Best Trade Schools in Santa Clarita, California (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 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 Santa Clarita. This guide highlights accredited programs nearby, explains California licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. The North LA County area offers a practical mix of public community colleges, private career schools, and strong union apprenticeships1.

Top Trade Schools in Santa Clarita

Accredited options in Santa Clarita and nearby communities. Confirm program availability and campus locations before you enroll23.

School Program Length Highlights
College of the Canyons (Valencia) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public community college. CTE pathways in Welding, Automotive, Construction-related, and health programs. Regionally accredited2.
Los Angeles Pierce College (Woodland Hills) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public. Automotive Technology, Manufacturing/Industrial tech coursework, and allied health options2.
Los Angeles Mission College (Sylmar) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public. Construction and technical coursework; check catalog for current offerings2.
Los Angeles Trade–Technical College (Los Angeles) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Electrical, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing labs with employer links2.
North-West College – Pasadena 8–20 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. Allied health programs with externships and job placement support3.
American Career College – Los Angeles/Orange County (nearby) 9–24 months diplomas Career-focused allied health programs; check nearest campus for availability2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Residential and commercial construction plus solar integration support steady hiring; plan your DIR certification path14.
  • HVAC/R Technician: Hot summers and energy-efficiency retrofits keep shops busy; EPA 608 required15.
  • Welder: Fabrication and construction activity across LA County value AWS-aligned skills16.
  • Plumber: New housing, tenant improvements, and service calls create reliable work1.

Licensing Requirements in California

  • Electricians: State certification (DIR/DAS). Register as an Electrician Trainee while you gain hours unless in apprenticeship4.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 required to handle refrigerants; CSLB C-20 needed to contract for jobs 00+57.
  • Plumbing: Work under a contractor or obtain CSLB C-36 to bid 00+7.
  • Welding: No state license; employers may require AWS/code tests and local approvals6.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges: hybrid lecture + on-campus labs; evening/weekend cohorts available2.
  • Private schools: accelerated diplomas, externships, and multiple start dates3.
  • Ask about exam prep for EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, and other credentials.

Next Steps

  1. BLS Occupational Outlook + LA metro employment and wages. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. College Navigator — accreditation and program listings. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. ACCSC — Accredited Institutions Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  6. American Welding Society (AWS) — certifications. https://www.aws.org ↩ ↩

  7. California Contractors State License Board. https://www.cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.