Best Trade Schools in Indianapolis, Indiana (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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 Indianapolis. This guide compares accredited programs, explains Indiana licensing, and shows where the jobs are. Use it to pick a program that fits your goals and timeline. Employers in the Indianapolis metro need skilled technicians across construction, HVAC, welding, and healthcare¹.

Top Trade Schools in Indianapolis

School	Program Length	Highlights
Lincoln Tech – Indianapolis	10–18 months	ACCSC accredited; hands-on labs; programs in Automotive, Diesel, Collision Repair, and CNC/Manufacturing; employer partnerships for entry-level placement²
Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis	1–2 years	HLC accredited public college; certificates and AAS in HVAC, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Automotive, CDL; strong transfer and workforce ties³
Fortis College – Indianapolis	9–18 months	ACCSC accredited; programs in HVAC/R and allied health; flexible scheduling; career services support²
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Indianapolis	18–24 months	ACCSC accredited; FAA-approved Part 147 aviation maintenance training; Avionics and A&P pathways; airport-adjacent labs²
Vincennes University Aviation Technology Center (Indianapolis)	~2 years	HLC accredited; FAA-approved aviation maintenance programs; associate degrees with extensive hangar-based training³
International Business College – Indianapolis	12–24 months	ACCSC accredited; Veterinary Technology (programmatic AVMA accreditation), Medical Assistant, and business programs; small class sizes²
Aveda Institute Indianapolis	6–12 months	NACCAS accredited; Cosmetology and Esthetics; strong salon network and state board prep
MyComputerCareer – Indianapolis	7–13 months	ACCET accredited; IT certifications (CompTIA, Microsoft); hybrid online/campus schedule; career services

Notes:

Program lengths are typical ranges and vary by credential.
Always confirm current program offerings and approvals with the school.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Indianapolis continues to add data centers, healthcare, and multifamily projects, which increases demand for electricians¹.
Training time is usually 4–5 years via apprenticeship or a mix of school and supervised hours.
Get the details on career paths and certifications at our electrician hub: Electrician.

HVAC Technician

HVAC techs are needed for new builds and system retrofits across Marion County. Heat pumps and building automation skills are a plus¹.
Many techs finish a 1–2 year program and earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants.
Explore training and certs: HVAC.

Welder

Fabrication, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects in Central Indiana support steady welding openings. Structural and pipe welding bring higher pay¹.
Look for AWS-aligned training with MIG, TIG, and Stick practice and plate/pipe tests.
Learn pathways and certifications: Welding.

Plumber

Ongoing commercial builds and service work drive steady hiring. Licensed plumbers and contractors can build strong local businesses¹.
Indiana licenses plumbers at the state level. Apprenticeship is the common route.
See career steps and wages: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Indiana

Electrician

Indiana does not issue a statewide journeyman/master electrician license. Many cities and counties license at the local level. Indianapolis licenses electrical contractors and related classifications through the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services⁴.
To operate a business statewide as an electrical contractor, apply through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s Electrical Contractors committee. You will need a qualifying individual, experience, exam, and insurance/bonding⁵.
Typical path: complete an approved apprenticeship or equivalent experience, pass the relevant exam, obtain contractor registration and insurance.

HVAC

No statewide HVAC technician license. The City of Indianapolis licenses mechanical/HVAC contractors. Requirements include experience, exam, and insurance⁴.
EPA Section 608 certification is required anywhere in the U.S. to purchase or handle regulated refrigerants⁶.

Plumbing

Indiana licenses plumbers at the state level through the Indiana Plumbing Commission. Pathway: register as an apprentice, complete an approved 4-year apprenticeship or equivalent experience, pass the journeyman exam, and then qualify as a plumbing contractor if you will run a business and pull permits⁵.
Local registrations may still be required to work in specific jurisdictions.

Welding

Indiana does not license welders. Employers typically require AWS certifications aligned to the work (for example, D1.1 structural or pipe codes).
Choose programs that prepare you for AWS performance tests and include visual and bend testing.

Always verify current requirements with the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis before you enroll or test. Rules can change.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid schedules: Many Indianapolis campuses offer evening or weekend labs with online theory. This works well for HVAC, welding safety, and electrical code classes. Hands-on labs are still required for most skilled trades.
IT and office-focused careers: Schools like MyComputerCareer offer hybrid and online coursework aligned to industry certifications, which can be completed alongside full-time work.
Community college flexibility: Ivy Tech provides online general education, short-term certificates, and stackable pathways that can fit around your job³.
Aviation: Some test prep can be online, but A&P training must be completed in FAA-approved labs.

Tip: Ask schools about externships, employer partners, and pass rates. Confirm accreditation and programmatic approvals (for example, FAA Part 147 for aviation; AVMA for Vet Tech).

Next Steps

Compare programs and admissions timelines at the Indiana hub: Trade Schools in Indiana.
Explore trades to see salaries, training time, and certifications: All Trades.
Get planning tips, checklists, and financial aid resources: Guides.
Ready to browse more locations? Start here: Trade School Directory.

Citations

Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in demand nationwide and in metro areas like Indianapolis¹.
Use College Navigator and accreditor directories to confirm a school’s status before you enroll³².

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
City of Indianapolis – Contractor Licensing, Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. https://www.indy.gov/activity/apply-for-a-contractor-license ↩ ↩
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) – Electrical Contractors and Plumbing Commission. https://www.in.gov/pla/ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA – Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.