Best Trade Schools in Cleveland, Ohio (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Cleveland. This guide covers accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Ohio licensing steps so you can train, test, and get to work. Cleveland’s employers continue to hire in electrical, HVAC, welding, and plumbing across construction and manufacturing1.

Top Trade Schools in Cleveland

All options below serve Greater Cleveland. Program lengths are typical ranges. Confirm accreditation and current schedules before enrolling23.

School Program Length Highlights
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years MSCHE accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Automotive, and manufacturing tech. Multiple campuses; hybrid learning options2.
Cleveland Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 38) 3–5 years Registered apprenticeships for Inside Wireman and related tracks. Paid OJT plus classroom instruction; strong job placement.
UA Pipefitters Local 120 – Training Center (Cleveland) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in Pipefitting/HVACR/Welding for industrial and commercial work. Earn while you learn with comprehensive shop training.
Plumbers Local 55 – JATC (Cleveland) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in Plumbing with paid OJT and classroom hours that align to Ohio contractor requirements.
Polaris Career Center – Adult Education (Middleburg Heights) 6–12+ months Trades-related workforce programs and short-term certificates in welding, electrical, HVAC, and more. Evening options for working adults.
Auburn Career Center – Adult Workforce (Concord Township) 6–12+ months Electrical, HVAC, Welding, and Manufacturing pathways with hands-on labs and industry certifications.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Commercial TI, industrial maintenance, and residential service create steady openings. Apprenticeships build experience toward contractor licensing1.
  • HVAC/R: Year-round service in Northeast Ohio’s climate. EPA Section 608 is required for refrigerants4. Controls skills are increasingly valuable.
  • Welding: Fabrication and structural projects across the metro. Certifications in SMAW/GMAW/GTAW boost pay and mobility1.
  • Plumbing: Residential/commercial service and construction. Apprenticeships plus OCILB contractor licensing support long-term growth.

Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Ohio licenses contractors at the state level for the core mechanical trades through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). Municipalities may also require local registration for contractors and installers.

  • Electrical Contractor: Meet experience requirements, pass the OCILB exam, carry liability insurance, complete a background check, and maintain continuing education5.
  • HVAC Contractor: Experience + OCILB exam, insurance, and background check. EPA Section 608 is required for refrigerants54.
  • Plumbing Contractor: Experience + OCILB exam, insurance, and background check. Some cities require additional registration5.
  • Welding: No state license. Employers or project owners may require AWS or code-specific performance qualifications.
  • Apprenticeships: Paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction; completion often counts toward experience requirements for state contractor licensing6.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid community college certificates and AAS paths with lab blocks on campus.
  • Evening classroom schedules at apprenticeship JATCs support full-time work.
  • Short credentials (OSHA-10/30, EPA 608) stack with long-form training for faster hiring.

Next Steps

Pick two training programs and one apprenticeship to contact this week. Ask about start dates, hands-on lab hours, and how the program maps to OCILB contractor licensing.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC/R, Plumbing, Welding). bls.gov/ooh ↩ ↩ ↩

  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 ↩ ↩

  5. Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance/ocilb ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Apprenticeship.gov — U.S. Department of Labor. apprenticeship.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.