Trade school programs in Connecticut

52 trade school programs in 11 fields of skilled trades, with costs, results and funding that can make them free

16 schools offer these programs, and Connecticut has approved every one for workforce funding. Compare the 11 fields below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

Trade school programs teach hands-on work with tools, machines and building systems. That runs from building work like carpentry, plumbing and electrical, through repairing cars, diesel trucks, heating and cooling systems and factory machinery, to welding, sheet metal, masonry, auto body repair, CNC machining, manufacturing and electronics work, solar and wind installation, water treatment, workplace safety, running heavy equipment and cranes, and inspecting homes. Most are certificates; some are two-year degrees or apprenticeships.

All job training programs in Connecticut, every line of work

Accredited trade schools in Connecticut, each school with its accreditor

Trade school programs by state, to compare Connecticut with other states

Compare trade school programs in Connecticut: cost, pay and results

CNC machinist training
19 programs at 9 schools
Most cost
$4,070 to $7,950
Earned a year, estimated
about $44,800
Working 6 months later
85%
Finished
85%
Manufacturing technician training
10 programs at 5 schools
Most cost
$1,686 to $6,208
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
Welding classes
8 programs at 5 schools
Most cost
$4,600 to $8,542
Earned a year, estimated
about $43,600
Working 6 months later
83%
Finished
92%
Industrial maintenance technician training
4 programs at 2 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
HVAC training (heating and cooling)
2 programs at one school
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Auto mechanic classes
2 programs at 2 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Lineman school (power line work)
2 programs at 2 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Construction training programs
2 programs at 2 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
Plumbing school
1 program at one school
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
AutoCAD and drafting courses (computer-aided design)
1 program at one school
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Home inspector training
1 program at one school
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported

Each figure is the middle program of that field. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools in Connecticut may offer more. How these figures are made

Is there free trade school in Connecticut?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.¹²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.³
Or pay yourself. Without funding, prices differ by field: most manufacturing programs in Connecticut cost $1,686 to $6,208, and most welding programs $4,600 to $8,542. Each field's page lists every program with its price.

Other job training in Connecticut, by line of work

Programs approved in Connecticut in each line of work.

Where the Connecticut trade school numbers come from

Which Connecticut programs are counted?

Programs Connecticut approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) in the fields listed above. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁵ They come from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Connecticut offers.

What the figures for each field mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the funding facts about trade school programs in Connecticut

Show the 5 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services