Best Trade Schools in Anchorage, Alaska (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Anchorage. This guide ranks respected local programs, explains Alaska licensing, and shows which trades are in demand. Use it to compare hands-on training options and apprenticeships. Skilled trades continue to offer stable careers with strong wages in Alaska1.

Top Trade Schools in Anchorage

The schools below are accredited or state-recognized and have strong job training. Program lengths are typical ranges; check the school for current details.

School Program Length Highlights
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) – Community & Technical College 1–2 years (Certificate/AAS) Regionally accredited (NWCCU)2. Automotive and Diesel Technology, Aviation Maintenance (FAA Part 147), Culinary and more. Strong employer ties in Anchorage.
UAA – Aviation Technology Division (Merrill Field) 12–24 months (Cert/AAS) FAA Part 147-approved AMT programs. Airframe and Powerplant pathways with modern labs. Part of UAA (NWCCU)2.
Charter College – Anchorage 10–12 months (Certificate) Blended schedules. Welding and HVAC/R labs, plus allied health. Institutionally accredited; see College Navigator2. Offers industry certifications prep.
Alaska Career College (ACC) 9–12 months (Diploma) ACCSC-accredited career school3. Medical assisting, phlebotomy, massage therapy, business/IT support. Day and evening cohorts.
Northern Industrial Training (Palmer) 4–20+ weeks Short-format CDL, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Welding. NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor4. Near Anchorage with frequent starts.
Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Trust (AJEATT) – Anchorage 4–5 years IBEW/NECA apprenticeship. Earn while you learn. Prepares for Alaska Journeyman Electrician license. Classroom and paid OJT.
ABC Alaska Apprenticeship (Anchorage) 2–5 years Open-shop apprenticeships in Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry, and more. NCCER curriculum and credentials4. Evening classes for working apprentices.
UAA – Matanuska-Susitna College (Palmer) 1–2 years (Certificate/AAS) Refrigeration and Heating Technology with labs. Part of UAA system (NWCCU)2. Good option for HVAC trainees near Anchorage.

Tip: Visit each school, ask about lab hours, credential pass rates, and employer partnerships. Verify current accreditation on College Navigator or the accreditor’s directory23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Steady demand across residential, commercial, oil and gas, and utilities. Electricians enjoy strong wages and consistent overtime in Alaska1. The union and open‑shop routes both offer solid training. See career details: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Anchorage needs techs who can service boilers, heat pumps, chillers, and refrigeration in extreme conditions. EPA 608 is required for refrigerants nationwide5. Learn more: HVAC.

  • Welder

    • Work spans fabrication, pipeline, structural steel, marine, and maintenance. Employers value process flexibility (SMAW, FCAW, GTAW) and certs earned to AWS or NCCER standards4. Explore the path: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Demand remains steady for construction and service, including hydronic heating and fuel gas. Journeyman plumbers can specialize in residential, commercial, or utility categories. Start here: Plumbing.

According to BLS, skilled trades offer stable employment and wages above many non-degree fields, with ongoing replacement needs from retirements1.

Licensing Requirements in Alaska

Here are the high-level steps. Always verify current rules with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (Mechanical Inspection)6.

  • Electricians (State-Licensed)

    • Register and train as an apprentice. Log supervised hours.
    • Typical hours: 8,000 for Journeyman Electrician; 4,000 for Residential Wireman; 8,000 for Lineman (Power). Experience must be documented.
    • Apply to test. Pass the Alaska exam based on the National Electrical Code.
    • Receive your Certificate of Fitness/license from Mechanical Inspection.
    • Renew on the state’s schedule. Continuing education on code updates is required for renewal (check current hour requirements)6.

  • Plumbers (State-Licensed)

    • Apprentice under a licensed journeyman or through an approved program.
    • Journeyman Plumber usually requires 8,000 documented hours. Restricted categories (e.g., Fuel Gas, Utility) require fewer hours.
    • Apply, pass the state exam, and obtain your Certificate of Fitness.
    • Maintain CE and renew as required by the state6.

  • HVAC/R

    • EPA Section 608 certification required to handle refrigerants5.
    • Alaska does not issue an individual “HVAC technician” license. If you own/operate a contracting business or pull permits, a Mechanical Administrator license in the correct category (e.g., Residential HVAC or Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal) is required. You must meet experience requirements and pass an exam6.
    • Many techs work under a licensed Mechanical Administrator for permitted work.

  • Welding

    • No state welder license. Employers, unions, or owners set qualification tests. Many shops use NCCER or AWS procedures. Keep current procedure qualifications and continuity records4.

Pro tip: If you plan to contract independently, you may also need an Alaska contractor registration and bonding. Check with the state before you bid work.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended programs in Anchorage

    • Charter College runs hybrid formats for HVAC/R and welding theory with on-campus labs.
    • UAA offers selected lecture courses online, while hands-on labs meet in person. This can reduce campus time.

  • Short bootcamps and modular training

    • Northern Industrial Training offers accelerated blocks for CDL, heavy equipment, and welding. Good for upskilling fast between rotations.

  • Apprenticeships with evening classes

    • AJEATT and ABC Alaska deliver classroom after work hours, so you can earn a wage during the day.

  • Fully online options

    • General education or safety courses may be online. Core trade skills still require in‑person labs or OJT to meet competency and licensing needs.

Before you enroll, confirm how many hours are in-person, where labs meet, and what certifications you can test for upon completion.

Next Steps

Anchorage has solid training choices and strong employer demand. Visit programs, ask about placement and certifications, and map your path to an Alaska license where required.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment and Wages data and Occupational Outlook, accessed 2025. https://www.bls.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator institutional profiles (UAA, Charter College, Mat-Su College), accessed 2025. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory, accessed 2025. https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩

  4. NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), Accredited Training Sponsor/Center information and credentials, accessed 2025. https://www.nccer.org ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification (refrigerants), accessed 2025. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  6. Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection (Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical Administrator licensing and exams), accessed 2025. https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/mi.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.