Best Trade Schools in Toledo, Ohio (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Toledo. This guide compares accredited programs, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Ohio licensing. If you want a faster path to a solid career, these options can help you start in under two years in many fields. Pay and demand are strong for electricians, HVAC, welders, and plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics¹²³⁴.

Top Trade Schools in Toledo

Below are accredited colleges and registered apprenticeship programs serving the Toledo area. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current schedules and start dates⁵⁶⁷.

School	Program Length	Highlights
Owens Community College – Toledo and Perrysburg	1 to 2 years	HLC-accredited public college. Certificates and AAS in Electrical, HVACR, Welding, Automotive, and Diesel. Modern labs and evening options. Stackable certificates lead to degrees⁵.
Stautzenberger College – Maumee	10 to 18 months diplomas, 18 to 24 months associate	ACCSC-accredited. Hands-on HVAC/R and other technical diplomas. Small classes and career services support. Fast-track schedules available⁶.
Penta Career Center – Adult & Continuing Education (Perrysburg)	9 to 12 months, short-term bootcamps	COE-accredited adult education. Welding, HVAC-R, and Electrical programs. Evening sections and industry cert prep like EPA 608 and NCCER⁵.
Terra State Community College – Fremont	1 to 2 years	HLC-accredited. HVAC/R, Power and Controls, Robotics-Integrated Manufacturing, and Welding. Strong employer partnerships and co-ops⁵.
Northwest State Community College – Archbold	1 to 2 years	HLC-accredited. Industrial Electrician, HVACR, Mechatronics, CNC/Machining, and Maintenance. Apprenticeship pathways with area employers⁵.
Toledo Electrical JATC – IBEW Local 8 (Toledo)	5 years	Registered Inside Wireman apprenticeship. Earn while you learn with paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction. Journeyman credential on completion⁷.
UA Local 50 Plumbers, Steamfitters & HVACR JATC – Northwood	4 to 5 years	Registered apprenticeship. Training in plumbing, pipefitting, welding, and HVACR service. Wages and benefits during training⁷.

Tip: Community colleges and adult education centers often align courses to industry certifications like NCCER, OSHA-10/30, and EPA Section 608 for refrigerants. Ask admissions which credentials are embedded.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Electricians keep power, lighting, and controls running in homes, shops, and plants. National median pay is strong and jobs are steady with construction and manufacturing demand¹. Many Toledo projects need industrial maintenance and controls technicians.

HVAC/R Technician

HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Work is year-round with service calls, retrofits, and new construction. EPA 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants²⁸. Median pay is solid with extra earning potential from overtime and on-call work².

Welder

Welders join and repair metal structures, pipelines, and equipment. Northwest Ohio manufacturers value MIG, TIG, and flux-cored skills. AWS certifications help you qualify for better work. Median wages improve with multi-process skill and fabrication experience³.

Plumber and Pipefitter

Plumbers and pipefitters install water, waste, steam, and process piping. Industrial facilities around Toledo rely on skilled pipe trades. National median pay is strong and work outlook is steady, especially for those who complete apprenticeships⁴.

Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Ohio licenses contractors at the state level for several trades. Local municipalities may have additional registration rules. Here are the basics.

Electrician

Ohio does not issue a statewide journeyman electrician card. Many cities and counties have local journeyman rules.
To run an electrical business, you need an Electrical Contractor license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB).
Typical contractor steps: meet experience requirement, pass trade and business law exams, provide insurance and background check, apply to OCILB⁹.
Recommended: complete an apprenticeship like the Toledo Electrical JATC or earn a college certificate, then gain supervised experience before applying.

HVAC

HVAC Contractor licenses are issued by OCILB. No statewide journeyman card.
Steps: verify 5 years of experience or equivalent, pass exams, carry liability insurance, maintain workers’ comp if applicable⁹.
EPA Section 608 certification is mandatory for refrigerant work nationwide⁸.

Plumbing

Plumbing Contractor licenses are issued by OCILB. Most techs start in registered apprenticeships or learn under a licensed contractor.
Steps: document experience, pass trade and business exams, meet insurance and background requirements⁹.

Welding

Ohio does not require a state welder license.
Employers often require American Welding Society (AWS) certifications matched to the job code. Training programs and JATCs help you test to AWS standards.

Registered Apprenticeships

Union JATCs and many employers sponsor apprenticeships registered with ApprenticeshipOhio. You earn wages while training, complete classroom hours, and progress by competency. Graduates receive a recognized completion credential⁷.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid programs are common. Many technical courses meet on campus for labs and use online modules for theory. Owens, Terra State, and Northwest State offer evening or accelerated terms for working adults⁵.
Short-term bootcamps help you upskill quickly. Penta Adult Ed runs focused welding and electrical courses designed around employer needs⁵.
Certification prep can be online. EPA 608 exam prep and safety courses are widely available. Confirm your program includes test fees or scheduling support⁸.
If you work full-time, ask about credit for prior learning, military experience, and employer-sponsored apprenticeships. Colleges often award credits for industry certifications.

Next Steps

Compare state-wide options: visit the Ohio hub at Trade Schools in Ohio.
Explore careers and training paths: go to the Trades Hub.
Read step-by-step guides: check our Guides.
Learn more about specific trades:
New to this? Start at the main Trade School hub to plan your timeline and applications.

Footnotes

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Electricians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm ↩ ↩
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/hvacr-technicians.htm ↩ ↩ ↩
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm ↩ ↩
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – Institutional profiles and accreditation for Ohio public and private career schools. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – Accredited Institutions Directory, including Stautzenberger College. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩
ApprenticeshipOhio – Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Registered Apprenticeship. https://apprenticeship.ohio.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩
Ohio Department of Commerce – Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) Contractor Licensing. https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance/ocilb ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.