Best Trade Schools in Chesapeake, Virginia (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Chesapeake. This guide ranks accredited options in and around the city, explains Virginia licensing, and points you to careers with steady demand and solid pay1. Use it to compare programs and plan your next steps.

Top Trade Schools in Chesapeake

Below are accredited schools that serve Chesapeake residents. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for exact schedules and start dates.

School Program Length Highlights
Tidewater Community College (Chesapeake Campus + Skilled Trades Academy) 6 weeks–2 years SACSCOC accredited. Certificates and AAS degrees. Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth offers fast-track welding, pipefitting, HVAC, electrical, machining, maritime trades. Day/evening options. Strong employer ties2.
Centura College – Chesapeake 9–18 months ACCSC accredited. Hands-on technical diplomas. Common programs include HVAC and allied health. Career services and multiple start dates. Good for career changers needing day or evening classes3.
Tidewater Tech – Norfolk 9–18 months ACCSC accredited. Career diplomas in HVAC, welding, automotive, and building and construction trades. Lab-first training with industry tools. Near Chesapeake with easy commute3.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Norfolk 18–24 months ACCSC accredited. Aviation Maintenance Technician and Avionics programs. FAA-aligned training. High shop hours and certifications prep. Strong fit if you want aerospace and airport facilities3.
Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) – Virginia Beach 12–24 months ACCSC accredited. Automotive tech, heavy vehicle, diesel, HVAC, and maritime-related programs. Employer partnerships and certifications prep. Day and evening cohorts3.
Camp Community College – Suffolk 6 weeks–2 years SACSCOC accredited. Workforce certificates and AAS degrees. Welding, machining, CDL, electrical, and HVAC through FastForward and credit programs. Short, stackable credentials2.
ECPI University – Virginia Beach (Medical Careers Institute & Tech) 12–30 months SACSCOC accredited. Accelerated schedules. Mechatronics, electronics engineering tech, IT networking, plus allied health. Hybrid formats with frequent starts2.

Tip: Verify accreditation and program approvals on College Navigator or ACCSC before you enroll23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep homes, bases, ports, and shipyards powered in Hampton Roads. Demand is steady with new builds, data centers, and industrial maintenance1. Median wages in Virginia track close to national medians, with overtime common on projects1.
    • Training: 9–12 month certificates or 4–5 year apprenticeships. Prep for the Virginia journeyman exam.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • HVAC techs are essential in a coastal climate with hot summers and military facilities. Employers want EPA Section 608 and solid troubleshooting skills14.
    • Training: 9–18 month diplomas or 1–2 year associate degrees with refrigerant handling practice.

  • Welder

    • Welding supports ship repair, maritime fabrication, construction, and manufacturing across the shipyards and ports. Structural and pipe welding skills travel well between employers1.
    • Training: 6–12 month certificates with plate, pipe, and position practice. AWS or NCCER credentials help at hire5.

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers handle residential, commercial, and marine systems. Code knowledge and service work keep hours steady year-round1.
    • Training: 1-year certificates or apprenticeship leading to the journeyman exam.

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Most building trades are licensed by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors. Here are the basics you should know before you enroll or test6.

  • Electrician, HVAC, and Plumbing (Tradesman Licenses)

    • License levels: Journeyman and Master.
    • Eligibility: Verified work experience and/or completion of a registered apprenticeship or approved education. DPOR allows education to substitute for some experience hours.
    • Exam: Schedule and pass the DPOR-approved exam (PSI). Study building codes and trade calculations.
    • Apply: Submit your application and fees to DPOR after passing.
    • Renewal: Complete DPOR-approved continuing education for each renewal cycle. Keep your contact info current with DPOR.

  • HVAC Specific

    • Federal requirement: EPA Section 608 refrigerant handling certification. Most programs include exam prep and testing4.

  • Gas Fitter

    • Regulated under DPOR’s Tradesman licenses. Many HVAC techs add gas fitting for service work.

  • Welding

    • No Virginia state welder license. Employers often require AWS or NCCER performance qualifications tied to the codes you will weld under (for example, structural steel or pipe). Schools and employer tests can qualify you for specific procedures5.

  • CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), if your trade involves commercial driving

    • Virginia DMV issues CDLs. Steps include CLP, FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training, and a skills test at an approved site. Some local colleges provide ELDT.

Always verify current steps and forms on DPOR’s site before you apply6.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning

    • Many local schools deliver theory online with hands-on labs on campus. This works well for HVAC, electrical theory, safety, blueprint reading, and math. Skills like brazing, conduit bending, and welding still require in-person labs.

  • Accelerated skills bootcamps

    • TCC’s Skilled Trades Academy and community college FastForward programs run short, targeted courses that get you job-ready fast. Good choice if you need a quick entry and plan to stack more credentials later2.

  • Evening and weekend schedules

    • Several campuses above offer multiple starts and night sections. Ask admissions for lab hours, externship timing, and how many evenings per week you will be on-site.

  • Certifications

    • Many programs include industry certifications such as EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA-10/30, NCCER Core and trade modules, and manufacturer credentials. These boost your resume and meet employer requirements45.

How to Choose a Chesapeake Trade Program

  • Match the program to your license path. For electrician, HVAC, or plumbing, choose a school that documents hours acceptable to DPOR and prepares you for the journeyman exam6.
  • Confirm accreditation and program approvals. Use College Navigator for schools and ACCSC for career colleges23.
  • Check lab time and equipment. Ask about ratios, welding booths, HVAC trainers, meter kits, and how much live-work you will perform.
  • Look at employer links. Shipyard, port, and contractor partnerships turn into interviews. Ask about recent placement partners.
  • Ask about prep and fees for certifications. EPA 608, NCCER, and OSHA are worth having on day one45.

Typical Pay and Outlook

BLS reports steady demand for electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and welders nationwide, with Virginia tracking similar trends1. Pay varies by certification, overtime, shift work, union membership, and the specific contractor. Military and maritime work in Hampton Roads often provides consistent hours. Use BLS profiles to compare current median wages and outlook for each trade1.

  • Electricians: Strong employment and good wage growth with experience and master licensing1.
  • HVAC Technicians: Consistent year-round service work, especially with EPA 608 and controls skills14.
  • Plumbers: Stable demand in residential and commercial markets1.
  • Welders: Good opportunities tied to ship repair, fabrication, and industrial maintenance1.

Next Steps

Start with two or three schools from the list above. Visit labs, talk to instructors, and confirm your license path. Then pick the schedule and support that fit your goals.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and May 2023 wage data. Accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. School profiles and accreditation. Accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Institutions Directory. Accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. Accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. O*NET OnLine and NCCER credential frameworks for construction trades. Accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors – Tradesman Licensure. Accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.