Best Trade Schools in Dayton, Ohio (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Dayton. This guide covers accredited programs, apprenticeships, and OCILB licensing basics so you can train, test, and get to work. Dayton’s employers hire electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers across aerospace, manufacturing, and construction1.

Top Trade Schools in Dayton

Programs below serve Dayton and the Miami Valley. Verify current offerings, accreditation, and schedules23.

School Program Length Highlights
Sinclair Community College (Dayton) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years HLC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, and advanced manufacturing with modern labs and evening options2.
Miami Valley Career Technology Center – Adult Education 6–12+ months Adult programs in Welding, Electrical, HVAC, and trades. Evening cohorts and industry-aligned certifications.
IBEW Local 82 – Electrical JATC (Dayton) 3–5 years Registered apprenticeship for Inside Wireman/Residential. Paid OJT with strong contractor network.
UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 189/162 (regional) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR; paid training and classroom instruction.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: New construction and maintenance across the metro. Apprenticeships lead to journeyperson roles and contractor licensing1.
  • HVAC/R: Four-season service demand; EPA 608 required for refrigerants4. Controls/automation skills help with advancement.
  • Welding: Fabrication and structural roles for aerospace suppliers and construction. Multi-process quals boost employability1.
  • Plumbing: Residential/commercial service and TI work with steady demand.

Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Ohio licenses contractors at the state level through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). Some cities require local registration.

  • Electrical Contractor: Experience, OCILB exam, insurance, background check, and CE for renewals5.
  • HVAC Contractor: Experience, OCILB exam; EPA 608 for refrigerants54.
  • Plumbing Contractor: Experience, OCILB exam; local registration as applicable5.
  • Welding: No state license; employers require performance qualifications.
  • Apprenticeships: Paid training that often counts toward OCILB experience requirements6.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid theory + in-person labs at colleges.
  • Evening classes at apprenticeship JATCs.
  • Short credentials (OSHA-10/30, EPA 608) to accelerate job entry.

Next Steps

  • Compare Ohio programs: /trade-school/ohio/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National school hub: /trade-school/

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook. 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.