Best Trade Schools in Omaha, Nebraska (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Omaha. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and licensing steps in Nebraska. It also highlights the trades with steady demand and good pay potential1.

Top Trade Schools in Omaha

Below are accredited schools and registered apprenticeship centers serving the Omaha area. Program lengths are typical. Check each provider for current schedules and start dates2.

School Program Length Highlights
Metropolitan Community College (MCC) – Omaha Certificates: ~9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited (HLC). Hands‑on labs. Popular tracks: Electrical Technology, HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Diesel, Building Construction. Multiple Omaha campuses, including the Applied Technology Center2.
IBEW Local 22 / NECA Electrical Training Center (Omaha JATC) ~5 years (Inside Wireman) Registered apprenticeship. Paid on‑the‑job training plus classroom. Prepares for Nebraska Journeyman Electrician exam through the State Electrical Division3.
UA Local 464 Plumbers & Steamfitters JATC (Omaha) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in Plumbing, Pipefitting, and HVACR Service. Earn‑while‑you‑learn model. Training aligned to local licensing in Omaha and industry certifications.
ABC Nebraska/South Dakota – Omaha Apprenticeship ~2–4 years by trade Employer‑sponsored apprenticeship. Evening classes with full‑time work. Programs often follow NCCER curriculum standards for construction crafts4.
Capitol School of Hairstyling & Esthetics (Omaha) Cosmetology ~9–12 months; Esthetics ~6 months NACCAS‑accredited. State board preparation for Nebraska licensure through DHHS. Day and evening schedules available2.
Xenon Academy – Omaha Cosmetology ~12–15 months; Esthetics ~6–9 months NACCAS‑accredited. Clinic floor experience and licensure prep for Nebraska DHHS exams2.
Paul Mitchell The School – Omaha Cosmetology ~11–12 months NACCAS‑accredited. Focus on practical skills and state board readiness for Nebraska licensure2.

Tip: Apprenticeships are selective. Apply early, complete required aptitude tests, and be ready to pass a drug screen and meet safety requirements.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician Electricians keep homes and businesses running. Nebraska uses a statewide license. Training is clear and structured. Many students choose an IBEW/NECA apprenticeship or MCC coursework before testing. Job prospects remain steady, with growth tied to construction and maintenance needs1.

HVAC HVAC technicians install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Employers look for grads who can troubleshoot, read schematics, and handle refrigerants legally. EPA Section 608 is mandatory for anyone who services systems with refrigerants. Work is year‑round and peaks in summer and winter15.

Welding Welders support construction, manufacturing, and repair shops across the metro. Omaha has strong industrial employers. Entry paths include a welding certificate at MCC or employer training. Most job sites want process‑specific certifications (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) and strong safety habits1.

Plumbing Plumbers and pipefitters are essential for new builds and facility upgrades. In Omaha, licensing is managed locally. Apprenticeship with UA Local 464 is a proven path. Work includes installation, codes, brazing, and reading blueprints. Pay rises with each step of the apprenticeship and licensure level1.

Licensing Requirements in Nebraska

Electrician (Statewide – Nebraska State Electrical Division)

  • Register as an apprentice with the Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED)3.
  • Complete 8,000 hours of supervised on‑the‑job training, plus related classroom instruction.
  • Apply for and pass the Nebraska Journeyman Electrician exam.
  • Master Electrician requires additional verified experience and a separate exam.
  • Maintain continuing education for renewal as required by NSED3.

HVAC (Local licensing; refrigerant handling is federal)

  • Nebraska has no single statewide HVAC license. Omaha licenses mechanical contractors and certain trade classifications through the City’s Permits and Inspections office6.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to purchase or handle regulated refrigerants5.
  • Follow local code, permitting, and inspection rules in Omaha for installs and service work6.

Plumbing (City of Omaha)

  • Apprentice with a licensed contractor and register locally when required.
  • Accumulate required work hours and classroom time set by the City of Omaha Plumbing Board.
  • Pass the Omaha Journeyman Plumber exam. Master Plumber licensure is required to contract and pull permits6.
  • Comply with permitting and inspections for all covered work in the city6.

Welding

  • Nebraska does not issue a statewide welding license.
  • Employers may require certification to specific codes and processes. Common standards include AWS endorsements verified by employer testing. OSHA safety training is often required on job sites.

Cosmetology and Esthetics (Statewide – Nebraska DHHS)

  • Complete an approved program: Cosmetology 1,800 hours; Esthetics 600 hours; Nail Technology 300 hours.
  • Pass the Nebraska licensure exams and background checks as applicable.
  • Renew on schedule with continuing education when required by DHHS7.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training at MCC: General education and theory are often online or in blended formats. Labs and shop time meet in person for safety and hands‑on skills.
  • Apprenticeships: Most classroom instruction runs at night so you can work full time during the day. You earn a wage while you train.
  • Short programs: Cosmetology and esthetics schools in Omaha offer daytime and evening cohorts. That helps working adults and career changers.
  • Test prep: Many providers offer exam prep for the Nebraska Journeyman Electrician exam, EPA 608, and OSHA. You can often take prep online, then test in person.

How to Choose a Program

  • Verify accreditation or registration. Look up colleges on College Navigator and apprenticeship sponsors through state or local boards236.
  • Match the training to the license. If your goal is a state or city license, confirm the program prepares you for those exact exams.
  • Ask about outcomes. Completion rates, placement support, and employer partnerships matter.
  • Check schedules. Night classes, block scheduling, and multiple starts can help you finish faster.
  • Visit the labs. Strong programs have well‑maintained equipment, safety procedures, and instructors with field experience.

Next Steps

Have questions about a school on this list? Start with the state hub above, then contact the program directly. Tour the campus, ask about licensing prep, and confirm schedules.

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

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. School profiles and accreditation data for Omaha institutions. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Nebraska State Electrical Division. Licensing, apprentice registration, and exams. https://electrical.nebraska.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Curriculum and craft training standards. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩

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

  6. City of Omaha Planning Department, Permits and Inspections. Plumbing and Mechanical licensing, permits, and inspections. https://planning.cityofomaha.org/permits-and-inspections ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Board of Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art. https://dhhs.ne.gov/ ↩

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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.