Best Trade Schools in Birmingham, Alabama (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Birmingham. This guide compares accredited programs, explains Alabama licensing, and highlights the trades hiring now. Use it to pick a program and get licensed fast. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in steady demand across Alabama1.

Top Trade Schools in Birmingham

Below are reputable, accredited options serving metro Birmingham. Program lengths are typical ranges. Confirm current details with each school. Accreditation verified via College Navigator when available2.

School Program Length Highlights
Lawson State Community College (Birmingham & Bessemer) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Strong labs in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Electrical Technology, Welding, Automotive Service. Hands-on training and daytime/evening sections.
Jefferson State Community College (Multiple Birmingham-area campuses) Certificates: 1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Career programs in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, Industrial Tech, and related fields. Flexible scheduling and career services.
Bevill State Community College (Sumiton, Jasper) Certificates: 1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical Systems, and Lineworker training at nearby campuses. Multiple start dates and modern shops.
Wallace State Community College – Hanceville Short-term: 1–2 semesters; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Mechatronics, Machine Tool, and Automotive. Blended formats with strong employer ties.
Shelton State Community College – Tuscaloosa Certificates: 1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Welding Technology and HVACR with industry-aligned curriculum and dedicated labs.
IBEW Local 136 / NECA JATC – Birmingham Electrical Training Alliance Apprenticeship: ~5 years Registered Apprenticeship with U.S. DOL. Earn while you learn in electrical construction. Paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction. Journeyman prep.
UA Local 91 Plumbers & Steamfitters JATC (Birmingham) Apprenticeship: ~5 years Registered Apprenticeship with U.S. DOL. Pipefitting, plumbing, welding, and HVAC piping. Safety, codes, and license exam prep while earning.
ABC of Alabama Craft Training Center (Pelham) Typically 2–4 years part-time NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor. Evening classes in Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, and more with employer OJT pathways3.

Notes:

  • Community colleges listed hold institutional accreditation through SACSCOC and report to the U.S. Department of Education2.
  • Apprenticeships are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and are recognized pathways to journeyman status with paid training.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians install and maintain power, lighting, and controls in homes and commercial sites. Alabama continues to add construction and advanced manufacturing projects that need skilled wiremen1. Training often starts with a pre-apprenticeship or community college electrical program, followed by an apprenticeship. Learn more about the role and pay on our Electrician page: Electrician.

  • HVAC Technician

    • HVAC techs service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Hot summers in Birmingham keep service calls steady. Technicians with EPA 608 certification and strong troubleshooting skills see steady work in residential and light commercial markets1. Explore certifications and career paths here: HVAC.

  • Welder

    • Welders support fabrication, maintenance, and construction. Birmingham’s manufacturing base and industrial maintenance contractors hire welders who can pass structural and pipe tests. Multi-process welders (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW) have an edge1. See training options and test prep tips: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers and gas fitters install and repair piping systems. Growth in residential building and healthcare facilities supports steady demand. Apprentices who master code, safety, and service diagnostics advance quickly1. Get an overview of steps and licensing: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Alabama

Most skilled trades require state licensing or certification. Always verify details with the board before you apply.

  • Electrician

    • Board: Alabama Electrical Contractors Board
    • Steps:
    • Start as an apprentice. Accumulate documented on-the-job experience under a licensed contractor.
    • Apply for Journeyman Electrician after sufficient experience and pass the exam.
    • Progress to Electrical Contractor with additional experience, business registration, insurance, and a separate exam.
    • Keep your license current with renewals and any required continuing education.
    • Tip: Choose programs that align with apprenticeship or provide related technical instruction hours.

  • HVAC

    • Board: Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (HACR)
    • Steps:
    • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants4.
    • Gain verifiable experience through school labs plus supervised field work.
    • Apply for the Alabama HVAC license and pass the state exam.
    • Maintain license and any required continuing education.
    • Many employers prefer NATE or manufacturer training in addition to state licensing.

  • Plumbing and Gas Fitting

    • Board: Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board
    • Steps:
    • Register as an Apprentice Plumber/Gas Fitter and work under a licensed pro.
    • Qualify for Journeyman exam after required documented experience. Pass the exam.
    • Qualify for Master after required time as a Journeyman and pass the exam.
    • Maintain licenses and permits as required at the local level.
    • Some projects also require separate gas fitting credentials. Check local permitting.

  • Welding

    • Alabama does not issue a state welder license.
    • Most employers require performance qualifications such as AWS D1.1 or ASME certifications. Schools and apprenticeships often prepare and test to these codes.
    • Keep procedure qualifications current and documented for employers and inspectors.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning

    • Many Birmingham-area community colleges deliver theory online with required in-person labs for skills like electrical, HVAC, welding, and machining. This format shortens campus time without sacrificing hands-on practice.

  • Night and weekend classes

    • ABC of Alabama and several community colleges offer evening sections that work with job schedules. Apprenticeships combine weekday work with night classes, so you earn while you learn.

  • Exam prep and microcredentials

    • Look for short prep courses for EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA 10/30, and NCCER module credentials to boost employability quickly34.

  • Fully online trade training

    • Core hands-on trades cannot be completed fully online. Use online content for safety, math, code, and troubleshooting, then complete required labs and competencies in person.

Next Steps

Set up campus tours, talk with admissions, and ask about placement rates, lab hours, and employer partners. Confirm that your program prepares you for Alabama licensing exams and any required certifications. Then apply and lock in your start date.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and state employment data for construction and extraction; installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Program and accreditation listings for Alabama public and private postsecondary institutions. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩

  3. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Credentialing system and Accredited Training Sponsor information. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-fact-sheet-for-technicians ↩ ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.