10 Best Trade Schools inDelaware

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This page includes information about some of the top trade schools in Delaware.

Trade schools are an option for many people who want to receive job-specific training in a skilled trade.

Delaware trade schools offer training in various educational departments:

  • Massage Therapy
  • Medical Assisting
  • Esthetics
  • CDL Driving
  • and more

The list below also includes relevant information about each school, such as program duration, application requirements, fees, accreditation, etc.


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State FlagTrade Schools by City


1Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology

The Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology is training students who are committed to learning Cosmetology and its related areas of study.

The school’s campus in Dagsboro consists of over 13,000 square feet of professional learning space.

Course duration varies from 2.5 months to 13 months, depending on the program.

The school is monitoring and upgrading the curriculum constantly according to industry standards.

Enrollment. Applicants must be a high school graduate with a graduated transcript and/or GED certificate.

Prospective students must complete a student admission profile and schedule an interview with an Admissions Representative

Fees. Tuition fees vary between $4,300 and $20,600, depending on the program. Federal financial assistance programs are also available to qualifying students.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Teacher Training
  • Manicuring
  • Advanced  Education

Contact information:


2Smith & Solomon

Smith & Solomon is one of the largest commercial driver training schools in the country, maintaining a fleet of 140 pieces of equipment.

The school has been in the truck driver training industry for over three decades and has produced over 50,000 graduates, all of whom have passed strict certifications with success and are on the road today.

Smith & Solomon also assists graduates in getting a job.

The school is in constant contact with recruiters from major trucking companies updating job lists on a weekly basis and inviting recruiters to their locations regularly.

Smith & Solomon offers flexible schedules and reliable driver training programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to become excellent drivers.

Enrollment. To qualify for CDL, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Prospective students must possess a valid driver’s license in their state of residence. Applicants must pass a DOT drug test and physical examination.

Fees vary depending on the program.

Courses offered:

  • CDL A Training Tractor Trailer Training
  • CDL B: Straight Truck Training
  • CDL B: With Passenger Endorsement
  • Forklift Operator
  • Refresher Courses

Contact information:

  • The school headquarters are located at 1701 Lower Rd. Linden, NJ 07036
  • Phone: 800-622-0355
  • Website: https://smithsolomon.com

3The Academy of Massage and Bodywork

The Academy of Massage and Bodywork prepares future massage therapists and aestheticians.

The Academy of Massage and Bodywork is approved by the Delaware Department of Education.

The school is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

The Academy is a Member of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

The school provides individual attention and instruction to each student.

Students also learn basic business practices that will help them develop and sustain a Massage Therapy or Aesthetician practice.

In order to accommodate the schedules of its students, the Academy offers both day and night classes.

Enrollment. Prospective students must be at least 18 years of age. Candidates must submit a copy of their high school diploma, GED certificate of the transcript, along with a copy of a valid driver’s license or another form of identification.

Fees. The application fee is $25. Tuition fee is $10,500 for the 600 hours programs.

Courses offered:

  • Massage Therapist (600 hours)
  • Medical SPA Aesthetician (600 hours)
  • Massage Technician (300 hours)

Contact information:


4Delaware Skills Center

The Delaware Skills Center is an adult vocational-technical training center which prepares future skilled workers in various industries.

The school trains students for their future careers through intensive classes consistent with current educational practices and industry standards.

The Delaware Center is a Division of the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District.

Classes are taught by skilled and certified professionals in their craft.

Enrollment requirements depend on the program. For most programs, prospective students must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid Delaware Driver’s License and a high school diploma or equivalency.

Fees. Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening fees are between $140 and $180, depending on the program.

For the Practical Nursing program, there is an additional $500 fee for materials, background check, drug screening, uniforms, license fee, and exam fee.

Courses offered:

  • Computer Help Desk Support, Networking, and Mobile Device Support (675 hours)
  • Electrical Trades (420 hours)
  • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (420 hours)
  • Multi-Craft Industrial Trades Lattice
  • Practical Nursing
  • Welding & Fabrication (630 hours)

Contact information:


5Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design

Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design offers training and hands-on experience for individuals who want to build a career in the beauty industry.

Future cosmetologists and barbers learn in a student salon designed to replicate the look and feel of a salon while maintaining an educational focus.

The programs prepare individuals for completion of the State of Delaware licensing examination and for employment in cosmetology arts and sciences careers and related fields.

The school is certified by the Delaware Department of Education and licensed by the State of Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.

Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

The school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools.

Enrollment. All applicants must possess a High School Diploma or a recognized equivalent and must be 16 years of age or over.

Fees. Training fees are between $3,194 and $16,300, depending on the program.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Barbering
  • Nail Technology
  • Teacher Training

Contact information:


6American Driver Training Academy

American Driver Training Academy is a school run by trucking industry professionals with a passion for producing the best drivers.

The school was founded in 2002 with the goal of creating safe truck drivers.

American Driver Training Academy is a thriving family-owned business that treats students like family throughout their training and career.

The school offers full-time CDL-A program with classroom and behind-the-wheel training.

The school has a 5 to 1 student-to-truck ratio for superior instruction and drive time.

Students have access to behind-the-wheel training since day one. Students will have 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training by the time they graduate.

At American Driver Training Academy students can finish your CDL-A training in four weeks.

The full-time program provides 160 hours of training.

The school also offers part-time options for students who want to keep their “day job” while training for their CDL-A.

Students can take the CDL-A test in one of the tractor-trailers they were trained in accompanied by their personal instructor.

American Driver Training Academy makes the process of obtaining a TWIC identification card easier for its students.

