Best Trade Schools in Boston, Massachusetts (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 Boston. This guide compares accredited options, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Massachusetts licensing. It is for high school grads and career changers who want job-focused training in 2025. Use it with our state hub at /trade-school/massachusetts/ and trade hub at /trades/.

Top Trade Schools in Boston

Name Program Length Highlights
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Boston) Certificates 9–12 months; A.S. degrees 2 years NECHE-accredited; strong labs for HVAC&R, Electrical Technology, Automotive; employer and union partnerships; day/evening options1
North Bennet Street School (Boston) 9 months to 2 years ACCSC-accredited; hands-on craft trades like Carpentry, Cabinet & Furniture Making, Jewelry Making, Locksmithing, Piano Technology; small cohorts and master instructors2
Porter and Chester Institute (Canton, Woburn) Diplomas ~9–12 months ACCSC-accredited; Electrical Technology and HVACR programs aligned with MA code and licensing prep; job placement support; hybrid learning options2
Universal Technical Institute (Norwood) 35–51 weeks typical ACCSC-accredited; Automotive and Diesel programs; manufacturer-aligned training; extensive lab time; employer recruiting on campus2
Peterson School (Woburn, Westwood) Courses vary by license prep (weeks to months) State-licensed occupational school; HVACR, Refrigeration, Oil Burner, Gas Fitter, Stationary Engineering exam prep; evening schedules for working adults
IBEW Local 103 Electrical JATC (Dorchester) 5-year apprenticeship Registered MA apprenticeship; paid on-the-job training plus classroom hours toward Journeyman Electrician license; tuition-free model3
UA Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12 Training Center (Dorchester) 5-year apprenticeship Registered MA apprenticeship; paid training leading to Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter; classroom hours meet state requirements43
Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 Training Center (Boston area) 4–5 year apprenticeship Registered MA apprenticeship; HVAC ductwork, fabrication, and service training; industry certifications; paid OJT3

Tip: Community colleges around Greater Boston also offer strong trade certificates and associate degrees. Use College Navigator to verify program lists and accreditation1.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Steady construction and clean energy projects keep demand strong across the Boston metro5. Apprentices earn while they learn, and licensed Journeymen and Masters command premium pay in union and non-union shops.

HVAC/R

  • Boston’s extremes in winter and summer, plus commercial biotech and healthcare facilities, create year-round work in install, service, and controls. EPA 608 certification is standard and adds value56.

Welding

  • Fabrication, construction, ship repair, and infrastructure work drive hiring. AWS or ASME certifications help land structural and pipe jobs. Specialized roles tied to pressure vessels can require additional approvals in Massachusetts5.

Plumbing

  • New builds, renovations, and code-driven replacements keep plumbing and gasfitting busy. Apprenticeships lead to Journeyman and Master licensing with excellent wage potential in the Boston area54.

Boston-area wages for skilled trades are generally above national averages according to BLS data5. Your earnings depend on credentials, union status, and overtime.

Explore careers and training paths:

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Electrician (Board of State Examiners of Electricians)

  • Register as an apprentice and work under a licensed electrician.
  • Complete 8,000 hours of supervised experience and 600 hours of approved classroom instruction for Journeyman.
  • Pass the MA Journeyman exam; apply for licensure.
  • For Master Electrician: complete additional experience and education hours; pass the Master exam7.

HVAC/R and Related Credentials

  • Refrigeration Technician/Contractor: Massachusetts licenses refrigeration pros. Typical path includes documented work experience plus approved coursework and passing the state exam8.
  • EPA Section 608: Required for anyone who handles regulated refrigerants (Type I, II, III, or Universal)6.
  • Oil Burner Technician: State license through Department of Fire Services; many HVAC schools offer exam prep.
  • Gas Fitter: Licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters; often pursued alongside plumbing4.

Plumber and Gasfitter (Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters)

  • Enter a registered apprenticeship.
  • Complete required on-the-job hours and tiered classroom instruction for Journeyman.
  • Pass the Journeyman exam; apply for licensure.
  • Accumulate further experience/education to sit for the Master exam43.

Welding

  • No general state welding license for most structural work. Employers commonly require AWS D1.1 or related certifications. Pressure vessel and certain pipeline work can require project-specific or jurisdictional approvals5. See AWS for certification options9.

Apprenticeships

  • Many trades use registered apprenticeships. In Massachusetts, apprenticeships are registered with the Division of Apprentice Standards. You earn a wage while completing classroom training toward licensure3.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid programs: Schools like Porter & Chester and UTI use blended learning for theory with in-person labs for hands-on skills. This cuts commute time while meeting practical training needs.
  • Evenings and weekends: Peterson School and some college certificate programs offer night classes to fit full-time work.
  • Apprenticeships: Paid, long-term training with set classroom nights. These meet Massachusetts licensing education requirements while you work.
  • What cannot be online: Core hands-on labs and state-required shop competencies must be completed in person. Massachusetts also limits how pre-licensure hours are delivered in some trades. Ask each school how its format maps to state requirements and exams.

Next Steps

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory. https://www.accsc.org/school-directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Standards. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-apprentice-standards ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-state-examiners-of-plumbers-and-gas-fitters ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH, May 2023. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_14460.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  7. Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians, Licensing. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-state-examiners-of-electricians ↩

  8. Massachusetts Board of Examiners of Refrigeration Technicians. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-examiners-of-refrigeration-technicians ↩

  9. American Welding Society (AWS), Certification. https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩

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.

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.