Best Trade Schools in Fontana, California (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Disclaimer: This article is for education only, not professional advice. Always verify details with official sources. Some links, forms, or listings are sponsored or paid, which may affect their placement. We may earn from them. Read our full Disclaimer.

Here are the best schools in Fontana. Use this guide to compare accredited programs nearby, understand California licensing, and choose the right path. Demand for skilled workers stays strong across the Inland Empire, led by construction, logistics, and manufacturing growth¹.

Top Trade Schools in Fontana

These schools are within an easy drive of Fontana and offer accredited, career-focused training. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current offerings and schedules with the school²³.

School	Program Length	Highlights
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Rancho Cucamonga	9–18 months	ACCSC-accredited. Automotive, Diesel, and Welding programs. Hands-on labs, OEM-aligned training, and industry partnerships³.
Chaffey College – Rancho Cucamonga	12–24 months (cert/AS)	Public community college (regional accreditation). Automotive Technology (ASE Education Foundation-aligned), advanced manufacturing and industrial technology pathways².
San Bernardino Valley College – San Bernardino	12–24 months (cert/AS)	Public community college. Programs in Electrical Technology, Machinist Technology, Welding, and Automotive. Strong transfer and apprenticeship links².
UEI College – Riverside	10–12 months	ACCSC-accredited. HVAC Technician and Electrician Technician programs with day/evening schedules and externship support³.
InterCoast Colleges – Riverside	9–12 months	ACCET-accredited. HVAC Technician and Electrical Training programs. Blended learning options; exam prep for EPA 608 and entry-level electrical roles.
Riverside City College – Riverside	12–24 months (cert/AS)	Public community college. Automotive Technology, welding and electrical-related coursework, and work-based learning opportunities².
Norco College – Norco	12–24 months (cert/AS)	Public community college. Industrial Automation, Manufacturing Technology, and apprenticeship partnerships for electrical/controls careers².
Baldy View ROP – Upland	6–12 months (varies)	WASC-accredited regional occupational program. Introductory and advanced courses in construction trades, welding fundamentals, and HVAC basics for high school and adult learners.

Tips when comparing programs:

Verify institutional accreditation and program approvals (ACCSC, ACCET, or community college regional accreditation) on official directories²³.
Ask about employer partnerships, shop hours, and certification pass rates (ASE, EPA 608, AWS).
Check if the school helps with apprenticeships or on-the-job training placements.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician: Construction, warehousing, and logistics hubs are driving steady need for installation and maintenance electricians. The Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario metro sees consistent demand and solid wages for licensed electricians¹.
HVAC/R Technician: Population growth and hot summers keep HVAC service calls high. Techs with EPA 608 and strong troubleshooting skills are competitive for residential and light commercial roles¹.
Welder: Fabrication, transportation equipment, and construction projects across the Inland Empire rely on structural and manufacturing welders. Certifications in common processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW) help you stand out¹.
Plumber: New housing, tenant improvements, and water-efficiency retrofits support year-round work for plumbers and pipefitters. Apprenticeship is a proven path into the trade¹.

Licensing Requirements in California

Electricians (State Certification – DIR):

California requires state certification for electricians who work for a C-10 contractor.
Pathways include General Electrician (8,000 hours OJT), Residential (4,800 hours), Voice Data Video (4,000 hours), Fire/Life Safety (4,000 hours), and Nonresidential Lighting Technician (2,000 hours + coursework).
Steps: Enroll in an approved program or apprenticeship, document hours, apply, and pass the state exam through the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)⁴.
Working while you train: Register as an Electrician Trainee if you are not yet certified⁴.

HVAC (Contractors and Technicians):

No state journeyman license for HVAC technicians. To handle refrigerants, you must earn EPA Section 608 certification (Core + Type I/II/III as needed)⁵.
To run your own HVAC business or bid jobs, apply for the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) C-20 (HVAC) license. Requires 4 years of journeyman-level experience (or equivalent), background check, and passing trade and law/business exams⁶.
Many techs start as entry-level installers or service techs under a licensed C-20 contractor while they gain hours.

Plumbers:

California does not issue a statewide journeyman license for plumbers.
To contract independently, obtain the CSLB C-36 (Plumbing) contractor license. Requires 4 years of experience, verified work history, and passing trade and law/business exams⁶.
Apprenticeships through unions or approved programs are a common path to journeyman-level skills and steady employment.

Welders:

No state license is required to be a welder in California.
Employers commonly require industry certifications such as AWS D1.1 (structural steel) or process-specific performance qualifications. Training programs often include test prep and onsite testing⁷.
Some municipalities or agencies may have additional qualifications for structural or code work. Always confirm project requirements.

Online & Flexible Options

Blended learning: Several local schools use hybrid formats. Expect online theory with in-person shop labs. UTI, InterCoast, and UEI offer flexible schedules and evening cohorts for working adults.
Community colleges: Chaffey, SBVC, RCC, and Norco run short-term certificates, night classes, and stackable credentials. This is helpful if you want to work while training².
Exam prep: Look for EPA 608 prep and proctored testing built into HVAC programs. Electrician programs that align to California DIR competencies can shorten your study time⁴⁵.
Upskilling: After landing your first job, add certifications like ASE (automotive), AWS (welding), or manufacturer-specific credentials to increase your pay and job options¹⁷.

Next Steps

Compare programs and visit campuses. Start with your California hub: Trade Schools in California and the full Trade School Directory.
Pick a trade and review training paths: Trades Hub — Electrician, HVAC, Welding, Plumbing.
Plan licensing: Map your steps with California’s DIR for electricians, CSLB for contractors, and EPA 608 for HVAC.

If you need help choosing a program near Fontana, compare the schools above, confirm accreditation, and ask each campus about job placement, lab time, and certification success.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment data for construction and installation trades, 2024–2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – program and accreditation listings for California public colleges. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – accredited institution directory. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Electrician Certification Program – classifications, approved schools, trainee registration, and exams. ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Section 608 Technician Certification. ↩ ↩
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) – licensing classifications (C-20 HVAC, C-36 Plumbing, C-10 Electrical), experience requirements, and exams. ↩ ↩
American Welding Society (AWS) – welder certifications and code standards. ↩ ↩

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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.