Vocational Training Centers

Opening Career Paths in the Trade Industry

Communities grow stronger when people find success through meaningful work. We offer vocational training, career preparation and employment support to returning citizens, veterans, SNAP recipients and recent high school graduates.

Deshawn Jackson, a student of the NCIA Vocational Training Centers

The Vocational Training Center (VTC) provides trade-specific vocational training and case management to motivated job seekers. Our holistic approach to career readiness is offered under one roof to people previously experiencing barriers to success. Our goal is to equip each participant with job skills, life skills, and career opportunities.

VTC training and job placement programs include automotive maintenance, HVAC/R, and commercial driver’s license (CDL). Our centers in Baltimore and Charlotte prepare a combined 460 students for the workforce each year.

By the numbers:

  • 75% of candidates complete our vocational programs and earn industry certifications 
  • 75% of job-ready graduates secure employment within one year of program completion
2,000+

Success Stories

84%

Graduation Rate

$17 – $31

Per Hour Living Wage

Our Programs

Let’s Grow Together

Each program is available at both our Baltimore, MD and Charlotte, NC locations.

men holding a tire during automotive repairing training classes

Automotive Mechanics

The automotive mechanics program is a 17-week course providing students with classroom theory and hands-on experience. Students will earn nationally recognized certifications in the auto industry.

school buss drivers class b license training maryland

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

The CDL program (Class B in Baltimore; Classes A and B in Charlotte) is a 17-week course providing students with classroom theory and hands-on experience. Students will earn nationally recognized Class B License.

hvac repair training

HVAC/R

The HVAC/R program is a 17-week course providing students with classroom theory and hands-on experience. Students will earn nationally recognized HVAC/R certification.

Learn More about Employing our Graduates

Supported by the entire VTC staff, program graduates enter the job force with confidence, focus, and resolve.

  • Hire motivated, certified, job-ready workers technicians
  • Save money and time on training
  • Boost the local economy with new Living Wage earners
  • Disrupt generational poverty
  • Offer life-changing opportunity to a new workforce

Hire our Certified Trainees

Graduates earn industry-recognized credentials in their chosen field.

Our Hiring Partners Help Create a New Start for VTC Graduates

We appreciate VTC’s employment partners, including:

Baltimore City Public Schools logo
Boggs Group Logo
Bridgestone logo
Didlake logo
FEDEX Express logo
NC Department of Health and Human Services logo
jiffy lube logo
koons logo
Northeast Foods logo
Truist Foundation logo
Success Stories
“I love my job. I love my life. I love it! I still talk to the staff once or twice a month. Maybe one day I’ll come back and help other people.”
Charles McIntosh, HVAC/R Systems
Graduate

Locations in Baltimore & Charlotte

Baltimore, MD

310 S. Eden St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
eric.brown@ncianet.org

Charlotte, NC

517 Blairhill Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
rodney.hogue@ncianet.org

Inquire

If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us.

Partner

Partnerships with vendors, employers, and community partners are vital to the success of NCIA programs. Please join us!

Donate

Your financial support increases our impact on the people we serve. Help change a life today!

Sharing the Opportunity

Our relationships with local government, schools and support organizations help us find eager participants – and help them find us. We appreciate our Recruitment Partners, including:

helping up mission logo
DHS maryland department of human services logo
baltimore financial empowerment center logo
france merrick foundation logo
mnd logo
NC Department of Health and Human services logo
united states probation logo
Roca logo

Program Details

Automotive Repair

An intensive 17-week course that prepares participants for a successful career in automotive repair.

By combining hands-on experience, industry-recognized certifications, and a strong safety and technical skills foundation, graduates are well-equipped to meet the many challenges and opportunities in automotive repair.

Our practical skills program prepares graduates for the job market. Participants gain a diverse skill set that is highly valued by employers.

  • ESCO Section 609 – Air conditioning and heating
  • DAYCO – Drive belt training and installation
  • ASE Brakes – Certification to service brake systems on automobiles
  • ALLDATA Certifications – Technology providing mechanical information, diagnostic tools, and shop management tools
  • OSHA 10 – Construction safety practices
  • ASE Maintenance and Light Repair – General bumper-to-bumper automotive service


Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

An intensive 17-week course that prepares participants for a successful career in commercial driving.

Focused on the CDL Class B license, this program offers a thorough curriculum that covers all aspects of commercial driving, from safety regulations to hands-on driving experience. The program is structured to help students not only pass the CDL Class B driving test but also to become competent, safety-conscious professional drivers.

​​This diversity of vehicle types translates to a variety of career paths, including:

  • Public transportation drivers
  • School bus drivers
  • Delivery services
  • Construction and landscaping industries
  • Municipal services (e.g., garbage trucks, snow plows)

By focusing on the CDL Class B license, the program prepares students for a broad spectrum of job opportunities, enhancing their employability in the commercial driving sector.



HVAC/R

An intensive 17-week course that prepares participants for a successful career in HVAC/R. This intensive course equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to launch a successful career in HVAC/R, an industry that remains in high demand and is considered essential in our modern world. The program covers a wide range of topics, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of the field.
Upon completion, participants earn the following accreditations / certifications:

  • Basic Electricity: Fundamental knowledge of electrical systems, crucial for understanding HVAC/R equipment operation.
  • OSHA 10 – Construction Safety Practices: Essential safety training to ensure workplace safety in various construction environments.
  • Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures: Core skills for handling and maintaining refrigeration systems.
  • EPA Certification: Training in proper recovery techniques, refrigerant handling, and maintaining refrigerant logs, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
  • Tools and Materials: Proficiency in using industry-standard tools and understanding various materials used in HVAC/R systems.
  • Maryland Apprenticeship License: For participants in Baltimore, this license opens doors to apprenticeship opportunities, providing a pathway for continued learning and career advancement.


Inquire About Our Baltimore Location

If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us.

Inquire About Our Charlotte Location

If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us.