ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
This trade school started out as an idea and dream of Dean Millard, John Duff, and Robert Millard. Between them, they had approximately 60 years of instruction experience in the field of Oil Heating at a trade school in Massachusetts.
Over the course of those many years of instructing students, many of which travelled from New Hampshire to attend the trade school in Massachusetts, and listening to their concerns, they realized the real need for a bonafide trade school in the state of New Hampshire.
After many of years of research, and visiting many possible sites with in New Hampshire for their own trade school, they found the location at 7 Perimeter Rd in Manchester, NH in 2012. After 7 years of operation, they opened their second location at 109 Towle Farm Rd in Hampton NH on March 1st, 2019.
Shortly after opening the Seacoast location, they had to close down both locations due to the Covid 19 global lockdown. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, the NH School of Mechanical Trades slowly reopened their door to keep training the people that were considered essential workers. The awareness that the State of NH needs more trades people to fulfill the work that is in demand grew and so did the class sizes as the pandemic became less threatening to the public.
After years of talking to many companies that service the northern New Hampshire areas, they decided to open a third location in the Lakes Region. Throughout 2024 they searched for the right site to expand the school once again. In 2025 they found their third location at 67 Whittier Highway in Moultonborough. This location is projected to open later this year, hosting many of the classes that the other locations currently offer.
The school is currently looking for instructors for the Lakes Region location, as well as substitutes and potential class instructors for the other two locations too. Once the new location is open the dates will be added to the website. There is also a contact list that will be sent out notifications as classes are available. To be added to this list please email Gina@nhtradeschool.com.
ROBERT L. MILLARD
Robert Millard, father of Dean Millard, was involved in the oil heat industry for many years. Up until his retirement, he was a steam engineer who served as the chief engineer at Malden Hospital as well as Salem State College.
He continued his passion for teaching future technicians after his retirement, as a well-respected oil heat instructor at the Peterson School for over 25 years.
Unfortunately, Robert lost his battle with cancer in 2012, as Dean and John opened this school. Dean and John vowed to see his vision and mission come to life at The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades.
WHO WE ARE
John Duff graduated from Silverton High School out of Oregon. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. Upon his honorable discharge, John earned his oil heat technicians license, amongst other licensing, in the state of Massachusetts.
He then joined Dean and Robert at their company as a Heating Technician. John and Dean have now worked together for almost 30 years. John also taught Oil Heating at the Peterson School of Steam Engineering for approximately 20 years.
Dean Millard started studying plumbing at Salem High Vocational School out of Massachusetts. After graduating high school, he then spent four years in the U.S. Marines. Upon his honorable discharge, he and his father, Robert Millard, formed an oil and gas heating Service Company that is still in operation today. While working as a service technician, he also taught oil heating at the Peterson School of Steam Engineering for approximately 29 years.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to provide a first of its kind, educational facility dedicated solely to the trades, with the very best instructors who share our dedication and vision of getting people of all backgrounds excited about a career in the trades again.
OUR STAFF
We are dedicated to helping people find the class that’s the right fit for you! Please contact the school with any questions or concerns about our classes and how to become licensed in the trade your are interested in.
CONTACT US
Below you can find our locations and contact details:
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 4pm
Fridays: 9am - 3pm
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 4pm
Fridays: 9am - 3pm
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