Best Trade Schools in Erie, Pennsylvania (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Erie. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Pennsylvania licensing basics1.

Top Trade Schools in Erie

Verify current offerings and accreditation23.

School Program Length Highlights
Erie Institute of Technology 9–18 months ACCSC accredited3. Technical diplomas; confirm current trades offerings.
Fortis Institute – Erie 9–18 months ACCSC accredited3. HVAC/R and allied programs with hands-on labs; EPA 608 prep.
Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 – Adult Ed 6–12+ months Adult workforce training; check welding/electrical/HVAC offerings and schedules.
IBEW Local 56 – Electrical JATC (Erie) 3–5 years Registered electrical apprenticeship; paid OJT + classroom instruction.

Licensing in Pennsylvania

  • Electrical/HVAC/Plumbing Contractors: Local registrations and exams vary by municipality.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 required for refrigerants4.
  • Welding: No state license; employers/jurisdictions require performance quals.

Next Steps

  • Compare PA programs: /trade-school/pennsylvania/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National resources: /trade-school/

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Erie 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 ↩

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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.