Best Trade Schools in Blackfoot, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Blackfoot. This guide compares accredited trade schools near Blackfoot, plus licensing steps in Idaho and which trades are hiring. Use it to choose a program with the right schedule and credentials.

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Top Trade Schools in Blackfoot

All schools below are accredited and within reasonable driving distance of Blackfoot. Program lengths are typical full‑time durations. Check each program for exact start dates and formats through College Navigator or the school site[^2].

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician Electricians keep Idaho’s homes, farms, and industry running. New construction and maintenance create steady work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued openings from growth and retirements[^1]. Apprentices earn while they learn and move up to journeyman pay with experience.

• HVAC Technician HVAC techs service heating and cooling systems across eastern Idaho’s seasonal climate. Employers value EPA 608 certification for refrigerants and hands‑on troubleshooting skills. BLS reports consistent demand for installation and service technicians nationwide[^1].

• Welder Manufacturing, food processing, energy, and construction all hire welders in eastern Idaho. Training that covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes will open more doors. BLS notes that certified welders with up‑to‑date skills are competitive across multiple industries[^1].

• Plumber Plumbers and pipefitters work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Idaho apprenticeships combine paid job hours with classroom instruction and lead to journeyman licensing. BLS expects ongoing replacement needs and project work to support job openings[^1].

Explore careers and training paths:

• Electrician overview and training steps: /trades/electrician
• HVAC career and licensing guide: /trades/hvac
• Welding certifications and schools: /trades/welding
• Plumbing apprenticeship pathway: /trades/plumbing

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; national data shown when state medians are unavailable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. State data (Idaho) shown where available; national OEWS values used when state data is unavailable. Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Idaho licenses most construction trades through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Always confirm current rules before you apply[^4].

• Electrician

  • Register as an apprentice and work under a licensed contractor.
  • Complete 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job training and related classroom instruction.
  • Pass the Idaho journeyman exam to earn your license.
  • Master electrician requires additional experience and an exam.
  • Electrical contractors must employ a master, show insurance, and meet state requirements[^4].

• HVAC

  • Register as an apprentice with a licensed HVAC contractor.
  • Complete required OJT hours and related instruction for HVAC journeyman.
  • Pass the journeyman exam. Specialty journeyman licenses are also available.
  • HVAC contractors must meet experience, insurance, and state licensing rules[^4].
  • Federal requirement: EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants[^5].

• Plumbing

  • Register as an apprentice under a licensed plumbing contractor.
  • Complete 8,000 hours OJT plus related instruction.
  • Pass the Idaho journeyman exam.
  • Plumbing contractor licensing requires journeyman status and business qualifications[^4].

• Cosmetology and Barber

  • Complete an approved program, meet Idaho hour requirements, and pass the NIC written and practical exams to be licensed[^4].

• CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)

  • Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit, complete FMCSA Entry‑Level Driver Training, then pass the skills test. Idaho licenses CDLs through the Idaho Transportation Department[^6].

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid apprenticeships

  • CEI and ISU often deliver the classroom portion of electrical, HVAC, and plumbing apprenticeships in the evening or online, paired with daytime paid work. This lets you earn while you learn[^2].

• Short‑term certifications

  • Many workforce training divisions offer accelerated options like CDL, CNA, phlebotomy, and OSHA safety that can be finished in weeks. These can be stackable toward longer certificates or degrees[^2].

• General education online

  • Regionally accredited colleges such as ISU, CEI, CWI, and CSI offer online general education courses that count toward AAS degrees. You can start online, then move into hands‑on labs on campus[^2].

• Employer‑sponsored training

  • Local contractors in the Snake River Plain often sponsor apprentices. Ask about tuition assistance, tool allowances, and paid study time. Combining a paid apprenticeship with evening classes is one of the fastest routes to journeyman status.

Next Steps

• Compare more Idaho options: /trade-school/idaho/
• Browse all trades and career guides: /trades/
• Start at the main Trade School hub: /trade-school/

If you know your trade, go straight to the relevant guide:

• Electrician: /trades/electrician
• HVAC: /trades/hvac
• Welding: /trades/welding
• Plumbing: /trades/plumbing

Talk with admissions for start dates, schedules, and placement data. Then apply early to secure a seat, especially for high‑demand programs.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook data for Electricians, HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation and program details for Idaho State University, College of Eastern Idaho, Austin Kade Academy, Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg, College of Southern Idaho, and College of Western Idaho. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ [^3]: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). School directory listing for Northwest Lineman College. https://www.accsc.org [^4]: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and Cosmetology licensing. https://dopl.idaho.gov [^5]: U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 [^6]: Idaho Transportation Department, Commercial Driver’s License. https://itd.idaho.gov/driver-licenses/

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