Trade SchoolsFrom cosmetology to medical assisting to welding, Manchester trade schools can prepare you for rewarding careers in a wide range of in-demand industries.
Most programs can be completed in less than two years and focus on preparing students with the skills needed for entry-level employment in their field of choice.
To help you choose the format and the program that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about the best trade schools in Manchester.
If you’d like to start a new career, advance at your current job, or simply learn new skills, the schools included in our list can help make your dream come true.
We encourage you to use the information on this page as a starting point in your research.
1New Hampshire CPR
About the School
New Hampshire CPR provides safety training classes and training programs for those who want to start careers in the field of emergency services.
Courses Offered
New Hampshire CPR offers the following courses:
- American Heart Association: Online Course Skills Session, Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and more
- EMT: Initial training, Advanced Training, EMS CEUS- NEAMT Courses, Refreshers
- Nursing Education: Emergency Nurses Pediatric Course and Trauma Nursing Core Course are available
- And more
The EMT Initial Training course includes approximately 180 hours of training and combines online with in-class lab time.
The school also includes 16 hours of clinical training at a hospital and/or ambulance.
The core education includes CPR, anatomy and physiology, patient assessment, care of medical and traumatic emergencies, incident command, and many other topics.
Students must be at least 18 years old upon program completion and be high school graduates or have their GED.
This program costs approximately $1,700.
Contact Information
- Address: 9 Cedarwood Dr, Unit 12, Bedford NH 03110-6801
- Phone: 603-668-5360
- Website: https://www.nhcpr.com
2Manchester Community College
About the School
Manchester Community College offers training programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of in-demand industries.
Students can choose from more than 60 degree and certificate programs.
Many transfer options are available.
The college enrolls new students, transfer students, single-course students, and veteran students.
Courses Offered
The following Degree programs are available:
- English- A.A.
- Interior Design- Associate in Applied Science degree
- Accounting A.S.
- Facilities Management
- Health Fitness Professional, A.S.
- Health Science, A.S.
- Nursing, A.S.
- Automotive Technology, A.A.S.
- Welding Technology, A.A.S.
- And more
A variety of certificate paths are also available, including:
- Graphic Design
- Graphic Illustration
- Accounting Small Business Management
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Coding Professional
- Electrical Lineworker
- HVAC
- And many more
Program duration depends upon the credential it leads to.
For example, the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Degree program includes 67 credits and can be completed in two years, while the 20-credit Advanced HVAC Certificate can be completed in one year.
Contact Information
- Address: 70 Market Street, Manchester, NH 03101
- Phone: 603-647-2174
- Website: https://www.mccnh.edu
3LNA Health Careers
About the School
LNA Health Careers prepares students for careers as Licensed Nursing Assistants in just a few weeks.
The program includes 110 hours of theory and clinical training.
LNA classes are available in person as well as in a blended format.
An LPN Training program is also available at the school and incorporates classroom learning and simulated clinical activities that take place in the school’s lab.
Students also receive robust clinical experience to prepare them for successfully entering the healthcare workforce.
Students who want to stack four industry certifications (namely LNA, EKG, PHL, and BLS into a single program) can enroll in an intensive six-week Patient Care Bundle program.
The school’s catalog also includes a Phlebotomy & Phlebotomy Refresher program that includes 90 hours of training and prepares students with the skills needed when drawing blood.
The Medical Nursing Assistant program available at LNA Health Careers includes 60 hours of training and requires two years’ worth of full-time LNA work in the last five years as well as two character references from past or current employers before admission.
Contact Information
- Address: 70 Market Street, Manchester, NH 03101
- Phone: 603-647-2174
- Website: https://lnahealthcareers.com
4NH School of Mechanical Trades
About the School
NH School of Mechanical Trades helps students build a hands-on future by providing hands-on training for students who want to apply for heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical jobs.
Licensing requirements courses are also available, as well as exam prep and continuing education seminars.
The school has campuses at two locations: Manchester and Hampton.
Students may enter the training courses with no experience in the trade.
