Best Trade Schools in Greensboro, North Carolina (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Greensboro. This guide lists accredited training, apprenticeships, and North Carolina licensing steps. The Triad region continues to hire electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers across construction and advanced manufacturing1.

Top Trade Schools in Greensboro

These accredited options serve Greensboro and the Triad. Program lengths are typical ranges; verify accreditation, offerings, and start dates23.

School Program Length Highlights
Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) – Jamestown/Greensboro Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical Systems, Industrial Maintenance, and Automotive. Multiple campuses; evening options2.
Forsyth Technical Community College (Winston-Salem, regional) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC, Electrical, and Manufacturing programs. Short-term workforce certificates for fast entry2.
IBEW Local 342 – Electrical JATC (Triad) 3–5 years Registered apprenticeship for Inside Wireman/Residential. Paid OJT plus classroom instruction; regional contractor network.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Ongoing residential and commercial projects support hiring. Apprenticeships plus classroom hours lead to journeyperson and contractor roles1.
  • HVAC/R: Four-season service with demand in residential and light commercial. EPA 608 certification is required for refrigerants4.
  • Welding: Fabrication and maintenance roles across the Triad. NCCER/AWS credentials help with entry and advancement5.
  • Plumbing: New construction and service. Apprenticeships and contractor licensing support long-term growth.

Licensing Requirements in North Carolina

  • Electrician: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors — choose classification (Residential, Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited), apply, pass exam, and maintain CE.
  • HVAC/Conditioned Air & Refrigeration: NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors (for heating/air) and NC State Board of Refrigeration Examiners (for commercial refrigeration). EPA 608 required for refrigerants4.
  • Plumbing: NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors — verified experience, exam eligibility, license, and CE.
  • General Contractor: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors — required for projects at/above threshold; pass exam and meet financial responsibility.
  • Welding: No state license; employers often require NCCER or AWS performance credentials5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid programs with theory online and labs on campus.
  • Evening cohorts at community colleges and apprenticeship centers.
  • Short stackable credentials (OSHA-10/30, EPA 608) to boost employability fast.

Next Steps

  • Compare statewide programs: /trade-school/north-carolina/
  • Explore trade careers and credentials: /trades/
  • National guides and school hub: /trade-school/

Visit labs, confirm accreditation, and ask how each program maps to NC licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook (Electricians, HVAC, Plumbers, Welders). bls.gov/ooh ↩ ↩

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

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

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

  5. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). nccer.org ↩ ↩

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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.