the labs and ask about certifications, placement rates, schedules, and employer partners2.
  • Review Louisiana licensing steps before you enroll so your coursework aligns with exam requirements.

Plan your path:

New Orleans has strong demand for hands‑on talent and multiple accredited schools to get you job‑ready fast. Pick a program, confirm the license path, and get started.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook, latest available (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – school profiles and accreditation (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), accredited school directory (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification for HVACR (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. State Plumbing Board of Louisiana – apprentice registration, journeyman and master licensing requirements (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩

  6. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) – contractor licensing classifications, exams, and thresholds (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.