Best Trade Schools in Galveston, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Galveston. Use this page to compare accredited programs, understand Texas licensing, and see which trades are paying well in 20251. Every school below offers hands-on training and recognized credentials, with schedule options for both high school grads and career changers.

Top Trade Schools in Galveston

School Program Length Highlights
College of the Mainland (Texas City) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Public community college; SACSCOC accredited; HVAC/R, Welding, Process Technology, Electrical/Instrumentation; day and evening options; strong placement with refineries and plants nearby2.
Galveston College (Galveston) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Public community college in-town; SACSCOC accredited; Welding Technology and other workforce certificates aligned to port and healthcare employers; small class sizes2.
San Jacinto College (multiple campuses; Maritime Campus in La Porte) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years; short USCG-approved courses SACSCOC accredited; system-wide HVAC, Welding, Pipefitting, Process Tech; Maritime campus offers USCG-approved credentials for deck, tankerman, and maritime operations2.
Alvin Community College (Alvin) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited; Welding, Process Technology, Machining/CNC; weekend and evening sections are common; strong industry partnerships in Brazoria and Galveston counties2.
Lee College (Baytown) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited; Instrumentation, Electrical, Pipefitting, Welding, Process Tech; robust petrochemical training labs; apprenticeship pathways with local employers2.
Universal Technical Institute – Houston 9–12 months typical ACCSC accredited; Automotive and Diesel technician training with manufacturer-aligned labs; career services and employer recruiting on campus3.
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center – Houston 7–10 months typical ACCSC accredited; Professional Welder, Electrical Applications, and HVAC/R; accelerated, skills-first training; day or evening schedules3.
Fortis College – Houston North 9–12 months typical ACCSC accredited; HVAC/R technician training; hybrid classroom and lab; career services support and certification prep3.

Program availability can change. Confirm current offerings and institutional accreditation on College Navigator and school accreditors before you enroll23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians keep the Gulf Coast’s ports, plants, and hospitals running. Training prepares you to install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems. Median pay was about 1,590 nationally in 2023, with steady demand projected this decade1. If you like problem-solving and working with your hands, electrical is a solid choice with clear licensing steps in Texas.

HVAC/R Technician

  • HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes, ships, and commercial sites. New construction, retrofits, and high summer heat drive service calls in coastal Texas. National median pay was around 7,300 in 2023, and EPA 608 certification is standard for handling refrigerants1.

Welder

  • Welding skills are needed in shipyards, fabrication shops, pipelines, refineries, and construction. Training focuses on processes like SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW, plus safety and blueprint reading. National median pay was about 8,940 in 2023, with overtime common on shutdowns and turnarounds1. Employers often value AWS or NCCER credentials for verification of skills.

Plumber

  • Plumbers install and repair piping systems for water, gas, and waste, and work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Pay is strong for licensed tradespeople, with national median wages near 1,550 in 20231. The Texas licensing ladder creates clear milestones from apprentice to master.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation – TDLR)4

  • Register as an Apprentice Electrician with TDLR.
  • Accumulate required experience:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours under a licensed master.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours under a licensed master.
  • Apply and pass the state exam for your license level.
  • Master Electrician typically requires holding a Journeyman license and documented experience.
  • Complete approved continuing education at each renewal.

HVAC/R (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration) – TDLR4

  • If you perform work under a contractor, register as an ACR Technician.
  • To operate as an ACR Contractor (Class A or B), document required practical experience, pass the state exam, carry required insurance, and apply to TDLR.
  • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants (required by federal law)5.
  • Complete continuing education for renewal.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners – TSBPE)6

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice to begin counting hours.
  • Tradesman-Limited License: 4,000 hours and pass the exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours and pass the exam.
  • Master Plumber: hold a Journeyman license for the required time, meet experience criteria, and pass the exam.
  • Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) endorsement is required to operate a plumbing business.
  • Continuing education is required for renewal.

Welding

  • Texas does not license welders at the state level.
  • Employers and project owners may require industry credentials such as AWS Certified Welder or NCCER Welding certifications7.
  • Many programs include certification test prep and performance qualification tests (WQTs).

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges in the Galveston area offer hybrid formats. Expect theory online and labs on campus. Evening and weekend sections are common for working adults.
  • Accelerated skills schools in Houston offer day or evening cohorts to complete welding, HVAC/R, electrical applications, or automotive in under a year.
  • For trades with required hands-on proficiencies, fully online completion is not typical. Plan for scheduled lab time and clinicals.
  • If you need flexibility, ask about:
    • Hybrid or evening cohorts
    • Multiple start dates per year
    • Credit for prior learning or work experience
    • Embedded industry certifications (EPA 608, OSHA 10, NCCER)

Next Steps

Getting started is simple. Pick a target trade, confirm the Texas license steps, and visit a campus. Ask about schedules, labs, certification prep, and employer connections. Then enroll in the next start that fits your calendar.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Schools. https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) – Electrician and ACR Contractor Licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec.htm and https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Management. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), Licensing. https://tsbpe.texas.gov/licensing/ ↩

  7. NCCER, Credentials and Certifications. https://www.nccer.org/credentials/ ↩

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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.