Best Trade Schools in Lafayette, Louisiana (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 Lafayette. This page lists accredited options, the fastest programs, and Louisiana licensing steps. We also point to trades hiring now, with reliable labor data and sources you can trust12.

Top Trade Schools in Lafayette

All schools below are institutionally accredited or state-approved, and appear in U.S. Department of Education data or recognized accreditor directories23.

School Program Length Highlights
South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) – Lafayette Campus 1–2 years (AAS/Technical Diplomas); 1–3 semesters (Certificates) Public community college. Programs in HVAC, Welding, Industrial Technology, Electrical, CDL, and Practical Nursing. Day and evening options. Strong employer ties across Acadiana2.
Unitech Training Academy – Lafayette 6–12 months (Diplomas) Focused, hands-on training in Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, EKG/Phlebotomy, and IT Support. Career services and externships. Hybrid learning available2.
Delta College of Lafayette 9–16 months (Diplomas) Practical Nursing, Medical Assistant, EMT-Basic, and allied health programs. Small classes and exam prep support. Day/night schedules2.
Blue Cliff College – Lafayette 9–12 months (Diplomas) Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, and allied health. ACCSC-accredited institution with lab-focused training and career support3.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – Lafayette ~12 months (Cosmetology, 1500 hours) Salon-quality training with strong brand network. State board prep and client clinic experience. Evening options vary by cohort2.
Cloyd’s Beauty School #3 – Lafayette ~12 months (Cosmetology) Cosmetology and related specialties. Client clinic practice and state board preparation. Good fit for students seeking smaller class size2.

Tip: Compare each program’s clinical or lab hours, certification pass rates, and employer partnerships. These often matter more than total seat time.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New construction, oil and gas facilities, and hospital systems keep demand steady in Acadiana. Electricians with industrial controls or instrumentation skills see strong opportunities1. Learn more about training paths on our Electrician hub.

  • HVAC/R

    • Hot, humid summers drive year-round service calls. Employers value EPA 608 certification and experience with heat pumps and commercial systems1. Start with our HVAC guide.

  • Welding

    • Fabrication, pipelines, and maintenance turnarounds create hiring spikes. AWS or NCCER credentials help you qualify faster for shop and field roles14. Explore training paths on our Welding page.

  • Plumbing

    • Licensed plumbers are needed for residential growth and healthcare facilities. Apprenticeship to journeyman is the standard path in Louisiana1. See steps on our Plumbing page.

Note: Many Lafayette-area contractors prefer NCCER credentials for industrial sites and shutdown work4.

Licensing Requirements in Louisiana

Here is what most students ask about licensing. Always verify current rules with the state before you apply.

  • Electrician (Louisiana)

    • Individuals: Journeyman/Master licensing is issued by city/parish authorities (check Lafayette Consolidated Government for local requirements). Many employers recognize NCCER Electrical credentials.
    • Contractors: If you bid or contract electrical work over state thresholds, you need a license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) with the Electrical Work classification5. Exam and financial requirements apply.
    • Typical steps: Get formal training or apprenticeship, log supervised experience, pass local journeyman/master exams if required, obtain contractor license for larger projects, maintain insurance and renewals.

  • HVAC/R (Louisiana)

    • EPA: All techs who handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification6.
    • Contractors: Mechanical/HVAC projects at or above state monetary thresholds require an LSLBC license (Mechanical Work classification). Residential specialty licenses may apply for certain scopes and values5.
    • Typical steps: Complete a certificate or AAS in HVAC, earn EPA 608, gain supervised field hours, then obtain state contractor licensing if you bid jobs over thresholds.

  • Plumbing (Louisiana)

    • Apprentice registration and licensing are overseen by the Louisiana State Plumbing Board (LSPB)7.
    • Journeyman: Complete a registered apprenticeship (generally 4 years/8,000 hours) or equivalent approved experience, then pass the journeyman exam7.
    • Master Plumber: After meeting LSPB experience requirements and passing the master exam, apply for licensure. Medical gas endorsements require additional training/exam7.
    • Contractors: Separate licensing may be required through LSLBC depending on project value and scope5.

  • Welding (Louisiana)

    • No state welder license. Employers or projects may require AWS structural or pipe certifications, or NCCER performance verifications4. Safety cards and site-specific orientations are common.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid courses: SLCC offers general education and some theory courses online, with labs on campus. This can reduce commute and let you work while you study2.
  • Accelerated schedules: Unitech, Blue Cliff, Delta, and Aveda run cohort-based day and evening options. These short programs are designed for quick job entry23.
  • Industry certifications: Many programs embed EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA 10/30, NCCER modules, or state board prep. Ask the admissions team exactly which certs are included.
  • Credit and transfer: Community college AAS programs may stack from certificates. If you plan to ladder up, confirm which credits transfer inside SLCC or to university partners2.

How to Choose a Program

  • Verify accreditation and state approval. Check the school’s profile on College Navigator2.
  • Ask about hands-on hours. For trades like welding, HVAC, and electrical, lab time matters.
  • Confirm embedded certifications: EPA 608, NCCER, AWS, state board prep.
  • Review clinical or externship sites. Healthcare programs depend on local placements.
  • Look at outcomes: completion rate, certification pass rate, and job placement support.
  • Understand schedules: day/night, start dates, and make-up policy for labs.
  • Talk to employers. Ask which credentials they prefer in Lafayette.

Local Hiring and Pay

Skilled trades continue to show solid employment across Louisiana. BLS data point to steady or faster-than-average demand for electricians, HVAC mechanics, welders, and plumbers statewide compared to many non-technical occupations1. Wages vary by certification, overtime, and site type (industrial projects often pay premiums). Entry-level roles can grow quickly with added credentials such as NCCER and AWS14.

Next Steps

  • Explore the Louisiana state hub: Trade Schools in Louisiana
  • Compare trades and pick your path: Skilled Trades Hub
  • Get step-by-step career advice: Guides
  • Ready to visit campuses? Start with SLCC, then tour Unitech, Delta, Blue Cliff, Aveda, and Cloyd’s. Bring questions about labs, externships, and certifications.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and state employment data. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator profiles for each institution. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), accredited school directory. ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. NCCER, industry-recognized construction craft credentials. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), contractor licensing and classifications. ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification, refrigerant handling requirements. ↩

  7. Louisiana State Plumbing Board (LSPB), apprentice, journeyman, and master licensing. ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.