Best Trade Schools in Independence, Missouri (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Independence–Kansas City East. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Missouri licensing basics for core trades1.

Top Trade Schools in Independence

Verify current offerings and accreditation23.

School Program Length Highlights
Metropolitan Community College (KC) – Blue River/Longview Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years HLC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, and Automotive; employer ties2.
IBEW Local 124 – Electrical JATC (Kansas City) 3–5 years Registered electrical apprenticeship; paid OJT + classroom instruction.
UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 533 – Training (Kansas City) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR; paid training and certifications.

Licensing in Missouri

Licensing is often local; verify city/county rules.

  • Electrical/HVAC/Plumbing Contractors: Local registrations and exams vary.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 required for refrigerants4.
  • Welding: No state license; employers/jurisdictions require performance quals.

Next Steps

  • Compare MO programs: /trade-school/missouri/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National resources: /trade-school/

Tour labs, confirm accreditation, and map training to local licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas City Metro. bls.gov/oes ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory. accsc.org ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. epa.gov/section608 ↩

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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.