Best Trade Schools in Pflugerville, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Pflugerville. This guide compares accredited options, shows program lengths, and explains Texas licensing for popular trades. The Austin–Round Rock area continues to add construction and advanced manufacturing jobs, so skilled trades remain in demand1.

Top Trade Schools in Pflugerville

Below are accredited schools and registered apprenticeships within a short commute of Pflugerville. Program availability varies by campus. Always confirm details with the school and in College Navigator2.

School Program Length Highlights
Austin Community College (ACC) – Round Rock & Highland Certificates: ~8–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Hands-on labs. Options across HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Electrical, and Construction technologies. Multiple Austin-area campuses serve Pflugerville.
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – East Williamson County (Hutto) Certificates: ~9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Focus on high-demand technical training. Strong employer ties. Common offerings include Welding Technology and Precision Manufacturing at select locations.
Southern Careers Institute (SCI) – Austin North Diplomas: ~7–12 months ACCSC-accredited. Career-focused training with day/evening schedules. Programs commonly include HVAC Technician and Electrical Technician, plus career services support3.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Austin Diplomas: ~10–18 months ACCSC-accredited. Purpose-built labs. Automotive Technology and Welding Technology available at this campus; industry partners and certifications integration3.
Austin Electrical Training Alliance (IBEW Local 520 JATC) – Austin Apprenticeship: ~4–5 years paid Registered apprenticeship. Earn while you learn. Classroom + on-the-job training leads toward Journeyman Electrician licensing with TDLR. Strong wage progression and benefits.
UA Local 286 Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC – Austin Apprenticeship: ~4–5 years paid Registered apprenticeship. Training covers plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC-related piping systems. Prepares for TSBPE licensing exams with classroom and field hours.
Concorde Career College – Austin Diplomas: ~8–12 months; AAS: ~2 years ACCSC-accredited. Healthcare-focused trades like Dental Assisting, Surgical Technology, and Respiratory Therapy. Good option if you prefer allied health pathways3.

Tip: Use College Navigator to compare program outcomes, completion rates, and accreditation by campus before enrolling2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities powered and safe. Austin-area growth, data centers, and semiconductor projects support steady demand1. Typical paths include an apprenticeship or an electrical technology program followed by licensing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Explore the career path: Electrician.

  • HVAC

    • HVAC technicians install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Texas heat and rapid construction create year-round work. Many employers require EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerants14. Learn the steps: HVAC.

  • Welding

    • Welders work across fabrication, construction, manufacturing, and energy. Certifications such as AWS structural codes or NCCER credentials help you qualify for more job sites15. See training routes: Welding.

  • Plumbing

    • Licensed plumbers install and repair water, gas, and waste systems. Growth in new construction and renovations keeps the trade busy in Central Texas1. Training often starts in an apprenticeship and leads to state exams. Learn more: Plumbing.

Typical national median wages for these trades are competitive and often rise with experience, overtime, and credentials1.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR to work under a licensed contractor/supervisor.
  • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training + exam.
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of supervised experience + exam.
  • Master Electrician: additional experience after Journeyman + exam.
  • Complete required continuing education to renew your license6.

HVAC (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, TDLR)

  • ACR Technician: register with TDLR to work under a licensed contractor.
  • Contractor License (Class A or B): meet experience requirements (commonly 48 months of practical experience or an approved education/experience combination), pass the state exam, and carry required insurance.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required for anyone who services or handles refrigerants74.
  • Complete continuing education each renewal period7.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE to work under a licensed plumber.
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours of verified experience + exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours (including time as Tradesman) + exam.
  • Master Plumber: additional experience after Journeyman + exam.
  • Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) required to operate a plumbing business; includes insurance requirements8.

Welding (No state license)

  • Texas does not require a state welding license. Employers and job sites may require industry credentials such as AWS D1.1 structural, ASME pipe, or NCCER performance verifications. OSHA-10/30 safety cards are commonly requested5.
  • Local municipalities or project owners may have additional requirements. Always check job specifications.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: ACC, UTI, and SCI offer blended formats where theory is online and labs are on campus. This helps you balance work and school.
  • Evening or weekend schedules: Many Austin-area programs offer flexible sections for working adults.
  • Short industry credentials: EPA 608 exam prep, OSHA-10/30, and some NCCER modules can be completed in short bursts alongside your main program45.
  • Be cautious with fully online trade programs. Hands-on lab hours are critical for skill and employability, and some Texas licenses require documented experience or lab-based training.

Next Steps

Make a shortlist of 2–3 schools. Visit each campus, ask about lab time, externships, exam pass rates, and job placement support. Confirm accreditation in College Navigator and, for private career schools, in the ACCSC directory before you enroll23.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and wage data for Electricians, HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – institutional profiles and accreditation. ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification for handling refrigerants. ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER, industry-recognized credentials and performance verifications for construction crafts (including welding). ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), Electrician Licensing — qualifications, exams, and continuing education. ↩

  7. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning & Refrigeration — technician registration and contractor licensing. ↩ ↩

  8. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), Apprentice, Tradesman, Journeyman, Master, and RMP licensing requirements. ↩

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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.