Some licensing courses require the completion of prerequisite courses or licensing requirements before enrollment.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the NH School of Mechanical Trades:
- OSHA 10
- Oil Heat Technician
- Air Conditioning Technician
- Gas License Code Combo
- Plumbing 101
- Plumbing Apprentice Courses
- Electrical 101
- Electrical Apprentice Courses
- Plumbing and Gas Exam Prep courses
- License Renewal
- Plumbing and Gas Exams
The curriculum and program duration varies depending on the trade and the program.
Tuition costs also vary.
The Air Conditioning Technician program and the Oil Heat Technician program cost $2,400 each, while the Combo program costs $4,400.
The Gas Piping Installer program costs $1,500, while the Gas Equipment Installer, and the Gas Service Technician program cost $1,000 each.
The Combo program is $3,200.
Each Gas State Exam fee is $100.
Contact Information
- Address: 7 Perimeter Rd, Mancehster NH 03103
- Phone: (603) 622-6544
- Website: https://nhtradeschool.com
5Manchester School of Technology
About the School
Opened in 1982 as Manchester Skill Center, Manchester School of Technology is one of the 22 regional Career and Technical Centers in the state of New Hampshire.
The center offers two- and three-year career and technical education programs available for sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Manchester, Bedford, Goffstown, Londonderry, and surrounding towns.
Students are graded on a 1-4 scale.
They begin at 1 (not yet proficient) and move towards proficiency throughout the year.
Courses Offered
The following programs of study are available for the 2023-2024 year at the Manchester Skill Center, Manchester School of Technology:
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Manufacturing
- Collision Repair/Refinishing
- Criminal Justice and Law
- Health Professions
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Manufacturing
- Residential Carpentry
- Residential Plumbing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Gerald Connors Circle, Manchester, NH 03103
- Phone: (603) 624-6490
- Website: https://mst.mansd.org
6American Academy of Health and Beauty
About the School
American Academy of Health and Beauty helps students make their first steps toward their dream careers in Esthetics, Massage Therapy, or Spa Nails.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Massage Therapy- a program that can be completed in 6.5 months by day students and in 9 months by students who attend the evening program
- Esthetics- a 600-hour program designed to qualify students for the New Hampshire Esthetic Licensing Exam and prepare them for a career in skincare
- Advanced Esthetics- a 900-hour program that prepares students who can perform more advanced techniques, such as Oxygen Facials, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Exfoliation, Lymphatic Drainage, UltraSonic/Dermasound, and Light Therapy Devices
- Spa Nails- a 300-hour program and a 450-hour advanced program are available
- Professional Workshops
The curriculum varies depending on the program.
The Esthetics program includes courses on:
- Personal Development
- Anatomy
- Electrical Equipment
- Chemistry
- Client Care
- Facials
- Makeup Techniques
- State Laws
- Body Treatments/ Spray Tanning
- Aromatherapy and Pressure Points
- Eyelash Extensions
- Advanced Skin Analysis
- Microdermabrasion
- And many other topics and skills
Contact Information
- Address: 981 Second St. Suite 4, Manchester, NH 03102
- Phone: 800-576-2457
- Website: https://myaahb.com
7Eptac
About the School
With 19 locations across North America, Eptac is an international leader in solder training and IPC Certification.
The school provides online courses and webinars, as well as on-site training.
Courses Offered
Some of the school’s most popular programs are:
- Visual Inspection
- Cable Wire Harness Assemblies
- Soldering
- PCB Design
Courses are available in the following categories: Aerospace Requirements, Bare Board Inspection, Cable Wire Harness Assemblies, Component Rework/Board Repair, Counterfeit Components, PCB Design, Soldering, and Visual Inspection
Students have access to the following Soldering classes: Hand Soldering Certification, Instructor, Specialist, Advanced Micro SMT Hand Soldering, Standard Expert, Hand Soldering Certification Recertification, Instructor Recertification, and Specialist Recertification.
The following Aerospace courses are also available at the school: Aerospace Instructor, Aerospace Specialist, Aero Instructor (Recertification), and Aero Specialist Recertification.
