Best Trade Schools in Pasadena, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Pasadena. This guide ranks accredited options, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Texas licensing. It is built for locals who want a faster, hands-on path to a good job. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers are in steady demand across the Houston metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Pasadena

Below are accredited colleges and career schools near Pasadena. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm details with the school. Accreditation and program listings are verified through federal and accreditor sources23.

School Program Length Highlights
San Jacinto College – Central Campus (Pasadena) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: 2 years Public, SACSCOC accredited. Strong labs for Welding, HVAC-R, Electrical Technology, Process Technology. Employer ties to the petrochemical corridor2.
Interactive College of Technology – Pasadena Diplomas: ~9–12 months; Associate: ~18 months Career-focused. HVAC/R, business, and medical office programs. Accredited and listed in College Navigator for the Pasadena campus2.
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center – Houston 7–10 months ACCSC accredited. Welding, HVAC, and Electrical Applications. Fast-track, hands-on training with industry cert prep3.
MIAT College of Technology – Houston 9–20 months ACCSC accredited. HVAC/R, Aviation Maintenance, Wind, and Industrial Tech. Strong skills labs and cert prep (EPA 608, more)3.
Lee College – Baytown Certificates: 1 year; AAS: 2 years Public, SACSCOC accredited. Process Technology, Instrumentation, Electrical, Welding. Known for petrochemical and energy career pathways2.
Houston Community College – Southeast Certificates: 1 year; AAS: 2 years Public, SACSCOC accredited. Offers HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Plumbing and more. Evening and weekend options available2.
ABC Greater Houston – Construction Training Center Apprenticeship: 4 years NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor. Electrical, Plumbing, Pipefitting, Welding, Carpentry. Earn industry-recognized NCCER credentials while working4.
IEC Texas Gulf Coast (Houston) Apprenticeship: 4 years Registered electrician apprenticeship with classroom and paid OJT. TDLR recognized. Night classes for working adults. Graduates qualify to sit for the Journeyman exam5.

Tip: Community colleges like San Jacinto, HCC, and Lee offer stackable certificates that build toward an associate degree. Private career schools like TWS and MIAT focus on accelerated, skills-first programs.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Electric power and controls are core to Pasadena’s refineries, warehouses, and construction sites. The Houston metro continues to add electrical jobs, with steady national growth projected by the BLS1. Training prepares you for residential, commercial, and industrial work. See training paths and licenses here: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician Houston’s climate and expanding logistics facilities keep HVAC techs busy year-round. Programs teach troubleshooting, refrigeration cycles, and controls. You will also prepare for EPA 608 certification required to handle refrigerants6. Explore requirements: HVAC.

  • Welder Fabrication and repair work support shipyards, energy, and manufacturing around the Ship Channel. Schools emphasize SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW on plate and pipe. Many employers value AWS or NCCER credentials for job-ready proof of skill4. Learn more: Welding.

  • Plumber Growth in industrial maintenance and new construction supports plumbing careers in the Houston area. Apprenticeship is the fastest way to earn while you learn. Texas has clear steps from Apprentice to Journeyman and beyond7. See career path: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician licensing – Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)5

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR.
  • Accumulate on-the-job experience under a licensed Master Electrician. Typical paths:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours.
  • Complete related classroom instruction through an approved provider or apprenticeship.
  • Pass the TDLR exam for your license level and submit fingerprints and application.
  • Renew annually with continuing education.

HVAC/R licensing – TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration5

  • To work as a technician, register with TDLR under a licensed ACR contractor.
  • To operate as a contractor, meet experience requirements:
    • 48 months of practical experience in the past 72 months, or a mix of education and experience.
  • Pass the ACR contractor exam and hold required liability insurance.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.

Plumbing licensing – Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)7

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE.
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours as an apprentice, complete required training, pass exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours total, complete a board-approved training course, pass exam.
  • Master Plumber requires additional experience and exam.
  • Annual renewal with continuing education.

Welding in Texas

  • No state license. Employers often require performance qualifications to AWS standards or NCCER credentials. Schools and training centers provide test prep and performance testing4.

Always verify current requirements on TDLR and TSBPE sites before applying.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: Community colleges like San Jacinto and HCC blend online theory with on-campus labs for HVAC, electrical, and welding. This saves trips while keeping hands-on practice.
  • Evening and weekend schedules: IEC, ABC, and many colleges run night classes so you can work during the day.
  • Accelerated programs: Career schools such as TWS and MIAT offer focused schedules to help you finish in months, not years.
  • Certification prep: Look for programs that include EPA 608, NCCER, OSHA 10/30, or AWS test prep as part of the curriculum.

If you are balancing work and family, ask schools about:

  • Cohort start dates and pacing options.
  • Credit for prior learning or industry experience.
  • Tutoring, career services, and employer partners.

Next Steps

Choose two or three programs to tour. Ask about lab hours, certification pass rates, and job placement support. Pick the schedule and path that fits your life, then apply.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections and Occupational Outlook. bls.gov ↩ ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory and Reports. accsc.org ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Credentials and Training Sponsors. nccer.org ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Electrician and ACR Licensing. tdlr.texas.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. epa.gov ↩ ↩

  7. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), Licensing and Exams. tsbpe.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.