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Skilled trades training

Trade Schools in Detroit

Compare community colleges, union training centers and free programs across Metro Detroit. Learn what each path costs you in time, and how to get paid while you train.

Join the Talent Network Ways to pay for school
  • Public colleges and union centers
  • Tuition-free options for many
  • Paid apprenticeship paths

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Pick your path

Three ways to train for a trade in Detroit

Community college

Certificates and associate degrees in welding, HVAC, electrical, CNC and mechatronics. Day and evening classes.

Compare colleges →

Union apprenticeship

A paid job from week one plus classroom training, run by a union and contractors together.

How apprenticeships work →

Free short programs

Weeks, not years. Free training and pre-apprenticeships for eligible Detroiters.

See free programs →
Public colleges

Community colleges with skilled trades programs

These public colleges serve Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Program lists come from each college's own website. Check with the school for start dates and admissions.

CollegeHome areaTrades programs include
Wayne County Community College DistrictDetroit and Wayne CountyWelding technology, HVAC, CNC, electrical electronics, facility maintenance, mechatronics, renewable energy
Henry Ford CollegeDearbornTrade and Apprentice Education: industrial electrician, plumbing and pipefitting, sheet metal, tool and die, millwright, air conditioning and refrigeration
Macomb Community CollegeWarren and Macomb CountyRegistered apprenticeship coursework, welding, manufacturing engineering technology
Oakland Community CollegeOakland CountyHVAC, welding, construction, machine tooling, robotics, auto servicing, collision repair
Schoolcraft CollegeLivoniaWelding technology, mechatronics, electronic technology, manufacturing, CAD
Union training centers

Union apprenticeship training centers near Detroit

Union training centers run registered apprenticeships with local contractors. You work and get paid while you train. Application windows open and close, so check each site.

Training centerTradeWhat to know
Electrical Industry Training Center (IBEW Local 58 and Southeastern Michigan Chapter NECA)ElectricianThree and five year programs. Apprentices are on the job about 90 percent of the time and graduate debt-free, according to the center.
Plumbers Local 98 and MCA Detroit Training CenterPlumberMust be 18 by the start of class, with a driver's license, diploma or GED, and WorkKeys plus a mechanical aptitude test.
Pipefitting Industry Training Center, Local 636Pipefitter, steamfitter, HVAC serviceFive year program with certifications in welding, refrigerant handling and safety.
Before you enroll

How to choose a trade school in Detroit

  • Start with the job. Read the career guide for your trade and see how most people in it get hired.
  • Ask about job placement. Which local employers hire graduates, and does the program help you apply?
  • Check the credential. Will you earn an industry certification, a certificate or credit toward a degree?
  • Compare the schedule. Day, evening or hybrid classes matter if you work now.
  • Look for paid options first. A registered apprenticeship pays you while you learn.
  • Check what is free. Michigan Reconnect, the Community College Guarantee and Detroit Promise can cover tuition for many people. See funding options.
  • Be careful with high pressure sales. A good school answers questions in writing and lets you take time to decide.
Featured schools

Schools training Detroit's next workforce

Schools below are paid listings and are labelled. Rebuild Detroit does not rank or endorse schools, so always compare programs yourself.

Questions

Trade schools in Detroit FAQ

The best choice depends on the trade. Community colleges such as Wayne County Community College District, Henry Ford College, Macomb, Oakland and Schoolcraft offer certificates and degrees, while union training centers run paid apprenticeships for electricians, plumbers and pipefitters.
Many people can. Michigan Reconnect covers in-district community college tuition for eligible adults 21 and older, and the Community College Guarantee helps recent high school graduates. Union apprenticeships pay you while you train.
Short programs can take a few weeks to a few months. College certificates often take one or two semesters or more, and associate degrees about two years of full time study. Apprenticeships run several years but pay you the whole time.
For union construction trades, the apprenticeship is usually the main path, and it includes classroom training. For welding, CNC or HVAC, a college certificate can help you get hired or qualify for an apprenticeship.
Start with the community college for your county, then check union training centers for your trade. Detroit at Work and Michigan Works! career advisers can also point you to free training.
For schools

Run a trade school or training program?

Put your programs on this page and on the career guides for the trades you teach. Choose a plan, pay online and go live the same day. See school plans.

Find the right training for you

Join the Talent Network and hear about programs and trade jobs in Metro Detroit that match your goals.

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Sources

Updated September 2026. Rules and procedures change; confirm with the responsible office before a decision.

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