Best Trade Schools in Uvalde, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Uvalde. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, program length, and licensing steps in Texas. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in demand across Texas1. We also list flexible options if you work full time.

Top Trade Schools in Uvalde

Below are accredited options in Uvalde and the greater San Antonio area. Program length is typical for full‑time students. Check each school for schedules and start dates.

School Program Length Highlights
Southwest Texas Junior College (Uvalde) Certificates 8–12 months; AAS ~2 years Public community college. Welding, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Automotive Technology, Industrial Maintenance, and Vocational Nursing. Institutionally accredited by SACSCOC. Hands‑on labs and strong transfer support2.
St. Philip’s College (San Antonio) Certificates ~1 year; AAS ~2 years Alamo Colleges technical leader. HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive and Diesel Technology, Manufacturing, Biomedical Equipment. SACSCOC accredited. Large lab facilities and industry partnerships2.
San Antonio College (San Antonio) Certificates ~1 year; AAS ~2 years Allied health and public safety focus. EMS/Paramedic, Nursing, Radiography, Sonography, Fire Academy, Cybersecurity. SACSCOC accredited. Multiple clinical placement sites2.
Pima Medical Institute – San Antonio Diplomas 9–12 months; Associate 18–24 months Focused healthcare training. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Veterinary Technician. Institution listed in College Navigator. Fast starts and externships2.
Hallmark University – College of Aeronautics (San Antonio) ~15–20 months FAA Part 147 A&P maintenance training. High‑bay hangar labs and turbine systems. Institutionally accredited by ACCSC. Direct path to FAA written and practical exams3.
Lamson Institute (San Antonio) ~9–12 months HVAC/R, Electrical Technician, and Medical Assistant programs. ACCSC accredited. Day and evening schedules available3.
Southern Careers Institute – San Antonio ~7–12 months HVAC, Medical Assistant, and Medical Billing & Coding. Institution appears in College Navigator. Career services and certification prep included2.

Tip: SWTJC’s Uvalde campus is the closest option for most skilled trades. San Antonio schools expand your choices for HVAC, welding, electrical, aviation, and healthcare.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems in homes, plants, and commercial sites. Texas continues to add construction and industrial projects, which supports steady demand for electricians1.
  • Many entry‑level jobs start as helpers or apprentices while you train.

HVAC/R Technician

  • Work on heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes, hospitals, and supermarkets. Technicians who hold EPA Section 608 certification are needed statewide1.
  • Employers value strong troubleshooting skills and clean driving records.

Welder

  • Fabricate and repair metal structures for construction, pipelines, and manufacturing. Entry roles start with structural welding. Pipe welding and inspection add higher pay potential1.
  • Certifications from AWS or NCCER can boost your resume.

Plumber

  • Install and repair water, sewer, and gas systems. Residential service and commercial construction both hire licensed apprentices and journeymen in Texas1.
  • Safety, code knowledge, and clean workmanship are essential.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician licensing (TDLR)4

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR. Work under a licensed contractor.
  • Log 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job experience to qualify for the Journeyman Electrician exam.
  • Pass the state exam and keep your license active with continuing education.
  • Master Electrician requires additional experience after journeyman and a separate exam.

HVAC/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (TDLR)5

  • Register as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed contractor.
  • To become a licensed ACR Contractor, document 48 months of practical experience or an approved equivalent, then pass the TDLR exam.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.

Plumbing (TSBPE)7

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice and train under a licensed plumber.
  • Tradesman‑Limited requires 4,000 hours and an exam. Journeyman requires 8,000 hours and an exam.
  • Master Plumber requires additional experience and a separate exam.
  • Many municipalities also require permits. Always verify local rules before starting work.

Welding

  • Texas does not issue a state welder license. Employers may require AWS D1.1, D17.1, or NCCER performance credentials depending on the job8.
  • Schools often include bend tests or performance quals to industry standards.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning. Many programs split theory online with in‑person labs. This is common for HVAC, welding safety, and electrical code.
  • Evening and weekend labs. Schools in San Antonio and Uvalde offer night sections for working adults.
  • Credential prep. Look for built‑in test prep for EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA‑10/30, NCCER, and state journeyman exams. These can shorten your time to employment.
  • General education online. Community colleges often deliver math, writing, and intro computing courses fully online, which can lighten your weekly commute.

Ask each admissions team about:

  • Cohort start dates and waitlists.
  • Required tools and uniforms.
  • Clinical or externship sites and background check policies.
  • Credit for prior learning or industry experience.

Next Steps

  • Compare all Texas options: visit the state hub at /trade-school/texas/.
  • Browse trade career pages and licensing steps:
    • Electrician: /trades/electrician
    • HVAC: /trades/hvac
    • Welding: /trades/welding
    • Plumbing: /trades/plumbing
  • Explore more schools and planning tools at the main hubs:
    • Trade school hub: /trade-school/
    • Trades hub: /trades/
    • Guides: /guides/

If you live in Uvalde, start with Southwest Texas Junior College for welding, HVAC, and automotive. Then compare San Antonio programs if you want more choices or a specific specialty like aviation maintenance or allied health. Visit campuses, ask about licensure pass rates, and confirm program accreditation on College Navigator before you enroll2.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, job outlook for Electricians, HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. 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), School Directory. https://www.accsc.org/schools/search/ ↩ ↩

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

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

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

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

  8. NCCER Credentials and Assessments. 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.