Best Trade Schools in Newark, New Jersey (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
Disclaimer: This article is for education only, not professional advice. Always verify details with official sources. Some links, forms, or listings are sponsored or paid, which may affect their placement. We may earn from them. Read our full Disclaimer.

Here are the best schools in Newark. This guide compares accredited programs, shows the fastest paths to New Jersey licensure, and highlights in-demand trades across the New York–Newark metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Newark

The schools below are accredited or state-approved and within a practical commute of Newark. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current details with the school and College Navigator2.

School Program Length Highlights
Essex County College (Newark) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years MSCHE accredited. Workforce training and technical programs in allied health, building systems, and transportation; multiple campus resources2.
Lincoln Tech – Union (near Newark) 9–15 months ACCSC accredited3. HVAC and Electrical programs with EPA 608 prep, hands-on labs, and day/evening schedules.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Bloomfield 9–18 months ACCSC accredited3. Automotive and Diesel Technology with manufacturer-aligned training and career services.
Eastwick College – Hackensack (regional) 9–18 months Institutionally accredited; trades-related programs like Electrical and HVACR. Accelerated schedules and externships. Verify program availability2.
Hudson Technical – Adult & Continuing Education (Secaucus, regional) 6–12+ months State-approved adult programs with practical labs in trades and healthcare. Evening options for working adults.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: One of the largest employment hubs for electricians, serving residential, commercial, and transit projects. School programs and 4–5 year apprenticeships both lead to journeyperson skills and contractor pathways1.
  • HVAC/R: Energy efficiency upgrades, new construction, and service maintain demand. EPA 608 certification is required for refrigerants4.
  • Welding: Infrastructure, fabrication, and facility maintenance need welders with practical shop skills and performance-based qualifications. NCCER and AWS credentials help with entry and mobility5.
  • Plumbing: Code-driven upgrades and new builds keep plumbers busy. Registered apprenticeships prepare you to qualify for the master plumber exam6.

Licensing Requirements in New Jersey

  • Electrician: New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Complete an approved apprenticeship or equivalent education/experience, pass the state exam, and apply for licensure; business permit required to contract7.
  • HVACR: New Jersey Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors. Complete apprenticeship or combined education/experience, pass the state exam, hold EPA 608, and apply for Master HVACR Contractor license; business permit required to contract84.
  • Plumbing: New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. Complete apprenticeship, work as a journeyperson as required, pass the exam, and apply for licensure and business permit to contract6.
  • Welding: No state license. Employers and project owners require code-based performance qualifications; NCCER is common in construction5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid schedules: theory online, labs on campus.
  • Evening/weekend cohorts at many private career schools support working adults.
  • Certification prep: EPA 608, OSHA, and NEC code updates are commonly offered in flexible formats.

Next Steps

  • Compare statewide options: /trade-school/new-jersey/
  • Explore trade careers: /trades/
  • See national resources: /trade-school/

Shortlist two schools and an apprenticeship. Ask about start dates, lab hours, and how the program maps to New Jersey licensing and business permit requirements.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, New Jersey and New York–Newark–Jersey City metro. bls.gov/oes ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory. accsc.org/schools/directory/ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER Credentials and Certifications. nccer.org/credentialing/ ↩ ↩

  6. New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. njconsumeraffairs.gov/plu ↩ ↩

  7. New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec ↩

  8. New Jersey Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors. njconsumeraffairs.gov/hvacr ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.