Best Trade Schools in Midland, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Midland. This guide compares accredited programs, program lengths, and specialties. It also covers Texas licensing steps and which trades are hiring now in the Permian Basin12.

Top Trade Schools in Midland

Below are accredited colleges and career schools in Midland and nearby communities. Program lengths are typical ranges for certificates or associate degrees. Confirm current offerings on each school’s catalog2.

School Program Length Highlights
Midland College (Midland) 1–2 years Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Strong in Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, energy-related programs, and allied health. Modern labs and local employer partnerships2.
Odessa College (Odessa) 1–2 years Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Programs in Welding, HVAC/R, Automotive, Diesel Technology, and healthcare. Flexible schedules and short-term certificates2.
Howard College (Big Spring) 1–2 years Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Welding, Industrial Maintenance, HVAC/R, and nursing pathways. Good option east of Midland for hands-on trades2.
Texas State Technical College – West Texas (Sweetwater/Abilene) 9–20 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Career-focused programs: Electrical Lineworker, HVAC/R, Diesel Equipment, Welding. Strong placement support statewide2.
South Plains College (Lubbock) 9–20 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). HVAC/R, Welding, Industrial Manufacturing/Electrical, Automotive. Hybrid options for some coursework2.
New Mexico Junior College (Hobbs, NM) 1–2 years Regionally accredited (HLC). Welding, Automotive, Energy Technology, CDL prep. A nearby option across the state line with industry ties2.

Notes:

  • Regional accreditation from SACSCOC or HLC is recognized by employers and licensing boards. Many Texas career schools are also accredited by program-level bodies; check each program page23.
  • Program offerings change. Always verify current certificates and AAS tracks on College Navigator or the school’s catalog2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Oil and gas, commercial builds, and housing growth keep electrical work steady in the Midland–Odessa area. Texas employment for electricians is projected to remain strong, with wages that are competitive statewide1.
  • See pathway details: Explore Electrician careers.

HVAC/R Technician

  • Extreme heat, indoor air quality upgrades, and industrial facilities drive year-round HVAC demand in West Texas. Handling refrigerants requires EPA Section 608 certification4.
  • See pathway details: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas.

Welder

  • Fabrication, pipeline, and shop work remain core to the Permian Basin economy. NCCER and employer-recognized welding certifications help you advance5.
  • See pathway details: Explore Welding careers.

Plumber

  • Residential and commercial projects, plus service and maintenance, keep plumbers busy. Texas requires state licensing with defined apprenticeship hours and exams6.
  • See pathway details: Explore Plumbing careers.

Tip: Review tasks and tools for each trade on O*NET to confirm day-to-day job fit7.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electricians (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, TDLR)

  • Register as an Apprentice with TDLR.
  • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours of supervised experience and exam.
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and exam.
  • Master Electrician: 12,000 hours (including journeyman experience) and exam.
  • Renew licenses and complete required continuing education8.

HVAC/R (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, TDLR)

  • To work under a contractor: register as a Technician; optional Certified Technician path.
  • To operate your own business: ACR Contractor license requires 48 months of practical experience under a licensed contractor (or approved education plus experience), plus exam.
  • EPA Section 608 certification required to handle refrigerants84.

Plumbers (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, TSBPE)

  • Register as an Apprentice Plumber with TSBPE.
  • Tradesman-Limited: 4,000 hours and exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours and exam.
  • Master Plumber: Journeyman license, additional experience, and exam.
  • Specialty endorsements (e.g., Medical Gas) require extra training and testing6.

Welders

  • Texas does not license welders at the state level.
  • Employers often require performance qualifications aligned to code (for example, tests to AWS D1.1 standards), and many recognize NCCER credentials5.
  • Follow site-specific safety and qualification procedures mandated by employers and local authorities.

Commercial Drivers (CDL)

  • Meet FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.
  • Pass Texas DPS knowledge and skills tests. Medical certification required. Many colleges offer CDL prep aligned to ELDT1.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning is common. Many schools deliver trade theory online with labs on campus. Look for evening or accelerated cohorts at Midland College and Odessa College2.
  • TSTC and South Plains College offer hybrid and intensive block schedules for some programs. Ask admissions about day, evening, or weekend labs2.
  • For HVAC, consider online prep for EPA 608 before or alongside your lab courses4.
  • Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom learning. Check local employers and college apprenticeship offices for openings12.

Next Steps

Citations

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and Employment Projections, Texas and Midland–Odessa area, accessed 2024–2025. https://www.bls.gov/oes/ and https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Verify programs, accreditation, and completion data for each school. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory. Accreditation reference for private career schools. https://www.accsc.org/ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification (refrigerants). https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER, Industry-recognized credentials for construction trades and welding. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

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

  7. O*NET OnLine, Work activities, skills, and tools by occupation. https://www.onetonline.org/ ↩

  8. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), Electrician and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩

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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.