Best Trade Schools in Fremont, California (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Fremont. This page pulls together accredited programs near you, what each school does well, and how California licensing works. If you are changing careers or graduating high school, use this to pick a program and map the steps to a license. Demand for skilled trades remains strong across the Bay Area¹.

Top Trade Schools in Fremont

School	Program Length	Highlights
Ohlone College - Fremont and Newark	1 to 2 years for most certificates and degrees	Public community college. ACCJC accredited. Strong labs for health sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and IT. Stackable certificates and associate degrees².
Chabot College - Hayward	1 to 2 years	ACCJC accredited. Career programs in Welding Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Automotive Technology, and Industrial Technology. Modern fabrication and automotive labs².
Laney College - Oakland	1 to 2 years	ACCJC accredited. Known for Electrical Technology, Carpentry, Welding, Machine Technology, and CTE pathways tied to Bay Area employers².
Unitek College - Fremont	9 to 20 months	ACCSC accredited. Fast-track healthcare programs like Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Vocational Nursing with hands-on labs³.
Institute for Business & Technology (IBT) - Santa Clara	9 to 12 months	ACCSC accredited. HVAC Technician and other technical and medical programs with day and evening schedules³.
UEI College - Hayward	9 to 12 months	ACCSC accredited. Career programs such as HVAC, Electrician Technician, Automotive, and allied health with frequent starts and externships³.
Carrington College - San Jose	9 to 24 months	ACCJC accredited. Allied health focus including Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing, and Veterinary Assistant. Career services support².
College of Alameda - Alameda	18 to 24 months	ACCJC accredited. Aviation Maintenance Technology and automotive collision repair with FAA-aligned coursework and hands-on hangar facilities².

Tip: Community colleges listed above are regionally accredited by ACCJC and appear in College Navigator. Private career schools listed above carry national programmatic or institutional accreditation such as ACCSC²³.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

The Bay Area continues to build housing, labs, data centers, and transit upgrades. That needs electricians for install, controls, and maintenance. National employment for electricians is projected to grow, and pay is strong in metro areas like the East Bay¹. If you want this path, explore training and apprenticeships on our electrician page: Electrician.

HVAC

HVAC techs keep buildings comfortable, energy efficient, and code compliant. Growth is steady as older systems are replaced and heat pump adoption expands¹. Fremont’s mix of residential and commercial buildings creates year-round service work. See the training path and certifications here: HVAC.

Welding

Welders support manufacturing, fabrication, construction, and facility maintenance. Employers look for process versatility, safety, and code test performance. Even where national growth is modest, replacement needs keep openings steady¹. Compare program options and certifications: Welding.

Plumbing

Plumbers handle new construction, service, and piping for labs and advanced manufacturing. Steady demand, strong wages, and a clear apprenticeship pathway make it a good bet¹. Learn how to start and get licensed to contract: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in California

General

Specialty contractors must hold a California Contractors State License Board license for jobs totaling 500 dollars or more⁴.
Apprenticeships are state approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards within the Department of Industrial Relations⁵.

Electrician

California requires state certification for electricians who are not registered apprentices⁵.
Steps:
- Choose classification: General, Residential, Fire/Life Safety, Voice-Data-Video, or Nonresidential Lighting Technician⁵.
- Get supervised on-the-job experience and classroom hours. Many candidates train through a registered apprenticeship.
- Apply and pass the state certification exam with the DIR Electrician Certification Unit.
- Renew every 3 years with continuing education⁵.

HVAC

Technicians who handle refrigerants must earn EPA Section 608 certification⁶.
To run your own HVAC business or bid on jobs over 500 dollars, get a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning contractor license from CSLB. Requirements include 4 years of journey-level experience, trade and law exams, background check, and bonding⁴.
Many employers prefer OSHA-10/30 and manufacturer-specific training.

Plumbing

To contract, earn a CSLB C-36 Plumbing license with 4 years of experience, trade and law exams, background check, and bonding⁴.
Apprenticeship through UA locals or other sponsors provides paid experience and classroom training. Journeyman status can meet CSLB experience requirements⁵.

Welding

No statewide welder license. Employers often require performance qualifications to specific codes and acceptance by an approved testing facility. NCCER and other recognized credentials can help document skills⁷.
Contractors performing structural work must comply with local and project code requirements. CSLB licensure applies when contracting⁴.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid training works well in the trades. Many schools here deliver theory online and skills in on-campus labs. Look for evening or weekend labs if you work full time.
EPA 608 exam preparation can be completed online, with approved proctored testing options available⁶.
Community colleges often offer short, stackable certificates that build toward an associate degree. Private career schools run accelerated daytime or evening cohorts with frequent start dates.
Apprenticeships blend paid work with classes at night or on weekends. You earn while you learn, build hours required for certification or licensure, and get placement support from the training center⁵.

Next Steps

Compare more schools and programs: California Trade Schools and the national Trade School Hub.
Decide on a path:
- Electrician: start here Electrician
- HVAC: start here HVAC
- Welding: start here Welding
- Plumbing: start here Plumbing
Learn how paid training works: Apprenticeships Guide
Plan your budget: Financial Aid for Trade School
Have a shortlist in Fremont or nearby Hayward, Santa Clara, or Oakland. Visit labs, ask about job placement, and confirm accreditation and state approval through College Navigator and accrediting directories²³.

Electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and welders keep the Bay Area running. Pick a focused program, get certified or licensed where required, and start applying for entry-level roles while you are in school. Employers value hands-on practice, safety mindset, and reliability.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians, HVACR Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, and Welders job outlook and wages. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation and program listings for public colleges. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited School Directory. https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
California Contractors State License Board. License classifications, experience requirements, exams, and application process. https://www.cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement - Electrician Certification and Apprenticeship standards. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ecu/ElectricalCertification.htm and https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Management Program. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩
NCCER, Industry-recognized credentials and welding pathway information. https://www.nccer.org ↩

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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.