Best Trade Schools in Biloxi, Mississippi (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Biloxi. Use this guide to compare program length, specialties, and accreditation. You will also see Mississippi licensing steps and the trades hiring now on the Coast. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers in the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula metro continue to see steady demand1.

Top Trade Schools in Biloxi

School Program Length Highlights
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Harrison County Campus, Gulfport) 8–16 weeks; 1–2 years Welding Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC/R, Commercial Truck Driving (ELDT/CDL), Maritime Multi-Craft. Institutional accreditation: SACSCOC2.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Jackson County Campus, Gautier) 8–16 weeks; 1–2 years Process Operations Technology, Instrumentation and Controls, Welding, Maritime programs. Institutional accreditation: SACSCOC2.
Ingalls Shipbuilding Apprentice School (Pascagoula) 2–4 years paid apprenticeship Shipfitter, Pipefitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist. Registered Apprenticeship model recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor3.
Blue Cliff College (Gulfport) 9–18 months; up to 2 years for select associate programs Allied health programs such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy. Institutional accreditation: ACCSC4.
Pearl River Community College (Hancock Center, Waveland; Poplarville) 8–16 weeks; 1–2 years Utility Lineman Technology, Welding, HVAC, Instrumentation, CDL. Institutional accreditation: SACSCOC5.
Gulfport Job Corps Center (Gulfport) 8–12 months on average Welding, Electrical, Facilities Maintenance, CNA. Tuition-free for eligible students ages 16–24. Operated by the U.S. Department of Labor.
ABC Mississippi – Gulf Coast Training (Gulfport and Pascagoula) 1–4 years, evening tracks NCCER craft training in Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry, and Welding. Earn industry-recognized credentials6.

Accreditation sources: U.S. Department of Education College Navigator for public colleges and ACCSC for Blue Cliff College7425.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Coastal construction, shipbuilding, casinos, hospitals, and base facilities keep electrical work active across Harrison and Jackson counties. Expect steady jobs in maintenance, new construction, and industrial projects. See how to become an electrician here: Electrician Trade. Outlook remains solid nationwide1.

HVAC Technician

  • Hot, humid summers and salt-air corrosion create year-round service work on the Coast. Employers value EPA 608 certification and hands-on experience with residential and light commercial systems. Learn the path: HVAC Trade. National demand is growing1.

Welder

  • Shipbuilding and repair in Pascagoula, port infrastructure, and fabrication shops support strong need for welders. NCCER and AWS process certs help you advance. Start here: Welding Trade. Demand is steady with regional hotspots in marine and industrial work1.

Plumber

  • Service, new builds, and storm-resilience retrofits drive plumbing jobs around Biloxi and Gulfport. Many techs move up into contracting after field experience. Explore the field: Plumbing Trade. Employment is stable and essential1.

Licensing Requirements in Mississippi

Mississippi uses a mix of local licenses and state contractor licensing. Always check city or county requirements for Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pascagoula. For contracting above set dollar thresholds, the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) issues licenses8.

Electrician

  • No single statewide journeyman or master electrician license. Many cities and counties require local journeyman or master exams.
  • To operate as an electrical contractor, obtain an MSBOC Residential Specialty Electrical license or a Commercial Electrical license if you bid above state thresholds. Steps include experience verification, passing trade and business law exams, financial statements, and insurance8.
  • Typical path: complete an apprenticeship or equivalent hours, earn local journeyman status where required, then apply for MSBOC contractor licensing.

HVAC

  • EPA Section 608 certification is required for anyone who services or purchases refrigerants9.
  • For business work above residential or commercial thresholds, apply to MSBOC for Mechanical/HVAC classification (residential specialty or commercial). Expect trade and law exams, insurance, and financial requirements8.
  • Many techs start with a certificate or associate degree, gain field experience, then move into contracting.

Plumbing

  • Local jurisdictions may issue journeyman and master plumber licenses. Verify with the City of Biloxi or Harrison County.
  • For contracting, obtain MSBOC Plumbing classification at the residential or commercial level. Exams, insurance, and financial review apply8.

Welding

  • No Mississippi state license for welders. Employers and job sites require process qualifications such as AWS D1.1 or NCCER performance verifications. Training programs along the Coast prepare you for these tests6.

CDL and Commercial Truck Driving

  • Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit, complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) at an approved school, pass the skills test, and apply for your Mississippi CDL through the Department of Public Safety10.
  • MGCCC and PRCC offer ELDT-aligned training through workforce programs.

Registered Apprenticeships

  • Electrical, pipefitting, machining, and shipbuilding apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, culminating in a national credential from the U.S. Department of Labor3.

Online & Flexible Options

  • MGCCC and PRCC offer hybrid formats for several technical programs. Safety, theory, and some general education can be online. Hands-on labs and practicums are in person on campus shops or training yards25.
  • Blue Cliff College schedules day and evening cohorts for select allied health programs, helpful for working adults4.
  • Fully online training works well for IT, business, and some design courses. For skilled trades, plan on in-person labs, clinicals, or skills tests to meet employer and certification standards.
  • Short workforce classes run frequently. Look for accelerated bootcamps in welding basics, HVAC troubleshooting, electrical code updates, and CDL test prep at Coast campuses.

Next Steps

Start with one or two schools above. Visit, ask about placement rates, lab hours, certifications earned, and employer partners. Pick a program that gets you licensed or certified for the job you want in Biloxi.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians, HVACR Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. College Navigator – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Mississippi%20Gulf%20Coast%20Community%20College&s=all&id=176035 ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov. https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩ ↩

  4. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. College Navigator – Pearl River Community College. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Pearl%20River%20Community%20College&s=all&id=176080 ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. NCCER, Credentials and Training. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

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

  8. Mississippi State Board of Contractors, Licensing and Classifications. https://www.msboc.us/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  10. Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Driver/Commercial ↩

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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.