Career Training Path › Virginia › Tidewater Tech-Trades
Tidewater Tech-Trades
Norfolk, Virginia · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 4535 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk, VA 23502 · Phone: (757) 858-8324 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Tidewater Tech-Trades is a private for-profit trade school in Norfolk, Virginia offering welding, HVAC, and construction trades programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Tidewater Tech-Trades has a 71.4% completion rate versus a 57.1% state average, with graduates carrying a median debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $31,657 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Tidewater Tech-Trades; the school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, and about 59.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $42,520 | $59,180 | $65,400 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,760 | $59,730 | $73,440 |
| Construction laborers | $32,900 | $43,560 | $47,550 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,540 | $59,330 | $76,540 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Virginia (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 172 | $33,825 | $25,636 | $9,500 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 99 | $25,676 | $23,649 | $9,500 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 99 | $29,083 | $24,421 | $14,750 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 72 | $27,441 | $22,094 | $14,750 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 33 | $33,825 | $25,636 | $9,500 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Tidewater Tech-Trades is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Norfolk, Virginia, in a midsize city setting. The campus is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and students can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, since it participates in Title IV programs. The school's most-awarded programs are welding schools, HVAC schools, and construction trades programs, alongside offerings in auto-mechanic-trades, totaling five program families.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 71.4%, which is above the state average of 57.1% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $31,657. About 59.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus may suit students seeking hands-on trade training in welding, HVAC, or construction fields, particularly those pursuing shorter, career-focused programs rather than multi-year associate degrees; whether it fits adult career-changers depends on program length and schedule details not specified here. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Tidewater Tech-Trades offers five program families, with the most-awarded being welding schools, HVAC schools, and construction trades programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, with a current status of Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal student aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 71.4%, which is above the Virginia state average of 57.1% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $31,657, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Tidewater Tech-Trades is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition pricing and institutional funding sources compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available federal data; contact the school at (757) 858-8324 or visit its website for specifics.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?232919.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and schedule details needed to assess fit for career-changers are not specified in this data; contact the school directly to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in the available federal data; the school's website or admissions office can provide program-specific details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Tidewater Tech-Trades at (757) 858-8324 or through its website, https://tidewatertechtrades.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools offering the same trades is not included in this dataset; the College Scorecard link can be used to look up similar institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Norfolk, VA
- Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA · 32% completion
- Centura College-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · 73% completion
- Fortis College-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · 30% completion
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · 79% completion
- Advanced Technology InstituteNorfolk, VA
- Advanced Technology InstituteVirginia Beach, VA · 79% completion
- Central Virginia Community CollegeLynchburg, VA · 45% completion
- Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA · 33% completion
See all trade and career schools in Virginia or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.