Best Trade Schools in Oxnard, California (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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 Oxnard. This page lists accredited options, the trades hiring in Ventura County, and California licensing steps. Use it to compare local programs and pick the fastest path to a job. Labor demand for skilled trades remains solid in California, especially in construction, HVAC, and electrical work1. School details below are verified with U.S. Department of Education data2.

Top Trade Schools in Oxnard

Programs and accreditation verified via U.S. Department of Education College Navigator2. Apprenticeships noted are approved by California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

School Program Length Highlights
Oxnard College (Oxnard) Certificates: ~8–18 months; Associate degrees: 2 years Public community college. Automotive Technology with hands-on labs (ASE-aligned), Fire Academy, Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene clinic, manufacturing and technical certificates. Strong student support and transfer options.
Ventura College (Ventura) Certificates: ~9–18 months; Associate degrees: 2 years Public community college. Construction Technology and Automotive Technology labs, Water Science (water/wastewater operations), manufacturing and electronics options. Career center and employer partnerships.
Moorpark College (Moorpark) Certificates: ~9–24 months; Associate degrees: 2 years Public community college serving Ventura County. Career programs in biotechnology, computer networking, radiologic technology, and technical trades pathways. Modern facilities and employer ties.
Career Care Institute – Oxnard (Oxnard) Certificates: ~9–15 months Private, institutionally accredited career school. Hands-on allied health programs such as Medical Assisting and Vocational Nursing with local clinical partners. Accelerated schedules and job placement assistance.
Ventura County Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 952, Ventura) Apprenticeship: ~5 years Paid, CA DIR-approved electrical apprenticeship. Combines classroom instruction with full-time on-the-job training. Prepares for California General Electrician certification exam and journeyman status.
Southwest Carpenters Training Center – Ventura County (Camarillo) Apprenticeship: ~4 years Paid, CA DIR-approved carpentry apprenticeship. Training in formwork, framing, interior systems, and safety. Earn industry credentials while working.
Santa Barbara City College – Career Programs (Santa Barbara) Certificates: ~9–18 months; Associate degrees: 2 years Public community college near Oxnard. Well-known Marine Diving Technologies and additional technical and construction-related programs. Strong industry recognition and labs.

Tip: Visit each program’s website or request an info session to confirm current start dates and admissions. For more California options, see the state hub: Trade Schools in California.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Steady projects in residential, commercial, and public infrastructure are keeping electricians busy in Ventura County and across California1. Apprenticeships pay while you learn, and state certification adds job mobility. Learn the path on our Electrician hub.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Heat waves, energy retrofits, and building code upgrades drive HVAC demand in Southern California1. EPA Section 608 is required for refrigerants. Many local techs start with a short certificate and stack advanced credentials. Explore the HVAC career path.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, marine, and construction sectors need welders. Employers value process tests (SMAW, FCAW, GMAW) and code-cert performance. AWS certifications are common employer requirements3. See training tips on our Welding page.

  • Plumber/Pipefitter

    • New construction and service work support strong demand in plumbing and pipe trades1. Union and merit-shop apprenticeships in the region offer paid training and industry credentials. Learn more on our Plumbing guide.

Licensing Requirements in California

California regulates trades through state certification and contractor licensing. Here are the basics:

  • Electricians (Employees)

    • California requires state electrician certification (not a contractor license) for most electricians who work for a C-10 contractor.
    • Paths to exam eligibility include: approved apprenticeship, Electrician Trainee hours with an approved school, or documented on-the-job experience (e.g., 8,000 hours for General Electrician).
    • Pass the state exam and renew with continuing education4.
    • To run your own electrical business, you need a C-10 Electrical Contractor license from the CSLB5.

  • HVAC Technicians

    • No state journeyman license for employees. EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.
    • To contract independently, obtain a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Contractor license from the CSLB5.

  • Plumbers

    • No state journeyman license for employees. Unions and employers validate skill through apprenticeship and on-the-job experience.
    • To operate as a contractor, obtain a C-36 Plumbing Contractor license from the CSLB5.

  • Welders

    • No state welder license. Employers often require performance qualifications to specific welding codes (e.g., AWS D1.1)3.
    • If working on structural projects in certain jurisdictions, additional local certifications may apply.

  • California Contractor Licensing (CSLB) Overview

    • Minimum 4 years of journey-level experience in the trade within the last 10 years, pass trade and law/business exams, provide bonding and insurance.
    • Classifications relevant to trades above: C-10 (Electrical), C-20 (HVAC), C-36 (Plumbing), plus others for specialty work5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges in Ventura County offer hybrid formats for many career certificates. Expect online theory with required in-person labs and clinicals.
  • Electrician trainees can complete approved classroom hours through evening or hybrid courses, but hands-on training and supervised work hours are essential for California certification4.
  • HVAC fundamentals, load calculations, and controls theory adapt well to online modules. EPA 608 exam prep is widely available online; testing is offered through approved proctors6.
  • Welding requires in-person booth time. Some schools blend online safety and blueprint reading with on-campus lab blocks.
  • Apprenticeships blend jobsite learning with evening or weekend classes. You earn while you learn, and related training is often tuition-free to apprentices.

If you need flexible pacing, ask each school about night sections, accelerated cohorts, and credit for prior experience. You can also compare paths and timelines on our Trades hub.

Next Steps

Have 15 minutes? Make a short list of 2–3 programs above and schedule campus tours. Ask about start dates, hands-on hours, certifications prepared, and job placement support.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections and Occupational Outlook. Strong demand continues for construction and maintenance trades in the U.S. and California. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. School accreditation and program listings for Oxnard College, Ventura College, Moorpark College, Career Care Institute, and Santa Barbara City College. ↩ ↩

  3. American Welding Society (AWS). Welder performance qualification standards commonly required by employers. ↩ ↩

  4. California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Electrician Certification Program. State requirements for trainee registration, work hours, exams, and renewal. ↩ ↩

  5. California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Contractor licensing classifications, experience requirements, and exams for C-10, C-20, C-36, and others. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. Refrigerant handling requirements for HVAC technicians. ↩ ↩

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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.