Best Trade Schools in Irvine, California (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Irvine. This guide ranks accredited programs near you, explains California licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. Use it to pick a program that fits your goals and schedule. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in steady demand in the Los Angeles–Orange County metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Irvine

Accredited programs in Irvine and nearby Orange County:

School Program Length Highlights
Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) 6–24 months certificates; 2 years associate FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance, Welding Technology, Marine Science, and more. Strong labs and employer ties. Public, regionally accredited2.
Santa Ana College (Santa Ana) 1–12 months certificates; 2 years associate Welding, Automotive Technology, Pharmacy Technology, Fire Tech. Flexible certificate stacks. Public, regionally accredited2.
Cypress College (Cypress) 1–12 months certificates; 2 years associate Air Conditioning/Refrigeration, Automotive, Mortuary Science. Day and evening options. Public, regionally accredited2.
Southern California Institute of Technology (SCIT) (Anaheim) 9–24 months diplomas; 18–24 months associate Electrical Technology, HVAC, Biomedical Equipment Technology. Hands-on labs. Nationally accredited by ACCSC3.
Concorde Career College – Garden Grove 8–20 months diplomas; 2 years associate Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Vocational Nursing. Accelerated schedules. ACCSC-accredited3.
UEI College – Garden Grove 10–15 months diplomas HVAC, Electrician Technician, Medical Assistant. Frequent start dates. ACCSC-accredited3.
North-West College – Santa Ana 9–24 months diplomas Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Vocational Nursing. Externships with local clinics. Listed in College Navigator (nationally accredited)2.
American Career College – Orange County (Anaheim) 9–24 months diplomas; 2 years associate Surgical Technology, Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, VN. Hybrid options. Listed in College Navigator (nationally accredited)2.

Notes:

  • Community colleges offer low-cost CTE certificates and associate degrees with strong transfer and apprenticeship pathways2.
  • Private career schools provide accelerated, hands-on training and frequent starts. Verify programmatic approvals for health programs (VN, Surgical Tech) before enrolling23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Work includes installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting in homes, businesses, and industrial sites.
    • Growth is steady as construction and clean energy projects expand. The Los Angeles–Anaheim metro employs one of the largest electrician workforces in the nation1.
    • Many employers prefer graduates of approved training or apprenticeships, plus an active trainee or journeyman status with the state.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Jobs focus on heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems in residential and commercial settings.
    • Year-round service demand in Orange County. EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling1.
    • Employers value hands-on lab experience and brazing, electrical, and diagnostics skills.

  • Welder

    • Welders work in fabrication, construction, aerospace, and marine sectors. Orange County’s manufacturing base supports welding roles year-round.
    • Common certifications include AWS processes such as SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW. Fabrication and blueprint reading boost employability1.

  • Plumber

    • Install and repair water, gas, and drainage systems. Jobs are steady due to new building, retrofits, and maintenance.
    • Many plumbers in California qualify through apprenticeship and become licensed contractors to run their own business1.

For detailed pay and outlook, see the BLS Occupational Outlook profiles for each trade1.

Licensing Requirements in California

Know the rules before you choose a program or job:

  • Electrician (Employee/Individual)

    • The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) runs the Electrician Certification Program.
    • Paths:
    • Register as an Electrician Trainee in an approved program, log supervised hours, and pass the state exam, or
    • Complete an approved apprenticeship and pass the exam.
    • Classifications include General Electrician, Residential, Fire/Life Safety, Voice Data Video, and Nonresidential Lighting Technician. Each has specific hour requirements and one exam through DIR.

  • HVAC Technician

    • California does not license HVAC technicians at the state level to work as employees.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants.
    • To run an HVAC business or bid jobs, you need a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning contractor license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

  • Plumber

    • California does not license journeyman plumbers statewide for employment.
    • To contract directly with customers or pull permits, you need a C-36 Plumbing contractor license from CSLB.
    • Many cities require permits for certain plumbing work. Employers may require proof of apprenticeship completion.

  • Welder

    • No state license, but employers often require AWS certifications matched to process and position.
    • Structural jobs may require city cards or special procedure qualifications.

  • Contractor Licensing (CSLB)

    • Any business contracting 00 or more in labor and materials requires a CSLB license.
    • Basic steps: verify classification, document experience, pass trade and law/business exams, fingerprinting/background check, and bonding/insurance.

Always confirm current requirements with:

  • California DIR Electrician Certification Program
  • Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
  • EPA Section 608 certification info
  • AWS certification directories

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges in Orange County offer hybrid courses for many CTE pathways, with required in-person labs for hands-on skills2.
  • Private career schools often run day, evening, and weekend cohorts. Ask about externships and lab schedules before you enroll23.
  • Fully online study works for theory-heavy subjects like IT support, drafting/CAD basics, medical billing, or construction management. For tool-based trades such as HVAC, welding, or electrical, expect campus labs or on-the-job training.
  • If you need to work while training, look for:
    • Cohorts with evening labs
    • Modular certificates you can stack into an associate degree
    • Employer-sponsored apprenticeships with paid OJT

Next Steps

If you already know your trade, start with these pages:

Choose a program with recognized accreditation, strong labs, and direct employer connections. Confirm state licensing steps for your trade before you enroll.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and May 2023 metro employment data for the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim area. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator — institutional profiles, programs, and accreditation for listed schools. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) — Directory of Accredited Institutions. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/Accredited-Institutions.aspx ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.