Best Trade Schools in Georgetown, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Georgetown. This guide lists accredited programs nearby, what they teach, and how to get licensed in Texas. It is built for high school grads and career changers. Georgetown sits in a fast-growing job market, and skilled trades like HVAC, electrical, welding, and plumbing stay in demand across the Austin metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Georgetown

Below are accredited colleges and career schools within a practical drive of Georgetown. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm campus offerings and schedules with each school23.

School Program Length Highlights
Texas State Technical College – East Williamson County (Hutto) 9–24 months Certificate; 2 years AAS SACSCOC accredited. Hands-on labs. Programs commonly include HVAC Technology, Welding, Precision Machining, and Industrial Systems. Strong employer ties. Multiple start dates2.
Austin Community College (Round Rock + regional campuses) 1–2 years Certificate/AAS SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC, Automotive, and Electrical Construction offered across the district. Modern labs, apprenticeships, and career services. Day/evening options2.
Central Texas College (Killeen) 9–24 months Certificate; 2 years AAS SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC, Automotive, Diesel, and Building Trades. Military-friendly. Flexible scheduling and stackable certificates2.
Southern Careers Institute – Austin North 7–12 months Certificate ACCSC accredited. Focused training in HVAC Technician, Electrical Technician, and allied health. Career placement support and cert prep built in3.
Concorde Career College – Austin 8–20 months Diploma/Associate ACCSC accredited. Allied health focus including Dental and Medical Assistant, Surgical Technology. Short programs with externships and employer partnerships3.
The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) – Austin 8–20 months Certificate/AAS ABHES accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, LMRT, and other health programs. Hybrid learning with labs on campus2.
Temple College (Temple) 9–24 months Certificate; 2 years AAS SACSCOC accredited. Welding Technology, Industrial Systems, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Small class sizes and regional employer network2.
CyberTex Institute of Technology – Austin 9–12 months Certificate COE accredited. HVAC Technician, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, and IT programs. Day and evening cohorts; cert exam preparation included2.

Tip: If you want the most hands-on time in labs, look at TSTC and ACC. If you want a fast program with industry certification prep, compare SCI, CyberTex, Concorde, and CHCP.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician The Austin–Round Rock area continues to add housing, data centers, and manufacturing. That supports steady demand for construction and maintenance electricians1. Training usually starts with a certificate or an apprenticeship. Many students pair classroom study with paid on-the-job hours.

  • HVAC Technician Central Texas heat keeps HVAC shops busy year-round. Technicians who hold EPA Section 608 and can diagnose variable-speed systems are especially valued1. Many local programs include labs with residential and light commercial equipment.

  • Welder Welders support fabrication, construction, oil and gas suppliers, and advanced manufacturing along the I-35 corridor. Graduates who can read blueprints and pass bend tests in multiple processes see more job options1.

  • Plumber Population growth and commercial buildouts drive steady work for apprentices and journeymen. Many start as registered apprentices and earn while they learn under a master plumber1.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Here are the basic steps for popular licensed trades. Always verify details and applications with the state boards.

  • Electricians (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation)

    • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR.
    • Train under a licensed contractor. Log required hours: 4,000 for Residential Wireman; 8,000 for Journeyman Electrician.
    • Pass the state exam for your license level.
    • After two years as a journeyman and additional experience, apply for Master Electrician. Local permits and inspections are required on jobs4.
      Learn more about the trade: Electrician career path.

  • HVAC (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)

    • Get EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants5.
    • Register with TDLR as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed ACR Contractor.
    • To run your own HVAC business, qualify for a Class A or Class B ACR Contractor license. You need experience, insurance, and to pass the TDLR exam6.
      Explore requirements: HVAC training and licensing.

  • Plumbers (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners)

    • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE.
    • Complete 4,000 hours for Tradesman-Limited or 8,000 hours for Journeyman under licensed supervision.
    • Pass the state exam. For contracting, become a Master Plumber and then a Responsible Master Plumber to pull permits and run a company7.
      Start here: Plumbing training guide.

  • Welding

    • No state welding license. Employers often require performance qualifications to AWS D1.1 or other codes. NCCER and AWS certifications can boost employability8.
      Compare programs: Welding training.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning Community colleges like ACC and CTC often blend online theory with in-person labs. Safety, codes, math, and blueprint reading can be online. Welding beads, electrical labs, and HVAC troubleshooting happen in person.

  • Accelerated schedules Private career schools such as SCI, CyberTex, Concorde, and CHCP run day and evening cohorts with frequent start dates. These work well if you want to finish in under a year.

  • Fully online pieces Some test prep and general education courses can be completed online, but trades still require hands-on skills. Expect on-campus labs, shop time, or an approved externship to complete your program.

  • Apprenticeships Paid apprenticeships let you earn while you learn. In Texas, apprentices must register with the appropriate board (TDLR for electricians, TSBPE for plumbers). Many employers partner with local colleges for related technical instruction.

How to Choose a Program

  • Verify accreditation Check institutional accreditation on College Navigator and programmatic or institutional accreditation at ACCSC or ABHES for private career schools23.

  • Check your license goal If your end goal is a state license, confirm the program fits that path and helps document hours or prepares you for the exam.

  • Tour the labs Look for current equipment, safety practices, and instructor-to-student ratios. Ask how many hours you will spend on tools each week.

  • Ask about placement Compare completion rates, certifications earned, externships, and employer partners in Williamson and Travis counties.

Next Steps

Skilled trades offer clear steps to a stable career. Pick a program, confirm the license path, and get hands-on time. The Georgetown area has strong options within a short drive. Visit campuses, talk to instructors, and choose the schedule that fits your life.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook entries for Electricians; HVACR Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters; and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institution profiles and accreditation verification. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) – Electricians. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec.htm ↩

  5. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm ↩

  7. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). https://tsbpe.texas.gov/ ↩

  8. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). https://www.nccer.org/ and American Welding Society (AWS) certifications. https://www.aws.org/ ↩

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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.