Best Trade Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Grand Rapids. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, find apprenticeships, and understand Michigan licensing. Skilled trades in Michigan continue to offer steady jobs and good pay1.

Top Trade Schools in Grand Rapids

School Program Length Highlights
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years HLC-accredited public college. HVAC/R, Welding, Electrical/Mechatronics, Automotive, CDL, and Culinary (Secchia Institute). Strong employer ties and evening options2.
Dorsey College – Grand Rapids/Kentwood 9–12 months (diplomas) ACCSC-accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomy. Career services and quick-start cohorts3.
Ross Medical Education Center – Kentwood (Grand Rapids) 6–9 months (diplomas) ABHES-accredited institution. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration. Frequent daytime/evening starts2.
Empire Beauty School – Grand Rapids 10–12 months NACCAS-accredited institution listed in College Navigator. Cosmetology training with salon floor practice and state board prep2.
Paul Mitchell The School Grand Rapids 10–12 months NACCAS-accredited institution listed in College Navigator. Cosmetology and esthetics tracks; strong industry network2.
West Michigan Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 275) 5 years (apprenticeship) Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship for Inside Wireman and related tracks. Related technical instruction in Grand Rapids area. Preps for Michigan journeyman licensing4.
UA Local 174 JATC (Plumbers, Pipefitters & Service Techs) 4–5 years (apprenticeship) Paid apprenticeship with classroom and on-the-job training. Focus on piping, service, and HVAC mechanical systems. State license pathways built in45.
Sheet Metal Workers Local 7 Zone 1 Training Center 4–5 years (apprenticeship) Fabrication, HVAC ductwork, and service. Registered apprenticeship model with classroom instruction and OSHA/safety training5.

Note: Program availability can change. Confirm start dates, schedules, and admission requirements with each school. Use College Navigator to verify accreditation and program listings2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician
    • Commercial and residential construction remain active in West Michigan. Electricians benefit from steady replacement needs and ongoing building upgrades1.
  • HVAC/R Technician
    • Heating and cooling service is essential in Michigan’s climate. Technicians with EPA 608 and hands-on training see stable job openings year-round16.
  • Welder/Fabricator
    • Manufacturing, construction, and maintenance employers in the Grand Rapids area value AWS-aligned training and multi-process skills1.
  • Plumber/Pipefitter
    • Infrastructure work and industrial projects continue to support apprentices and licensed plumbers across Michigan1.

Licensing Requirements in Michigan

Plan your training around state licensing. Here are the basics for common trades.

  • Electrician (LARA – Bureau of Construction Codes)

    • Register as an electrical apprentice with LARA.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (about 4 years) under a licensed contractor and pass the state exam.
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours focused on residential work and pass the exam.
    • Master Electrician: 12,000 hours (including journeyman experience) and pass the exam.
    • Electrical Contractor license is required to operate a business4.

  • Plumbing (LARA – Bureau of Construction Codes)

    • Register as a plumbing apprentice with LARA.
    • Journeyman Plumber: 6,000 hours (minimum 3 years) and pass the exam.
    • Master Plumber: 4,000 hours as a journeyman (minimum 2 years) and pass the exam.
    • Plumbing Contractor license is required to contract plumbing work4.

  • Mechanical/HVAC (LARA – Mechanical Division)

    • Michigan licenses Mechanical Contractors by classification (e.g., HVAC equipment, refrigeration, ductwork, hydronic heating).
    • Typical path: 3 years of documented experience in each classification, apply, and pass the exam.
    • Federal EPA 608 certification is required for handling refrigerants56.

  • Cosmetology/Esthetics/Barbering (LARA – Board of Cosmetology/Barber Examiners)

    • Complete a state-approved program (e.g., 1,500 hours for Cosmetology; other hours vary by license).
    • Pass the state exams and apply through LARA’s licensing portal7.

Tip: Apprenticeships meet experience requirements while you earn. Community college and school-based programs often align their classroom hours with these state rules.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training
    • Many Grand Rapids-area programs combine online theory with in-person labs. This is common for allied health, HVAC fundamentals, welding safety, and code classes.
  • Evenings and accelerated cohorts
    • GRCC Workforce Training, Dorsey College, and Ross Medical frequently offer evening or accelerated schedules. This helps working adults and career changers.
  • Apprenticeships
    • Electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal apprenticeships provide paid on-the-job training plus weekly classroom instruction. You graduate with state-recognized experience and a direct path to licensing45.
  • Certifications that stack
    • Consider short credentials like OSHA-10/30, EPA 608, CPR/First Aid, or AWS test plates. These stack on your core program and can improve job placement6.

Next Steps

Grand Rapids has strong training options and active apprenticeship programs. Pick a school that matches your schedule, confirms accreditation, and aligns with Michigan licensing. Then talk to admissions and apply.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wages for Michigan and trade outlooks: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mi.htm and https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution and program accreditation search): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Member Directory (Dorsey College): https://www.accsc.org/ ↩

  4. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) – Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical and Plumbing Licensing: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/electrical and https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/plumbing ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. LARA – Mechanical Division (Mechanical Contractor licensing and classifications): https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/mechanical ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Management (technician certification): https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. LARA – Board of Cosmetology licensing: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hf-licensing/cosmetology ↩

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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.