Training Skilled Trades People Since 1971
North American Trade Schools has been training skilled trades professionals in the Greater Baltimore area for over 50 years. Originally founded as the Diesel Institute of America, North American Trade Schools now offers training in electrical technology, HVAC, combination welding, diesel technology, building construction, and commercial truck driving (CDL).
In December 2025, North American Trade Schools came under new ownership.
Our goal is to be the best pathway into a career in the skilled trades and the best talent partner for employers in the manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and construction industries. Whether you’re looking to build your entry-level pipeline or upskill your existing team, we help attract and train the talent you need.
A message to employers from our Campus President
Every student who leaves North American Trade Schools with a skill that you value has the chance to change the trajectory of their life. Do that hundreds of times, and we strengthen families, employers, neighborhoods and Baltimore. That’s the type of impact that gets me up in the morning.
Our responsibility is to make sure the skills our students develop have value in your workplace. We want you in our labs, talking with our instructors, meeting our students and showing us what is changing in your industry. When you identify a meaningful gap in the preparation of entry-level workers, we will respond.
I have spent much of my career in Baltimore building and running manufacturing companies. I have hired skilled people, worked beside them, and depended on them to get the job done. I know how much it matters when someone arrives ready to contribute.
Together, we have an opportunity to create better futures for our students while building the skilled workforce Baltimore needs. I hope you’ll be part of it/
Ken Malone, North American Trade Schools Campus President
Take a Look Inside Our Baltimore Campus
North American Trade Schools trains students at its Baltimore campus, a city known for its shipping ports, steel work, and growing construction projects. Classrooms and labs on campus are set up to match the conditions students will face on the job, giving prospective students a clear picture of what a typical day on campus looks like before they ever apply.
Each trade program at NATS uses a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on lab time. Students spend part of their day learning the material and part of their day applying it on the equipment they will use in the field. This setup helps students build the kind of practical experience that employers look for.
The campus includes space for each of NATS’ programs, including CDL training, diesel technology, electrical technology, HRVAC, combination welding, and building technology. Students train in labs built around the tools and equipment they will use after graduation.
Anyone interested in seeing the campus in person can contact NATS to schedule a visit or check the event calendar for upcoming open houses.