Launch Your Skilled Trades Career at Northampton
At Northampton Community College (NCC), we’re proud to be a trusted source for industrial and trades training that meets the needs of a growing workforce. If you’re looking to start a new career or upskill for your current job, or if you’re an employer investing in your team, our high-impact programs keep pace with emerging technologies, industry standards, and industry demands.
Our customizable, hands-on training creates flexible pathways to reliable employment,
helps companies stay competitive, and empowers employees with the confidence they need to advance in their careers.
Explore NCC's Technical and Trades Classes
Why NCC’s Industrial Training and Skilled Trades Programs?
At Northampton, it’s never too late to gain new skills or strengthen the ones you already have. When you enroll in NCC’s technical, industrial, and trades programs, you’ll receive:- Support from knowledgeable instructors who are eager to share their real-world expertise
- Hands-on training to build relevant skills that help you excel in today’s work environments
- Flexible pathways that help you earn credentials quickly and accelerate your professional development
- Strong industry partnerships that create direct connections to prominent employers and open job opportunities
Are Trades Courses Right for You?
NCC is for everyone. Our technical, industrial, and trades training meets the needs of:- Recent high school graduates and young adults ready to begin a career in a high-demand field
- Individuals already working in the trades who want to upskill, refresh their expertise, or earn industry-recognized certifications
- Employers seeking customized training to strengthen their workforce
- Career changers wanting practical, fast-paced training options
- Community members interested in building technical confidence and job-ready skills
Explore Our Industrial Training Courses and Programs
Elevate your automotive career by adding a vehicle or emissions inspection certification to your qualifications. At NCC, we offer affordable and convenient training options that create direct pathways to earning your Pennsylvania license for Emission or Safety Inspection.
You can enroll in our Enhanced Emission Inspection course or build broader expertise through our 12-hour Pennsylvania Bureau of Motor Vehicles Inspection Mechanic class.
This training can prepare you for certification across three key vehicle categories:
- Passenger cars, light and medium trucks, and light trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy trucks and trailers, school buses, and mass transit vehicles
Whichever option you choose, Northampton helps you move forward with the credentials you need to strengthen your career readiness.
Every day, manufacturing firms face new technical challenges—and staying current with rapidly evolving technologies is essential. Ultimately, investing in people and their skills is what makes the difference. That’s why Northampton offers practical, hands-on electronics manufacturing training, along with customized in-plant programs designed to help employees and companies stay ahead of industry changes.
Our microelectronics courses deliver practical instruction to strengthen skills and build confidence. NCC’s three industry-recognized IPC certifications and custom training options include:
- IPC-A-610: Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies Certification
- IPC/WHMA-A-620: Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies Certification
- J-STD-001: Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies (often required for government-related work)
Our instructors, technical specialists, and curriculum writers are experienced professionals and bring real-world expertise and best practices directly into the classroom. They’ve crafted a curriculum that aligns with industry standards and is presented in an easy-to-follow sequence. You’ll participate in hands-on training in our two state-of-the-art teaching labs, so you can apply what you’ve learned and build your skill set.
Want to discover more? Contact us at technical@northampton.edu.
Ready to build in-demand skills and jump-start a career in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R)? NCC offers flexible technical training opportunities to support your goals.
Our HVAC/R courses combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice, equipping you with the confidence to install, maintain, and troubleshoot modern HVAC systems. Whether you’re interested in earning a short-term credential or a more comprehensive associate degree, you’ll find options that meet your experience level and career goals, including:
- HVAC/R Training Programs: Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or looking to upskill, you can pursue an associate in applied science, a certificate, or a specialized diploma in HVAC/R to build the competencies employers seek. We offer flexible part-time and full-time enrollment options, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits your schedule.
- HVAC/R EPA Refrigerant Usage: Created for HVAC technicians, this class reviews the EPA regulations governing ozone-depleting chemicals and the environmental and operational procedures required for the Refrigerant Usage certification exam. The HVAC/R EPA Refrigerant Usage class ends with the on-site certification test.
Ready to launch your career in a high-paying, in-demand field? NCC’s Lineworker Trainee Program equips you with the competencies and hands-on training necessary for entry-level positions in the electrical and telecommunications industries.
Our 12-week program includes 375 hours of training—most of which is spent outdoors practicing climbing and rigging and gaining pole work experience. As you progress through the program, you learn from skilled lineworkers and build a foundational understanding of basic electricity, grounding, transformers, safety practices, proper tool use, and more.
After completing our lineworker program, you’re prepared to apply for lineworker trainee positions at local electric and communication companies.
Jump start your truck driving career at Northampton Community College. We’ve partnered with 160 Driving Academy to offer a commercial driver’s license (CDL) truck driver training that combines classroom instruction with hands-on, behind-the-wheel experience. Our team provides personalized support to help you develop the skills and confidence necessary to pass your CDL exam and enter the workforce.
Throughout this 160-hour program, you’ll benefit from:
- Small class sizes and personalized instruction that make learning CDL rules and regulations straightforward and manageable.
- Real-world driving experience and behind-the-wheel training with professional guidance.
- One-on-one tutoring from our expert instructors, who work with you to ensure you’re test-ready.
- Growing career opportunities in a high-demand field that offers reliable employment and strong earning potential.
- Financial assistance from employer partners who may offer tuition reimbursement for qualified graduates.
With strong completion rates, dedicated instructors, and clear pathways into the workforce, NCC and 160 Driving Academy provide the comprehensive CDL training you need to move forward. Our training programs are available at both our Bethlehem or Pocono campuses.
Call us at 844-889-0160 to learn more.
At NCC, we believe industry development strengthens economic prosperity for individuals, companies, and entire communities. That’s why we offer short-term career readiness programs that equip job seekers with the skills and credentials necessary to launch a new vocation and help employers build a strong, well-prepared workforce. These grant-funded, entry-level programs provide training for high-demand positions and are free for those who qualify.
We develop our program curricula in collaboration with industry partners and utilize a proven training model that integrates online learning, hands-on instruction, classroom sessions, plant tours, and guest speakers who showcase real-world manufacturing careers. Plus, a dedicated success coach will help you overcome barriers and stay on track.
- Industrial Maintenance (11 Week Training/240 hours)
Prepare for entry-level Industrial Maintenance Technician roles or apprenticeship opportunities. This program integrates training in the foundations of mechanical fabrication, basic electricity and wiring, measurement devices, OSHA 10, introduction to PLCs, pneumatics/hydraulics, troubleshooting, and more. - Career Pathways to Manufacturing (8 Week Training/160 hours)
Discover in-demand, high-paying careers in modern manufacturing. In this program, you’ll participate in industry tours and receive foundational training to work in roles such as production technician, machine operator, and quality inspector. - Fundamentals of Precision Machining - Manufacturing PA Training to Career Grant (10 Week Training/280 hours)
Gain career-building skills and hands-on training to secure entry-level machining roles. This 10-week program covers safety, blueprint reading, shop math, measurement tools, manual machining, and an introduction to computer numerical control machining. You can also prepare for National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certifications to sharpen your competitive edge.
