Best Trade Schools in Palmdale, California (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Palmdale. This guide highlights accredited programs near you, explains California licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. The Antelope Valley’s aerospace, construction, and logistics sectors support skilled trades careers1.

Top Trade Schools in Palmdale

Accredited options in Palmdale and nearby. Confirm current program lists and campus locations before you apply23.

School Program Length Highlights
Antelope Valley College (Lancaster/Palmdale Center) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public community college. Welding, Automotive, Manufacturing/Engineering Tech, and allied health pathways2.
College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public. Welding, Automotive, construction-related programs; evening options2.
Los Angeles Trade–Technical College (Los Angeles) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding labs with employer ties2.
North-West College – Pasadena (regional) 8–20 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, VN with externships3.
Summit College – Santa Clarita/Colton (regional) 9–12 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, Electrician, Welding. Skills-focused labs3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: New housing, commercial builds, and aerospace facilities sustain demand; plan for DIR certification14.
  • HVAC/R Technician: Hot summers and industrial refrigeration; EPA 608 required15.
  • Welder: Fabrication and maintenance roles value AWS-aligned credentials16.
  • Plumber: Service and new construction support stable hiring; C-36 to contract 00+7.

Licensing Requirements in California

  • Electricians: State certification via DIR; register as an Electrician Trainee if not in apprenticeship4.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 required; CSLB C-20 to contract jobs 00+ or run a business57.
  • Plumbing: CSLB C-36 required for contracting 00+7.
  • Welding: No state license; employers may require AWS/code tests6.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges: hybrid theory with on-campus labs; evening/weekend cohorts2.
  • Private schools: accelerated programs and multiple start dates with externships3.

Next Steps

  1. BLS Occupational Outlook + Antelope Valley/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. EPA Section 608 Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

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

  7. California CSLB — contractor licensing. https://www.cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.