Quick Facts

• Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin
• Address: 800 Main St, Pewaukee, WI 53072
• School Type: Public Technical College
• Programs Offered: HVAC/R, Welding, Metal Fabrication, Automotive, Diesel, Industrial Maintenance, CNC, Automation, Carpentry, Construction, Electrical Apprenticeships and many more
• Training Style: Hands-on labs, technical diplomas, associate degrees, apprenticeships and short-term credentials
• Tuition Range: $157.45 per credit for Wisconsin residents for standard courses effective May 2026, plus activity/material fees
• Program Length: Certificates to 1- and 2-year credentials; apprenticeships vary by occupation
• Online Programs Available: Yes, depending on field
• Hybrid Learning: Yes, selected programs/courses
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, loans, scholarships, veteran benefits and payment plans for qualifying programs
• Class Options: Day, evening, on-campus and selected flexible delivery
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.3 (189 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Waukesha County Technical College is a major public technical college serving southeastern Wisconsin from its Pewaukee campus. Its School of Applied Technologies offers a particularly deep lineup for students interested in automotive, diesel, HVAC/R, welding, industrial maintenance, machining, automation and construction trades.

The college has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1975 and currently participates in HLC’s Open Pathway.

For many students, WCTC’s major advantage is the ability to stack credentials. Several automotive and diesel programs, for example, start with a shorter technical diploma and allow credits to continue toward higher credentials.

Programs Offered

Trade and technical pathways include:

• HVAC/R Technician
• Welding Technician
• Metal Fabrication/Welding
• Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair
• Automotive Maintenance Technician
• Automotive Technology
• GM ASEP Automotive Technology
• Diesel Maintenance Technician
• Diesel Equipment Mechanic
• Diesel Equipment Technology
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship
• Building Trades – Carpentry
• CNC and machining
• Automation/PLCs
• Construction technologies and apprenticeships

HVAC/R Technician

The HVAC/R Technician program is a 28-credit technical diploma designed to be completed in about one year. Classes begin in August and January, with both daytime and evening options currently listed.

Students learn to safely install, maintain and service heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment used in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

Welding Programs

WCTC provides multiple welding routes.

The Welding Technician diploma is:

• 19 credits
• Approximately 1 year
• August or January starts
• Campus-based

Training covers blueprint/print reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma cutting, air carbon arc cutting and introductory GMAW/FCAW processes.

Students seeking broader fabrication skills can pursue the 33-credit Metal Fabrication/Welding diploma, also designed for approximately one year. It adds computer-controlled equipment, fabrication and more advanced manufacturing processes.

WCTC even offers a two-year welding apprenticeship, combining classroom instruction with employer-based apprenticeship training.

Automotive Technology

WCTC offers one of the more complete automotive ladders in this Wisconsin batch.

Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair

• 21 credits
• Approximately 1 year
• Classroom + lab training
• Covers engine, drivetrain, brakes, electrical, steering and suspension
• EPA 609 and selected ASE student-certification opportunities

Automotive Maintenance Technician

The next level is a 45-credit technical diploma requiring about two years. It expands into engines, transmissions, electrical systems, advanced chassis systems, hybrids and HVAC.

The program is accredited at the ASE Master Automobile Service Technology level and gives students opportunities to earn all eight ASE student certifications plus EPA 609 certification.

WCTC also offers an Automotive Technology associate degree and a specialized GM ASEP option.

Diesel Training

Students can also progress through a stackable diesel pathway.

The entry Diesel Maintenance Technician diploma is:

• 22 credits
• About 1 year
• Campus-based
• Daytime
• August start

Training covers brakes and air systems, drivetrains, preventive maintenance and electrical/electronic systems.

Those credits can later apply toward Diesel Equipment Mechanic and the Diesel Equipment Technology associate degree.

Industrial Maintenance

WCTC’s Industrial Maintenance Technician program combines:

• Welding
• Hydraulics
• Electricity
• Mechanical fundamentals
• Machine alignment
• Electronics
• Computerized equipment maintenance
• Preventive/predictive maintenance

A particularly useful feature is that successful completion satisfies Wisconsin’s related-instruction requirements for a maintenance/millwright apprenticeship.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Effective May 2026, WCTC charges:

• Wisconsin residents — $157.45 per credit
• Out-of-state, in-person — $236.18 per credit
• Out-of-state, online — $167.45 per credit

Additional current charges include:

• Minimum material fee — $6 per course
• Activity fee — $11.05 per credit
• Student accident insurance — $4.50 per semester

WCTC’s FAFSA school code is 005294. Financial aid can include loans, grants and scholarships depending on program eligibility. Payment plans are also available.

Most associate degrees and technical diplomas qualify for financial aid, but there are important exceptions. Certificates and apprenticeships generally do not qualify for federal financial aid, and programs such as Welding Technician, Diesel Maintenance Technician and Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair have limited aid eligibility.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public-college tuition
• Strong automotive pathway
• ASE Master-accredited automotive training
• Multiple diesel credentials
• HVAC/R program with day/evening options
• Welding and fabrication choices
• Industrial maintenance training
• Apprenticeship opportunities
• Stackable certificates and diplomas
• Federal aid for many eligible programs

Career Opportunities

Depending on program, graduates may pursue roles such as:

• HVAC/R Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Automotive Technician
• Diesel Technician
• Heavy Equipment Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• CNC Technician
• Automation Technician
• Electrical Apprentice
• Carpenter

Some jobs require additional apprenticeship, licensing or certification.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.3 (189 Reviews)

That is a solid rating with a relatively large review sample. Applicants should still concentrate on feedback specific to their program and instructors.

Enrollment Tips

WCTC’s stackable pathways are worth studying before enrolling. For example, automotive students can move from light repair to the 45-credit Automotive Maintenance Technician diploma and eventually the associate degree. Diesel has a similar progression.

Students should also check financial-aid eligibility before choosing the shortest credential, because WCTC specifically notes that apprenticeships, certificates and several short technical diplomas have limited or no federal aid.

Bottom Line

Waukesha County Technical College is one of Wisconsin’s strongest all-around public trade schools. It is especially competitive for automotive, diesel, HVAC/R, welding and industrial maintenance, with current resident tuition starting at $157.45 per credit plus fees. Its combination of hands-on labs, stackable credentials and apprenticeship opportunities makes it a strong alternative to higher-cost private career schools.