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

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Wilmington and the Cape Fear region. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and NC licensing steps[^1].

Top Trade Schools in Wilmington

School Program Length Highlights
Cape Fear Community College Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Marine Tech; evening options[^2].
IBEW Local 495 (regional) – JATC 3–5 years Registered electrical apprenticeship; paid OJT + classroom instruction.
UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 421 (regional) – Training ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR.

Licensing: Electrical contractors (NC Board of Examiners), HVAC/Plumbing (NC Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors); EPA 608 required[^6].

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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.