Best Trade Schools in Detroit, Michigan (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Detroit. This page lists accredited options, what they teach, how long programs take, and the steps to get licensed in Michigan. Skilled trades are in steady demand across the Detroit metro, and wages are competitive for graduates who earn industry credentials1.

Top Trade Schools in Detroit

The schools below are regionally or nationally accredited and offer hands-on training in high-demand trades. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current schedules and start dates.

School Program Length Highlights
Wayne County Community College District (Detroit) 1–2 years HLC accredited; multiple Detroit campuses; electrical technology, HVACR, welding, automotive, and building trades; strong union and employer pathways; day and evening options2
Henry Ford College (Dearborn) 1–2 years HLC accredited; HVACR, welding, electrical, advanced manufacturing, mechatronics; modern labs; stackable certificates that lead to an AAS2
Macomb Community College (Warren) 1–2 years HLC accredited; large welding and machining centers; CNC, industrial maintenance, construction; apprenticeship partnerships with area manufacturers2
Oakland Community College (Auburn Hills, Royal Oak) 1–2 years HLC accredited; HVACR, controls, electrical, welding; prep for NATE, OSHA, and EPA 608 exams; flexible course scheduling2
Schoolcraft College (Livonia) 1–2 years HLC accredited; welding fabrication, electrical tech, robotics and mechatronics; short-term certificates for quick entry to work2
Dorsey College (Madison Heights, Dearborn) 9–12 months ACCSC accredited; HVAC systems technician training; hands-on labs; EPA 608 prep; career services support3
Northwestern Technological Institute (Southfield) ~10 months ACCSC accredited; focused HVAC/R program; day and evening cohorts; EPA 608 and industry certification prep3
MIAT College of Technology, a UTI school (Canton) 9–24 months ACCSC accredited; HVACR, energy tech, wind energy, aviation maintenance; accelerated programs with employer connections3

Tip: Community colleges above are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and often have transferable college credit2. Private career colleges listed are ACCSC accredited and focus on faster, career-specific training3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Detroit’s building rehabs, infrastructure work, and EV-related manufacturing keep demand strong for licensed electricians1.
  • Schools listed above offer electrical technology coursework or pathways that align with apprenticeships.
  • Median pay is competitive, and experienced electricians can move into master and contractor roles with higher earnings1.
  • Learn more about the career path at Electrician.

HVAC/R Technician

  • HVAC techs support residential retrofits, large commercial systems, and industrial facilities across Metro Detroit.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants. Many programs integrate this prep.
  • Employers value hands-on lab experience, familiarity with controls, and comfort with preventive maintenance routines1.
  • Explore the field at HVAC.

Welder

  • Welding skills fit automotive, fabrication, construction, shipyard, and maintenance roles in Southeast Michigan.
  • Entry-level welders can stack American Welding Society certifications to access higher pay and specialized work1.
  • Training often covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and blueprint reading.
  • See training options at Welding.

Plumber

  • Ongoing commercial projects and residential rehab drive steady hiring for licensed plumbers in the Detroit region.
  • Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom instruction and lead to journeyman and master licenses1.
  • Learn the path at Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Michigan

Electrical Licensing – Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes4

  • Apprentice: Register with LARA while you gain supervised experience under a licensed electrical contractor.
  • Journeyman Electrician: Accumulate 8,000 hours of experience over at least 4 years, then pass the state exam.
  • Master Electrician: Document qualifying experience at the journeyman level and pass the master exam.
  • Electrical Contractor: Separate business license required to contract for work. A master electrician must be associated with the company.

Plumbing Licensing – Michigan LARA, Plumbing Division4

  • Apprentice: Register with LARA and work under a licensed plumber.
  • Journeyman Plumber: Typically 4 years and 8,000 hours of experience, then pass the state exam.
  • Master Plumber: Additional verified experience as a journeyman, then pass the master exam.
  • Plumbing Contractor: Separate business license for those who engage in contracting.

Mechanical/HVAC Licensing – Michigan LARA, Mechanical Division4

  • Mechanical Apprentice: Register with LARA if you are learning the trade on the job.
  • Mechanical Contractor: Michigan licenses contractors by classification such as HVAC, Refrigeration, Ductwork, Hydronic, and others. Document experience in each classification and pass the state exams.
  • EPA 608: Federal certification required for anyone who purchases or handles refrigerants.

Welding Credentials – Industry Certifications

  • Michigan does not license welders at the state level. Employers commonly require AWS certifications aligned to the work you will perform.
  • Boiler or pressure vessel work may require additional state credentials through LARA’s Boiler Division4.

Good to know: Many Detroit-area employers prefer candidates who complete an accredited program and hold OSHA-10/30 and EPA 608 cards, then continue to a registered apprenticeship for licensing.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid formats: Community colleges like Henry Ford, Oakland, Macomb, Schoolcraft, and WCCCD often deliver theory online with labs on campus. This helps working adults balance schedules2.
  • Accelerated training: ACCSC-accredited options such as Dorsey College, Northwestern Tech, and MIAT offer focused programs that can be completed in months, not years3.
  • Night and weekend cohorts: Several schools on this list run evening or weekend labs to fit work schedules.
  • Certification prep: Look for programs that embed EPA 608, OSHA 10, NCCER modules, or AWS test practice. These stackable credentials can speed job placement.

How to choose:

  • Verify accreditation and program outcomes on College Navigator2.
  • Confirm the program aligns with Michigan licensing steps listed above.
  • Ask about employer partners, apprenticeship bridges, and pass rates for state or industry exams.

Next Steps

If you are ready to visit campuses, bring questions about scheduling, hands-on lab hours, certifications included, and job placement support. Detroit has strong options for both fast training and degree pathways. Pick a program that matches your timeline and the Michigan license you plan to earn.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and Metro Employment/Wage data for construction and maintenance trades, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator, institutional profiles for listed community colleges and programs, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions for Dorsey College, MIAT College of Technology, and Northwestern Technological Institute, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes – Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Boiler licensing pages, 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.