Best Trade Schools in Syracuse, New York (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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 Syracuse. This page highlights accredited programs, apprenticeships, and New York licensing basics. Central New York offers strong options in electrical, HVAC, welding, and plumbing1.

Top Trade Schools in Syracuse

Programs below serve Onondaga County. Confirm current offerings and accreditation23.

School Program Length Highlights
Onondaga Community College (Syracuse) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years MSCHE accredited. Advanced manufacturing, HVAC-related, and technical programs with strong labs2.
OCM BOCES Adult Education (Syracuse) 6–12+ months NYSED-approved adult programs in Welding, HVAC, Electrical, and more; evening options.
IBEW Local 43 – Electrical JATC (Syracuse) 3–5 years Registered electrical apprenticeship; paid OJT + classroom instruction.
UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 267 – Training (Syracuse) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR; paid training and certifications.

Licensing in New York

Licensing is local for many construction trades. Always verify with your municipality.

  • Electrician: Local licensing/registration; typical path is apprenticeship/experience + local exams; business registration/insurance to contract.
  • Plumbing: Local licensing for Journeyman/Master; gas work may require additional qualifications.
  • HVAC/R: No statewide tech license; EPA 608 required for refrigerants4. Some jurisdictions require mechanical contractor registration.
  • Welding: No statewide welder license; employers/jurisdictions require performance qualifications.

Next Steps

  • Compare NY programs: /trade-school/new-york/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National school hub: /trade-school/

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Syracuse 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 ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.