Best Trade Schools in Garden Grove, California (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Garden Grove. This guide compares accredited programs in Orange County, explains California licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. Construction, logistics, healthcare, and green energy drive steady demand across the OC-LA metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Garden Grove

Accredited options in Garden Grove and nearby cities. Verify campus program lists and start dates before applying23.

School Program Length Highlights
Concorde Career College – Garden Grove 8–20 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Surgical Tech, VN. Externships and employer ties3.
UEI College – Garden Grove 10–15 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, Electrician Technician, Medical Assistant. Frequent starts and hands-on labs3.
Santa Ana College (Santa Ana) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public. Welding, Automotive, Pharmacy Tech, Fire Tech, and more. Evening options2.
Cypress College (Cypress) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Automotive, and technical trades2.
Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Aviation Maintenance, Welding, Automotive, Marine-related labs. Public, regionally accredited2.
Southern California Institute of Technology (SCIT) – Anaheim 9–24 months Electrical Technology, HVAC, Biomedical Equipment Tech. ACCSC-accredited3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Residential and commercial projects plus EV/solar work sustain demand; DIR certification required for most roles14.
  • HVAC/R Technician: Year-round service with EPA 608 required; C-20 needed to contract 00+56.
  • Welder: Fabrication and construction across OC value AWS-aligned skills and safety credentials17.
  • Plumber: New housing, TI work, and service calls provide steady employment1.

Licensing Requirements in California

  • Electricians: Register as an Electrician Trainee (if not in apprenticeship), complete hours, and pass the state exam through DIR/DAS4.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 for refrigerants; CSLB C-20 license to operate a business or bid 00+56.
  • Plumbing: Work under a licensed contractor or obtain CSLB C-36 to contract 00+6.
  • Welding: No state license; employers or jurisdictions may require performance quals7.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges: hybrid lecture + in-person labs, evening cohorts2.
  • Private schools: accelerated programs, externships, multiple start dates3.
  • Ask about built-in prep for EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, and AWS.

Next Steps

  1. BLS Occupational Outlook + Orange County/LA metro data. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. ACCSC Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. California DIR — Electrician Certification. https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/ElectricalTrade.html ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA — Section 608. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  6. California CSLB. https://www.cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. American Welding Society. https://www.aws.org ↩ ↩

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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.