Contact Information
- Address: 8025 South Willow St, Unit 207, Manchester, NH 03103
- Phone: 800.643.7822
- Website: https://www.eptac.com
8North Eastern Institute of Whole Health
About the School
North Eastern Institute of Whole Health provides training programs for students who want to start rewarding careers as massage therapists.
The school provides a flexible mixture of online and on-campus courses to accommodate students’ schedules.
In-person classes take place only twice per week- in the morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or in the evening, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The school has 12,500 square feet of space and includes study classrooms as well as practical training rooms, workshop and lecture rooms, and a student break room.
The Institute also has a clinic where students gain practical experience in massage skills and in dealing with the general public.
The 750-hour Massage Therapy program can be completed in the morning or evening and leads to a Diploma in Massage Therapy.
The Institute and the program’s curriculum are approved by the State of New Hampshire Department of Education, Higher Education Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 22 Bridge Street, Manchester, NH 03101
- Phone: (603) 623-5018
- Website: https://neiwh.com
9National Personal Training Institute
About the School
The National Personal Training Institute prepares students for rewarding careers in the field of personal training.
The Institute provides a training program that leads to a diploma in personal training.
Hands-on and virtual classes are available to accommodate student’s schedules.
Courses Offered
The following diploma options are available at the National Personal Training Institute:
- 1,500-Hour Hybrid Personal Training Diploma Course
- 2,500-Hour Virtual Personal Training Diploma Course
The 1,500-hour program curriculum consists of 300 hours of theory and allows students to apply the theory at a local NationalPTI gym with 200 hours of practical experience.
The theory parts cover topics such as Anatomy & Physiology, Posture/Movement Analysis, Nutrition, Business Practices, Program Design, and more.
The 2,500-hour program requires that students go over the practice part in each class session after completing the lecture.
New classes start every six weeks.
Six- and 12-month schedules are available with day, evening, and weekend classes to accommodate the lifestyles of busy students.
Those who complete the program receive a State Licensed Personal Training Diploma that does not expire.
The institute also provides a Nutrition Certificate, lifetime job placement assistance, and after successfully completing the program, a NASM CPT and an Academic Hands-on Certificate of Distinction.
Contact Information
- Address: 8051 S Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103
- Phone: 800-960-6294
- Website: https://nationalpti.org/school/manchester-nh
10Advanced Trade School
About the School
Advanced Trade School provides training programs that prepare students for employment in the fields of fuel gas, HVAC, plumbing, and welding.
The programs are approved in the states of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.
Fuel gas licensing courses include gas piping, equipment installation, and gas equipment servicing.
Welding camps for kids are available, as well as introductory courses, and MIG and TIG welding courses.
Program duration and costs vary.
Courses Offered
The welding programs available at the school are:
- Intro to Welding
- Intro to Fabrication
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- GTAW (TIG) Welding Class
Each program includes 20 hours of training.
Tuition for the Intro to Welding night program is $699.
The training program in GTAW (TIG) Welding costs $799.
The Advanced SMAW (stick) Welding program costs $649.
Contact Information
- Address: 335 Route 125, Unit 1C, Brentwood, NH 03833
- Phone: 603-785-2491
- Website: https://www.advancedtradeschool.com
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
| Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 380 | $58,270 | $28.02 | $85,350 | $33,280 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 200 | $48,920 | $23.52 | $64,270 | $32,330 |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,310 | $38,270 | $18.4 | $45,850 | $31,720 |
| Dental Assistants | 230 | $50,410 | $24.23 | $58,430 | $39,250 |
| Medical Assistants | 540 | $42,420 | $20.4 | $49,080 | $36,750 |
| Phlebotomists | 170 | $41,070 | $19.74 | $46,620 | $31,960 |
| Electricians | 690 | $59,060 | $28.4 | $78,310 | $37,370 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 570 | $58,900 | $28.32 | $78,020 | $37,590 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 570 | $52,710 | $25.34 | $73,920 | $34,920 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 410 | $61,250 | $29.45 | $81,420 | $38,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’d like to start a rewarding career but you cannot afford to spend four years in higher education, the trade schools included in our list provide a variety of less expensive and faster educational alternatives.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue with your own research and gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you before deciding where to enroll.
Trade Schools by City in New Hampshire
