Quick Facts

• Location: Willowbrook, Illinois
• Address: 500 Joliet Rd, Suite 100, Willowbrook, IL 60527
• School Type: Private Trade & Technical School
• Programs Offered: HVAC/R and Skilled Welding
• Training Style: Hands-on shop training with career-focused technical instruction
• Tuition Range: 2026 published tuition is $14,980 for HVAC/R and $15,665 for Skilled Welding before books, tools and certification-related charges
• Program Length: About 7 months daytime or 12 months evening
• Online Programs Available: No fully online core trade programs prominently advertised
• Hybrid Learning: No — core programs are primarily campus-based
• Financial Aid: Federal financial aid, grants, loans and scholarships for qualifying students
• Class Options: Day and evening
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.1 (167 Reviews)
• Website: ETI School of Skilled Trades

Overview

ETI School of Skilled Trades is a specialized career school in Willowbrook focused almost entirely on two fields: HVAC/R and welding. Rather than offering a large catalog of unrelated programs, ETI concentrates on practical mechanical-trade training designed to move students toward entry-level employment quickly. Its current school information says both programs can be completed in approximately seven months on the daytime schedule or about 12 months during evening classes.

ETI is accredited by ACCSC, authorized to operate by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal financial-aid programs.

Programs Offered

HVAC/R

The HVAC/R program prepares students for entry-level work installing, maintaining, diagnosing and repairing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Training incorporates HVAC equipment, electrical systems, troubleshooting, diagnostics and safety procedures.

ETI’s published 2026 cost schedule also includes the Universal EPA Section 608 exam and ESCO GWP/A2L certification charges, indicating that certification preparation is built into the training pathway.

Skilled Welding

The Skilled Welder program provides hands-on practice in multiple welding and cutting processes. Students build skills with equipment and procedures intended to resemble conditions encountered in welding-related employment.

ETI’s current cost schedule includes a separate AWS welding certification charge. Students should verify exactly which AWS test or qualification is included with their cohort before enrolling.

Program Length & Schedule

Both HVAC/R and Skilled Welding offer:

• Day: approximately 7 months, Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Evening: approximately 12 months, Monday–Thursday, 6:00–10:30 p.m.

That makes ETI particularly practical for students who want either an accelerated full-time route or a schedule that can fit around daytime employment.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For students enrolling January 1, 2026 or later, ETI’s published schedule lists:

HVAC/R
• Tuition — $14,980
• Books — $474
• Tools — $1,635
• EPA Universal 608 exam — $100
• ESCO GWP/A2L certification — $45
• Published total — approximately $17,402.72

Skilled Welding
• Tuition — $15,665
• Books — $425
• Tools — $875
• AWS certification — $200
• Published total — approximately $17,269

ETI participates in federal financial-aid programs and states that qualifying students may receive grants, loans and scholarships.

Costs can change, so prospective students should confirm the current enrollment agreement before signing.

Why Students Choose This School

• Focused entirely on HVAC/R and welding
• Programs as short as seven months
• Day and evening schedules
• Hands-on career training
• EPA-related HVAC certification preparation
• AWS welding certification opportunity
• Federal financial aid for qualifying students
• Lifetime employment-assistance services advertised by the school

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue entry-level roles such as:

• HVAC/R Technician
• HVAC Installer
• Refrigeration Technician
• Building Maintenance Technician
• Welder
• Fabricator
• Production Welder
• Structural Welder

Program completion does not automatically provide occupational licenses where state or local licensing requirements apply.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.1 (167 Reviews)

The relatively large review count makes this rating more useful than ratings based on only a handful of reviews. Prospective students should still read recent reviews and focus on comments about the specific HVAC or welding program they are considering.

Enrollment Tips

• Compare the seven-month daytime schedule against the 12-month evening schedule
• Ask exactly which certification exams are included in the quoted cost
• Request the complete 2026 tuition and fee breakdown in writing
• Complete FAFSA before assuming you will pay the full published price
• Welding students should ask which AWS qualifications they can attempt
• HVAC students should confirm whether EPA 608 testing is taken before graduation

Bottom Line

ETI School of Skilled Trades is a strong Chicago-area option for students who already know they want HVAC/R or welding. Its biggest advantages are specialization, substantial hands-on training and relatively short program lengths. With published 2026 total program costs around $17,000 and federal financial aid available to qualifying students, it is also easier to evaluate financially than schools that do not publish clear tuition figures.