Best Trade Schools in Beaumont, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Beaumont. This page compares accredited local programs, apprenticeship options, and Texas licensing steps. Beaumont–Port Arthur’s refineries and plants create steady demand for electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and pipefitters1.

Top Trade Schools in Beaumont

Name Typical Program Length Highlights
Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont) 1-year Certificates; 2-year AAS Public, SACSCOC accredited. Strong for Air Conditioning Technology, Instrumentation, Process Technology, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, EMT/Paramedic. Day and evening options. Local employer partnerships2.
Lamar State College Port Arthur (Port Arthur) 1-year Certificates; 2-year AAS Public, SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC/R, Process Technology, Cosmetology, Medical Assisting. Continuing education for CDL truck driving and safety courses2.
Lamar State College Orange (Orange) 1-year Certificates; 2-year AAS Public, SACSCOC accredited. Instrumentation Technology, Industrial Systems, Process Technology, Welding, Nursing pathways. Hands-on labs geared to petrochemical careers2.
Texas Healthtech Institute (Beaumont) 9–12 month Diplomas Private career school, COE accredited. Programs commonly include Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, and HVAC/R. Day and evening schedules for working adults2.
Southeast Texas Electrical JATC (Beaumont) 5-year Apprenticeship IBEW-NECA apprenticeship. Paid on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction for Inside Wireman. Pathway to Texas journeyman licensure with supervised hours3.
ABC Southeast Texas Craft Training Center (Nederland) 1–4 year Craft Training NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor. Evening training for Welding, Electrical, Pipefitting, Millwright, Instrumentation. Employer-backed training aligned to industrial jobs4.

Tip: Public colleges above appear in U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator. Apprenticeship and craft training entries are industry-recognized and align with state licensing paths243.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Industrial and construction electricians are consistently needed around refineries, terminals, and new commercial builds. Apprentices start earning while they learn. Electrician jobs are projected to grow at a steady pace nationally, with solid wages and frequent overtime opportunities in industrial settings1. See how the licensing path works: Explore Electrician careers.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Southeast Texas heat plus commercial facilities keep HVAC techs busy year-round. Refrigeration skills add value in petrochemical and food sectors. National demand is projected to grow steadily, and EPA Section 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants1. Learn more about the field and certifications: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas.

  • Welding

    • Beaumont’s fabrication shops, shipyards, and plant turnarounds rely on welders and fitters. Structural, pipe, and TIG skills are prized. Many employers prefer AWS or NCCER credentials and will test on-site. Short-term upskilling is common between shutdowns1. Compare welding pathways: Explore Welding careers.

  • Plumbing and Pipefitting

    • Process facilities and commercial construction create steady work for plumbers and pipefitters. Apprenticeship is the fastest route to experience and licensing in Texas. Specialized endorsements, like medical gas, can boost pay1. Start here: Explore Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician licensing (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation)3

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR and work under a licensed contractor.
  • Accumulate 8,000 hours of supervised experience for Journeyman Electrician. Classroom hours from a JATC or school can help.
  • Apply, pass the state exam, and obtain your Journeyman license. Complete required continuing education each renewal.
  • Advance to Master Electrician with additional experience, then to Electrical Contractor if you plan to run a business.

HVAC licensing (TDLR)3

  • Work as a Registered Technician under a licensed HVAC contractor to build experience.
  • To become a Licensed HVAC Contractor, document 48 months of practical experience under a licensed contractor, or 24 months with an approved degree, choose Class A or B, pass the state exam, and maintain insurance.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants5.

Plumbing licensing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners)6

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE and train under a licensed plumber.
  • Tradesman-Limited: 4,000 hours and pass the exam. Journeyman: 8,000 hours and pass the exam.
  • Master Plumber requires additional experience and examination. Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) status is required to operate a plumbing business.

Welding in Texas

  • No state welder license. Employers and owners set requirements. Common credentials include AWS D1.1 structural, ASME pipe, or NCCER performance verifications. Many Beaumont industrial sites also require a TWIC card for secure facilities4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges with hybrid formats. Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Port Arthur, and Lamar State College Orange offer hybrid and evening options in many technical programs for working students2.
  • Apprenticeships with evening classes. The Southeast Texas Electrical JATC schedules classroom training on weeknights, while apprentices earn full-time wages on job sites3.
  • NCCER craft training after work. ABC Southeast Texas runs evening craft training so you can keep your day job while you upskill in welding, electrical, instrumentation, and pipe trades4.
  • General education online. Many required academic courses for AAS degrees are available online through the public colleges, shortening your weekly campus time2.

Tips to choose:

  • Match the program to the license. Electrician and HVAC students should confirm that training aligns with TDLR requirements.
  • Ask about employer partners. In Beaumont, programs tied to refineries, maintenance contractors, and turnaround crews lead to faster job offers.
  • Verify accreditation and approvals. Public colleges are regionally accredited. Look for NCCER for craft training, and confirm Texas board approvals for licensed trades2436.

Next Steps

Have questions about a specific license or program fit? Start with the trade overviews above, then contact the school’s admissions or the state board for the most current requirements.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2025 editions for Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Welders, and Plumbers. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Entries for Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Port Arthur, Lamar State College Orange, and Texas Healthtech Institute. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Electrician and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration licensing requirements and continuing education. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. NCCER, Accredited Training Sponsor and Assessment Center directories (ABC Southeast Texas Craft Training Center). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification for handling refrigerants. ↩

  6. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE): Apprentice registration and licensing pathways for Tradesman-Limited, Journeyman, and Master Plumber. ↩ ↩

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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.