Best Trade Schools in Richmond, Virginia (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Richmond. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, learn Virginia licensing, and see which trades are in demand in the Richmond area. Skilled trades continue to offer steady careers and strong pay growth across Virginia1.

Top Trade Schools in Richmond

Below are reputable, accredited options in the Richmond metro. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current schedules and start dates23.

School Program Length Highlights
Reynolds Community College (Richmond) 1–2 years HVAC, Electrical, Welding, Automotive. SACSCOC accredited. Day and evening labs. Stackable certificates to AAS. Strong transfer and apprenticeship pathways2.
Brightpoint Community College (Chester & Midlothian) 1–2 years Welding, HVAC, Electrical, Precision Machining. SACSCOC accredited. Short-term workforce credentials and industry-aligned labs2.
Fortis College – Richmond (North Chesterfield) 9–18 months HVACR hands-on training. ACCSC accredited career college. Prep for EPA 608 and entry-level technician roles3.
Centura College – Richmond Main 9–24 months HVAC, Building Maintenance and Repair. ACCSC accredited. Day and evening schedules. Career services support3.
ECPI University – Richmond (Innsbrook & Moorefield) 1.5–2.5 years Mechatronics, Electronics Engineering Technology. SACSCOC accredited. Accelerated, year-round terms with hybrid options2.
ABC Virginia Training Academy – Richmond (Glen Allen) 1–4 years Registered apprenticeship classroom training for Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing. Employer network. NCCER curriculum45.
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 10 JATC (Richmond) 5 years Paid apprenticeship in pipefitting, welding, HVACR service. Registered apprenticeship sponsor. Earn industry certs while you work4.
Chesterfield Career & Technical Center – Adult Education 6–12 months (evenings) Welding, HVAC, Electrical, Building Trades. Hands-on labs for upskill and entry-level training. Good fit for working adults.

Tip: Visit each school, tour labs, and ask about certifications offered (EPA 608, NCCER, NIMS, AWS) and employer partnerships.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians support commercial builds, data centers, and residential projects across the Richmond region. BLS projects steady demand nationwide for electricians, driven by construction, facility upgrades, and clean energy projects1. Many programs integrate NCCER or similar curricula to align with job site skills5. See how to become an Electrician.

  • HVAC Technician

    • HVAC employers hire year-round for install and service. Technicians who hold EPA 608 and training in heat pumps and controls are especially competitive. BLS reports consistent openings as systems modernize and as experienced techs retire1. Explore HVAC careers.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, maintenance, and industrial contractors rely on welders with AWS D1.1 or pipe qualifications. Apprenticeship programs and college labs help students prepare for plate and pipe tests. Demand tracks with manufacturing and infrastructure work1. Explore Welding careers.

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers and pipefitters are needed on commercial and residential builds, hospitals, and food processing facilities. Journeyman and Master licensing boosts pay and independence. Long-term openings are supported by growth and replacement needs1. Explore Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Most construction trades in Virginia are licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors. Here is what to expect for common trades67:

  • Electrician, HVAC, Plumber, Gas Fitter (Tradesman)

    • Levels: Journeyman and Master.
    • Minimum age: 18.
    • Pathways:
    • Complete a 4-year registered apprenticeship, or
    • Document equivalent work experience plus approved classroom hours.
    • Apply to DPOR for the exam. Exams are administered by PSI.
    • After passing, receive your Tradesman license. Keep it current with state-approved continuing education for each renewal period.

  • HVAC Refrigerant Handling

    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to purchase or handle refrigerants. Most HVAC programs prepare you for this exam8.

  • Welding

    • Virginia does not license welders at the state level. Employers and jurisdictions often require AWS D1.1 structural or ASME Section IX pipe qualifications. Schools and apprenticeship programs help you test to these standards.

  • Apprenticeship Registration

    • If you enter a paid apprenticeship, your sponsor registers the program with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) and the U.S. Department of Labor. Completion can qualify you to sit for journeyman exams4.

Helpful contacts:

  • DPOR Board for Contractors: applications, rules, and renewal requirements6.
  • PSI Exams: Virginia tradesman exams and candidate information7.
  • Virginia DOLI Registered Apprenticeship: program and sponsor information4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training

    • Many Richmond programs blend online theory with in-person labs. This is common at ECPI University, community colleges, and several career colleges.

  • Evening and accelerated schedules

    • Adult and evening schedules are available at Chesterfield Career & Technical Center, Centura College, and ABC Virginia. Accelerated terms help career changers finish faster.

  • Certifications

    • Ask schools how they embed certification prep:
    • HVAC: EPA 608, OSHA 10/30.
    • Electrical/Plumbing/HVAC: NCCER module credentials.
    • Welding: AWS D1.1 plate, pipe test practice.
    • Manufacturing: NIMS, OSHA safety.

Tip: If you work full-time, look for hybrid or evening cohorts and confirm lab frequency before enrolling.

Next Steps

Richmond offers strong training options, active apprenticeships, and steady demand. Tour programs, confirm accreditation, and ask about employer ties. You can start a skilled career in months, not years.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections and Occupational Employment Statistics. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator, institutional profiles for program and accreditation details. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), accredited institutions directory. ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), Registered Apprenticeship. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), curriculum and credentials. ↩ ↩

  6. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors, Tradesman Licensing. ↩ ↩

  7. PSI Exams, Virginia Board for Contractors candidate information. ↩ ↩

  8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. ↩

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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.