The Academy is the only on-site enrollment processing center in the state of Delaware.

Individuals meeting eligibility requirements are issued a tamper-resistant TWIC card containing a fingerprint template that positively links the card to an individual.

TWIC is an identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Safety Act regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials.

Contact information:


7POLYTECH Adult Education

Polytech Adult Education is a division of POLYTECH School District.

Polytech Adult Education offers a variety of workforce programs for students at various levels and in different industries.

The school also offers the ELiNC program which prepares adult English language learners (ELLs) for employment in growing job fields such as healthcare, construction, mechanical trades, and technology.

Enrollment. Prospective students can register online, by phone or in person.

Fees. Tuition fees vary depending on the program and duration.

The tuition fee for the 11-month Practical Nursing program is $12,499 while tuition for the 80-hour Direct Care Worker program is $599.

Registration fees also vary depending on the program. Payment plans are available for most programs.

Courses offered:

POLYTECH offers a variety of courses, such as:

  • Frontline Management Classes
  • Cisco Academy IT Professional Program
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Insurance Billing
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • AAPC Certified Professional Coder
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Direct Care Worker (ELL)
  • Practical Nursing
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Construction Classes
  • Electro-Mechanical Technician
  • Maintenance Mechanics

Contact information:


8Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty

Founded in 1981, Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty is one of the first hair schools in Delaware.

The school offers both Cosmetology and Master Barbering programs, preparing students for a career as licensed professionals. Classes are taught by experienced, licensed educators.

At the Hair Academy, students learn theory, practical exercises, business concepts, license law, and much more. After graduation, they have all the knowledge needed to pass the state licensure exam.

The Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty is accredited by National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences.

Enrollment. All applicants must at least 16 years of age. They must be U.S. Citizens and possess a valid High School Diploma or a recognized equivalent.

Prospective students are encouraged to fill out their initial application at least one month prior to their preferred program start date.

Fees. Tuition is $13,450. Textbooks and supplies cost an additional $1,545 to $1,843, depending on the program.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology Program
  • Master Barbering Program

Contact information:


9Harris School of Business

The Harris School of Business has a long history of providing career training to adults in the field of allied health.

Students are trained using real-world technologies that are used in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and corporations.

The Cherry Hill, NJ, Danbury, CT, Linwood, NJ, Upper Darby, PA, and Wilmington, DE campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training to award diplomas.

The Dover, DE, and Voorhees, NJ campuses are accredited by The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Enrollment. Admission requirements vary depending on the program.

During an initial interview, admission representatives will work with students to determine what program best fits their skills.

Fees. Tuition fees are between $12,870 and $30,220, depending on the program.

Federal financial aid programs and in-house financing plans are also available to those who qualify.

Courses offered:

The following courses are offered at the Dover and Wilmington campuses:

  • Dental Assistant
  • Health Claims Specialist
  • Massage Therapy
  • Professional Medical Assistant
  • Surgical Technology

Contact information:

  • The Dover Campus is located at 97 Commerce Way, Suite 105, Dover, DE 19904
  • Phone: (302) 674-8060
  • The Wilmington Campus is located at, 1413 Foulk Road, Suite 100
    Foulkstone Plaza, Wilmington, DE 19803
  • Phone: (302) 478-8890
  • Website: https://www.harrisschool.edu

10Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Technical Community College offers a wide variety of credit programs of study – including bachelor’s degree programs, associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

Certificates and Diplomas programs prepare students for specific employment opportunities.

Delaware Technical Community College is an open admission institution that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Fees. In-state tuition and fees are between $2,395 and $11,422, depending on the program. Books and supplies are not included in the costs.

Out-of-state tuition and fees can go up to $22,113, depending on the program.

Courses offered:

The College’s Dover and Wilmington campuses are offering the following Certificates and Diplomas programs:

  • Entrepreneurship Certificate – Dover and Wilmington
  • Paralegal Certificate – Dover and Wilmington
  • Baking and Pastry Skills Certificate – Dover
  • Early Childhood Studies – Dover and Wilmington
  • Instruction, Design and Technology Certificate – Dover and Wilmington
  • Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Certificate – Dover
  • Medical Coding Studies – Wilmington
  • Practical Nursing Studies – Dover
  • Correctional Officer Certificate – Dover
  • Direct Support Professional Certificate – Dover and Wilmington
  • Drug Alcohol Counseling Certificate – Dover and Wilmington

Contact information:

  • The Dover campus is located at 300 N Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Phone: (302) 857-1000
  • The Wilmington campus is located at 300 N. Orange St. in downtown Wilmington.
  • Phone : (302) 571-5300
  • Website: https://www.dtcc.edu

Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants1,760$68,340$32.86$99,100$41,350
Medical Records Specialists440$47,380$22.78$65,440$31,090
Nursing Assistants4,310$36,670$17.63$42,650$31,120
Dental Assistants900$52,500$25.24$59,270$30,830
Medical Assistants2,830$38,110$18.32$45,250$29,900
Phlebotomists360$44,220$21.26$54,140$36,320
Electricians2,120$60,040$28.86$94,860$36,240
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1,410$61,510$29.57$96,480$32,080
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,880$49,590$23.84$71,680$29,570
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1,430$56,920$27.37$76,980$37,840
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Delaware, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

The information included in this list is meant to help individuals who want to build a career in a skilled trade.

Deciding what profession you want to pursue is only the first step.

Choosing the right school is another important decision that you will have to make.

There are many factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing the right trade school: course duration, cost, completion rate, accreditation, etc.

So, don’t forget to do your research before choosing the trade school that will prepare you for your future career.