Best Trade Schools in Conway, Arkansas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
Disclaimer: This article is for education only, not professional advice. Always verify details with official sources. Some links, forms, or listings are sponsored or paid, which may affect their placement. We may earn from them. Read our full Disclaimer.

Here are the best schools in Conway. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, see what trades are in demand, and learn Arkansas licensing steps. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers are needed statewide and earn solid wages with short training1.

Top Trade Schools in Conway

These schools are in Conway or within a 45-minute drive. All are accredited or run state-registered apprenticeship training. Program lengths are typical for full-time students.

School Program Length Highlights
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) – Morrilton 1–2 years HLC-accredited public college. HVAC, Welding Technology, Automotive Service, Diesel Tech, Industrial Maintenance, CDL. Hands-on labs and employer partnerships2.
UA–Pulaski Technical College – North Little Rock 1–2 years HLC-accredited public college. HVACR Technology, Welding, Automotive Technology, Culinary, Machine Tool Technology. Multiple locations and evening options2.
Arkansas Welding Academy – Jacksonville 7–12 months ACCSC-accredited private welding school. Structural and pipe welding. AWS-focused training and employer recruiting events3.
Baptist Health College Little Rock – Little Rock 10–24 months Accredited allied health college. Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Radiography, Respiratory Care. Strong clinical placements with regional hospitals2.
Blue Cliff College – Little Rock 9–18 months ACCSC-accredited. Medical Assistant, Medical Office Administration, Massage Therapy. Flexible scheduling and career services3.
IEC of Arkansas Electrical Apprenticeship – North Little Rock 4 years Registered apprenticeship. 8,000 OJT hours plus 576 classroom hours. Evening classes for working apprentices. Preps you for Arkansas journeyman exam4.
UA Local 155 Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC – Little Rock 5 years Registered apprenticeship. Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC service tracks. Paid OJT, classroom training, and industry certifications4.
Arkansas State University–Beebe (nearby campuses in Beebe and Searcy) 1–2 years HLC-accredited public college. Welding, HVAC, Advanced Manufacturing, Diesel Tech, Automotive. Multiple technical certificates and AAS options2.

Tip: Public community colleges like UACCM, UA–Pulaski Tech, and ASU–Beebe appear in U.S. Department of Education listings and are good choices for federal aid eligibility2. Specialty schools like Arkansas Welding Academy and Blue Cliff hold national career school accreditation3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Steady statewide demand with growth tied to construction, grid upgrades, and solar projects1. Training can be apprenticeship-first or school-first. Many students start with a pre-apprentice electrical or industrial maintenance program, then enter an apprenticeship to finish hours. See the electrician career path and tools to get started in our hub1. Learn more: Electrician.

  • HVAC Technician

    • HVAC and refrigeration techs work in homes, schools, hospitals, and industry. Arkansas summers and growing building stock keep demand consistent1. You will also need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants5. Learn more: HVAC.

  • Welder

    • Welding skills apply to manufacturing, construction, pipe and structural work. Credentials through AWS procedures help you qualify for better jobs. Fabrication, maintenance, and field work offer different schedules and pay scales1. Learn more: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Licensed plumbers stay busy with new construction, service calls, and industrial piping. Apprentices earn while they learn and move into journeyman licensing after required hours and exams1. Learn more: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Electrician licensing – Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical Examiners6

  • Apprentice: Register as an apprentice under a licensed contractor. Complete on-the-job training under supervision and related classroom instruction. Many programs follow a 4-year, 8,000-hour OJT plus 576 classroom-hour model4.
  • Journeyman: Meet experience and classroom requirements, then pass the state journeyman exam. Apply through the Board of Electrical Examiners6.
  • Master/Contractor: Meet required journeyman experience, pass the master exam, and obtain the contractor license if you will run a business and pull permits6.

HVACR licensing – Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (ADLL)6

  • Technician: Work under a licensed HVACR contractor. Many employers prefer school training plus entry-level certifications.
  • Contractor License Classes: Class A (unlimited), Class B (restricted capacity), plus specialty classes for refrigeration, sheet metal, and others. Requirements include verified experience or approved education, passing the state exam, and liability insurance6.
  • EPA 608: Required to service systems with regulated refrigerants. Offered in Type I, II, III, or Universal5.

Plumbing licensing – Arkansas State Committee of Plumbing Examiners (ADLL)6

  • Apprentice: Register and accumulate documented OJT under a licensed plumber plus related instruction.
  • Journeyman: Typically 4 years of apprenticeship experience. Pass the state journeyman exam6.
  • Master: Additional experience as a journeyman and a master exam. Contractors must meet business and bonding requirements to pull permits6.

Welding

  • No state license for general welding. Employers may require performance qualifications to AWS D1.1 structural standards or ASME for pressure piping. Training programs and apprenticeships often use NCCER modules and performance tests recognized by industry7.

Apprenticeships

  • Arkansas apprenticeships are often registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. This gives you a nationally portable credential and structured pay increases tied to skill milestones4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid programs: Public colleges near Conway, including UACCM and UA–Pulaski Tech, commonly offer some general education and theory courses online, with labs and skill checks on campus2.
  • Evening training: Many apprenticeships in Central Arkansas, such as IEC Arkansas and UA Local 155, run evening classroom sessions so you can work full time while you train4.
  • Self-paced modules: Some providers use NCCER-aligned online modules for safety, math, codes, and trade theory, paired with in-person performance evaluations7.
  • Exam prep: Contractors and journeyman candidates often use online code update courses and practice tests before their Arkansas exam6.

If you need maximum flexibility, consider starting with a short certificate or evening pre-apprenticeship. Then step into a registered apprenticeship to earn while you learn. Stackable credentials help you move up without taking long breaks from work.

How to Choose a Conway Trade Program

  • Verify accreditation and approvals. Check U.S. Department of Education listings for colleges and ACCSC for career schools. Confirm that apprenticeships are registered234.
  • Match the program to your license. For electrical, HVACR, and plumbing, make sure classroom hours count toward Arkansas licensing requirements6.
  • Tour the labs. Welding booths, HVAC trainers, electrical panels, and modern tools matter. Ask about pass rates on state or industry exams.
  • Ask about placement. Look for employer partners in Faulkner, Pulaski, and surrounding counties. Good programs host job fairs and onsite interviews.
  • Plan financing early. Complete the FAFSA for public colleges and ask about employer tuition support or apprenticeship sponsorships2.

Next Steps

Have questions about licensing or choosing a program in Central Arkansas? Start with the state hub above and then contact the school’s admissions or apprenticeship office.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment and Wages by Occupation and Projections, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator institutional profiles for Arkansas public colleges, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited School Directory, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Program, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

  6. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Licensing Boards and Trades, including Electrical, HVACR, and Plumbing, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. NCCER, Craft Training and Credentials, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

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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.