Best Trade Schools in Kentucky
17 schools ranked by programs, certifications, equipment, and accreditations. Real data, no affiliate padding.
#19
National Rank
17
Schools
18
Program Types
10
Certifications
5.1
Avg Programs/School
18
Observed Program Tags
Critical Skills: WeldingHVACPlumbingMachine
How We Rank Schools
Schools are ranked using a transparent composite score (0-100 points) based on verifiable data:
- Program breadth 0-20 pts
- Certification depth 0-15 pts
- Equipment/facilities 0-8 pts
- Accreditation quality 0-12 pts
- Data completeness 0-18 pts
- Outcomes (placement, salary) 0-10 pts
- Financial aid (VA, Pell, WIOA) 0-7 pts
- Partnership readiness 0-10 pts
No school pays for placement. Rankings are updated as new data is verified.
Top 15 Trade Schools in Kentucky
1
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
VA Approved
Certifications: EPA 608, NATE, OSHA 10
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Graduates
Eligible for Certification from The National Board of Surgical Technology and
Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Additional Employment Statistics and Information
Surgical Technology Occupational Outlook Handbook Bluegrass Occupational Outlook
Career Median Annual Salary Surgical Technology Bridge Program $38,938 Surgical
Technologist $38,938 Surgical Technology $38,938 (Note: BCTC only offers the AAS)
Surgical First Assisting $46,486 #24 among the Top 50 Fastest Growing Bluegrass
Occupations Getting Started What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options? A
program plan describes the degree requirements (courses) and the sequence for
completing the coursesthe Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) will
act upon the recommendation from the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in
Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA) and students receiving a
Degree will eligible to sit for the Surgical Technologist Certifying Exam to receive
certification from The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(NBSTSA)Accredited by CommissionGraduates Eligible for Certification from The National Board
Contact: Gregory Feeney —
greg.feeney@kctcs.edu
2
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
HVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningManufacturing Technology
Certifications: NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesHVAC Excellencethe National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation ( NATEF )the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation ( NATEF )
Contact: Emmi Thurmond —
emmi.thurmond@kctcs.edu
3
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Paducah, KY
Collision RepairComputer and Information TechnologySurgical TechnologyAutomotive TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryManufacturing Technology
Certifications: ASE, I-CAR, NATEF
the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404) 975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing
program is continuing accreditationthe National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Contact: Anton Reece —
anton.reece@kctcs.edu
4
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Cumberland, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
Certifications: NATE, NATEF, CNA
the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing
program is Continuing Accreditation
Contact: Lee Harrison —
lee.harrison@kctcs.edu
5
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
Pell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: NATE, NATEF
the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF)American Welding Society and offers associate degree, diploma and certificate
programsthe American Welding Society (AWS) which offers National welding certification
credentialsthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degrees
Contact: Scott Williams —
scott.williams@kctcs.edu
6
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryElectronics & InstrumentationManufacturing TechnologyRobotics & Automation
Certifications: CompTIA Security+
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing
program is continuing accreditationOur accreditation to award associate degrees comes from the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commissionthe The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
Contact: Christine Taylor —
christine.taylor@kctcs.edu
7
Henderson Community College
Henderson, KY
Electrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryElectronics & InstrumentationManufacturing TechnologyRobotics & AutomationCAD/CAM & Drafting
Certifications: NATE
the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Incthe: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Henderson Community College
Associate Degree Nursing Program is continuing accreditationthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesInformation regarding these and other discounts can be found at the Council
Contact: Jason Warren —
jason.warren@kctcs.edu
8
Madisonville Community College
Madisonville, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
Certifications: NATE
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesTerms Student Life Supplier Information Institutional Accreditation Accreditation
Status Madisonville Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools CommissionQuestions about the accreditation of Madisonville Community College may be directed
in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools CommissionNational Board
Contact: Cindy Kelley —
cindy.kelley@kctcs.edu
9
Somerset Community College
Somerset, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
Certifications: Phlebotomy
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesOur accreditation to award associate degrees comes from the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools CommissionSomerset Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools CommissionQuestions about the accreditation of Somerset Community College may be directed in
writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
Contact: Carey Castle —
carey.castle@kctcs.edu
10
Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education
Lexington, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & CarpentryCAD/CAM & Drafting
Pell EligibleTitle IV
the College for Technical Education received its full accreditation through the
CouncilLexington is applying for reaffirmation of accreditation with the Commission of the
CouncilPersons wishing to make comments should write to the Executive Director of the
Commissionthe College for Technical Education earned its accreditation through the
Council
Contact: Rick Christman —
rchristman@employmentsolutionsinc.org
11
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Prestonsburg, KY
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryManufacturing TechnologyCAD/CAM & Drafting
Title IV
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesTuition and charges are determined by the Kentucky Community and Technical College
System BoardTechnical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
CommissionTechnical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commission
Contact: Velissa Murphy —
vmurphy0001@kctcs.edu
12
Ashland Community and Technical College
Ashland, KY
Welding & FabricationCNC & MachiningManufacturing TechnologyCAD/CAM & DraftingHealthcare & MedicalIT & Networking
the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404)975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing
Program is Continuing Accreditationthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreeshealthcare cohort now enrolling at ACTC read more Workman joins ACTC as SRO read
more ACTC BoardGranted Approval by the Kentucky Board
Contact: Steven Flouhouse —
steve.flouhouse@kctcs.edu
13
Hazard Community and Technical College
Hazard, KY
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningElectronics & InstrumentationManufacturing Technology
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesGraduates are eligible to take the National Councilcertification boardOur accreditation to award associate degrees comes from the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commission
Contact: Jennifer Lindon —
jennifer.lindon@kctcs.edu
14
Hopkinsville Community College
Hopkinsville, KY
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningManufacturing Technology
the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404)975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing
Program is Continuing Accreditationthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 The most recent accreditation
decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing
Program is Continuing Accreditationcertification board
Contact: Alissa Young —
alissa.young@kctcs.edu
15
Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville, KY
HVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningManufacturing Technology
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road
NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 wwwthe ASE Education Foundationthe Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management
Education (CAHIIM) Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education: The Associate in
Applied Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education at Jefferson
Community and Technical College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation
of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the
Education of Young Children, www
Contact: Ty Handy — ty.handy@kctcs.edu
All Other Schools
| # | School | City | Programs | Certs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 |
 Gateway Community and Technical College
|
Florence | 10 | 0 |
| 17 |
 Maysville Community and Technical College
|
Maysville | 10 | 0 |
Best CAD/CAM & Drafting Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Best Healthcare & Medical Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Best IT & Networking Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Best Construction & Carpentry Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Best Manufacturing Technology Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Best Welding & Fabrication Schools in Kentucky
Best Automotive Technology Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Best Electrical Technology Schools in Kentucky
2
Bowling Green, KY
NATE, HVAC Excellence, NATEF
Certifications Available
NATE6 schools
NATEF4 schools
EPA 6081 schools
OSHA 101 schools
HVAC Excellence1 schools
ASE1 schools
I-CAR1 schools
CNA1 schools
CompTIA Security+1 schools
Phlebotomy1 schools
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trade schools are in Kentucky?
There are 17 trade schools in Kentucky tracked by BOMAtlas, offering programs in 18
different fields.
What is the best trade school in Kentucky?
Based on our composite ranking of programs, certifications, equipment, and
accreditations, Bluegrass Community and Technical College ranks #1 in Kentucky.
What are the most popular trade programs in Kentucky?
The most common programs are CAD/CAM & Drafting, Healthcare & Medical, IT &
Networking. These reflect strong employer demand in the state.
What certifications can I earn at Kentucky trade schools?
Schools in Kentucky offer 10 different certifications including EPA 608, NATE, OSHA 10,
HVAC Excellence, NATEF.
How are trade schools in Kentucky ranked?
BOMAtlas ranks schools using a transparent composite score (0-100) based on program
breadth, certifications, equipment, accreditations, outcomes (placement rate, salary),
financial aid availability, and data quality.
How does Kentucky compare to other states for trade education?
Kentucky ranks #19 nationally with 17 schools and 8 unique program types.
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