Best Trade Schools in Concord, California (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Concord and Contra Costa County. This guide lists accredited programs, California licensing, and in-demand trades in the East Bay1.

Top Trade Schools in Concord

Verify current offerings and accreditation23.

School Program Length Highlights
Diablo Valley College (Pleasant Hill/Concord) Certificates 6–12 months; A.S. ~2 years ACCJC accredited. Welding, Construction, Automotive, and advanced manufacturing with strong labs2.
Los Medanos College (Pittsburg) Certificates 6–12 months; A.S. ~2 years ACCJC accredited. Process Technology, HVAC-related, and technical programs with employer ties2.
IBEW Local 302 – Electrical JATC (Martinez) 3–5 years Registered electrical apprenticeship; paid OJT + classroom instruction.
UA Local 342 – Training Center (Concord) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR; paid training and certifications.

Licensing in California

  • Electrician: Electrician Trainee → OJT hours → DAS exam; C-10 to contract45.
  • HVAC: EPA 608; C-20 to contract65.
  • Plumbing: C-36 to contract5.
  • Welding: No state license; employer/jurisdiction code quals.

Next Steps

  • Compare CA programs: /trade-school/california/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National resources: /trade-school/

Visit labs, confirm accreditation, and map your training to California licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward Metro. bls.gov/oes ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. ACCSC/ACCET Directories. accsc.org, accet.org ↩

  4. CA DIR Electrician Certification. dir.ca.gov/das/ElectricalTrade.html ↩

  5. California CSLB. cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608. epa.gov/section608 ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.