What Is It Known For?
The New Orleans Career Center opened in 2017 as an independent nonprofit with a specific mission, to prepare people for careers that actually pay. Around 600 students train here each year, though the facility can handle up to over 1,000 students when demand rises.
What sets NOCC apart is how closely it works with employers. Instead of guessing what skills might be useful someday, the center designs its high school and adult courses around jobs that are hiring right now. Every training path leads to entry-level positions that pay above a living wage and come with room to grow professionally.
High school students can also earn professional credentials or certifications before they graduate. Some programs even award transferable college credit.
Degrees & Certifications
New Orleans Career Center structures its programs around five industry sectors:
- Healthcare
- Building Trades
- Engineering/Manufacturing
- Culinary Arts/Hospitality
- Digital Media
Each sector includes training that leads to professional-level credentials recognized by employers in that field.
Class Schedules
High school trainees attend half-day sessions every day. Depending on your chosen path, training lasts anywhere from one to three years. Some training paths open the door to apprenticeship opportunities while you’re still learning.
Adult trainees get intensive, hands-on instruction. You’ll spend time in real employer settings and work directly with professionals already established in your field. For healthcare programs, clinical experience and externships are built into the curriculum.
There is no information on evening or online options, so contact the school for this and specific details about class times for adult programs.
Is It a Good School?
NOCC operates as a nonprofit career and technical education provider rather than an accredited institution. It partners with the local public school system and local industry to deliver training aligned with what employers need. Programs lead to industry-based credentials and certifications that matter in the job market.
Acceptance Rate
100% acceptance rate. Admission to New Orleans Career Center is open to everyone who qualifies. Any public high school student in Orleans Parish, plus adults 18 or older with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent can also apply.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
You pay nothing to attend New Orleans Career Center. Both high school and adult trainees train for free. Because there are no fees, the center does not offer a net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse
Professional Services
- Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Skilled Trades
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Welding
Campus Locations
New Orleans 1331 Kerlerec Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the New Orleans Career Center (NOCC) is recognized as a premier hub for Career Connected Learning in the city. Located in the historic 7th Ward, it provides high school students and adults with a bridge to high-demand technical careers.
Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
Incredible Learning Environment: Reviewers describe the facility as an exceptional space for students from across New Orleans to engage in hands-on technical coursework.
Three Pillars of Success: The center is highly regarded for focusing on more than just “hard skills.” It is praised for balancing technical training with soft skill development (professionalism and communication) and providing deep career insights through industry partnerships.
Advanced Credentialing: Students and supporters value that the curriculum leads directly to industry-recognized certifications, allowing graduates to enter the workforce with advanced standing.
Modern Facilities: Local feedback highlights the state-of-the-art equipment available for trades, making it a “wish-list” institution for older professionals who didn’t have access to such technology during their own schooling.
Common Criticisms
Limited Public Feedback: While the existing reviews are overwhelmingly positive, the small number of public reviews makes it difficult for prospective students to find detailed, personal accounts of every specific program offered.
Program Intensity: As a career center focusing on “advanced credentials,” the pace is rigorous. Some students transitioning from traditional high school environments may find the professional expectations and technical workload to be a significant step up.
Momentum
The momentum for the New Orleans Career Center is surging as a central pillar of the city’s workforce development in 2026. NOCC has significantly expanded its footprint recently, now serving as the primary training site for the city’s emerging Green Energy and Coastal Restoration trades. In late 2025, the center celebrated a record number of students earning dual-enrollment credits and industry certifications in Healthcare and Manufacturing. With its “Career First” approach, NOCC is currently seeing its highest enrollment numbers to date, solidifying its reputation as the go-to destination for New Orleanians looking to bypass traditional student debt for immediate, high-wage career paths.