Best Trade Schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota (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 Minneapolis. This guide compares accredited programs, program lengths, and specialties. It also covers Minnesota licensing so you know the exact steps to get licensed. Demand for skilled trades remains strong in the Twin Cities¹.

Top Trade Schools in Minneapolis

All schools below are institutionally accredited and listed in U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator².

School	Program Length	Highlights
Dunwoody College of Technology (Minneapolis)	1–2 years (certificate, AAS)	Hands-on labs for electrical construction, HVACR, welding, robotics, and automotive. Strong employer partnerships. HLC accredited. Day and evening options.
Minneapolis College (MCTC)	1–2 years	HVACR, welding and metal fabrication, machine tooling/CNC, automotive. Urban campus near transit. HLC accredited.
Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie)	1–2 years	Electrical construction and maintenance, plumbing, HVACR, welding, carpentry, auto body. Multiple start dates. HLC accredited.
Saint Paul College (Saint Paul)	1–2 years	Electrical technology, plumbing, HVACR, welding, carpentry, cabinetmaking. Apprenticeship pathways. HLC accredited.
Anoka Technical College (Anoka)	1–2 years	Construction electricity, welding, machine trades, mechatronics, biomedical equipment. Small class sizes. HLC accredited.
Dakota County Technical College (Rosemount)	1–2 years	HVAC and refrigeration, welding, heavy construction equipment, auto and heavy truck, concrete and masonry. HLC accredited.
Century College (White Bear Lake)	1–2 years	HVACR technician, solar and energy systems, facilities maintenance, fabrication. Flexible lab schedules. HLC accredited.

Tip: Visit each program’s page for cohort start dates and course sequencing. Campus tours are worth it if you want to see labs and meet instructors².

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Electricians install and maintain power, lighting, and controls in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. In the Twin Cities, employers hire year-round on commercial and multifamily projects. Apprenticeships help you earn while you learn. BLS data shows steady employment and solid wages for electricians in metro areas¹. Learn the path on our electrician hub: /trades/electrician

HVAC Technician

HVAC techs service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Minnesota’s cold winters and hot summers keep HVAC work steady. Many entry roles require an EPA Section 608 credential for refrigerants. BLS data shows consistent openings tied to retrofit and energy efficiency work¹. Explore HVAC training and certifications: /trades/hvac

Welder

Welders work in fabrication, manufacturing, construction, and repair. The Minneapolis metro has employers in metal fabrication, custom manufacturing, and construction. Night shift and overtime are common during peak demand. Combining welding with machining or inspection can boost pay¹. See welding career paths and certs: /trades/welding

Plumber

Plumbers install and repair water, waste, and gas piping. Minneapolis construction and service work both need journey-level workers. Apprenticeship is the most common entry. BLS data shows reliable demand and strong hourly rates for licensed plumbers¹. Learn the Minnesota pathway: /trades/plumbing

Licensing Requirements in Minnesota

Electrician licensing (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

Choose a path: registered unlicensed electrician, then apprentice. Complete required hours under a licensed contractor. Typical totals are 8,000 hours for journeyman electrician and 7,000 hours for residential journeyman, with hours across specific work categories³.
Apply for the exam through Minnesota DLI. Pass the state exam and submit license application and fees³.
Maintain CEU hours each renewal cycle as required by the board³.

Plumber licensing (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

Register as an unlicensed plumber and work under a licensed contractor. Complete about 7,000 hours of documented experience over four years for journeyworker plumber eligibility³.
Apply for and pass the state journeyworker exam. Upgrade to master after additional documented experience and a master exam³.
Complete required continuing education for renewal³.

HVAC/Refrigeration

Minnesota does not issue a single statewide HVAC mechanic license. Local jurisdictions may require contractor registration or permits for mechanical work. Check Minneapolis requirements before you start a project.
Anyone who services or purchases regulated refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 Technician Certification⁴.
Many employers prefer factory training or industry certifications in hydronics, air balancing, or energy controls.

Welding

Minnesota does not license welders at the state level. Employers often require performance qualifications to AWS or NCCER standards for specific processes and positions. Community and technical colleges help students test to these standards⁵.

General notes

Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom learning. Many pathways use a 2,000-hours-per-year benchmark to track progress.
Background checks, drug tests, a valid driver’s license, and reliable transportation are common employer requirements.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid formats: Local colleges increasingly blend online theory with in-person labs for HVAC, electrical code, safety, blueprint reading, and math. This cuts campus time while preserving hands-on practice.
Evening or weekend cohorts: Popular for working adults. Ask about rotating lab blocks and accelerated 8-week modules.
Prior learning credit: If you have military experience, industry certifications, or on-the-job hours, ask about credit for prior learning or advanced standing.
Short certificates: Many programs stack. You can earn a 1–2 semester certificate first, get hired, and later return for an AAS.
Exam prep: Colleges and union JATCs often run NEC code updates, EPA 608 prep, and brazing or welding test prep aligned to employer needs⁴⁵.

If you prefer a full list of programs by trade, use our trade hub: /trades/

Next Steps

Compare programs statewide
Explore all skilled trades and career paths
Read step-by-step guides and checklists
If you are ready to visit campuses, start with Dunwoody, Hennepin Technical, and Saint Paul College. Ask about lab time, instructor credentials, employer partners, and placement rates. Confirm accreditation and licensure alignment for your trade on College Navigator and the state board websites²³.

Footnotes

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and OEWS data for Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC/R Technicians, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Licensing and Exams for Electrical and Plumbing. https://www.dli.mn.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩
NCCER, Industry-recognized credentials and craft training. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Best Electrician Schools in Minnesota

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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.