Best Trade Schools in Stockton, California (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Stockton. This guide highlights accredited programs, program lengths, and specialties so you can choose fast. It also explains California licensing for electricians, HVAC, welding, and plumbing, and why these jobs stay in demand12.

Top Trade Schools in Stockton

Below are accredited options in Stockton and nearby cities within an easy drive. Program availability can vary by campus, so confirm the program you want before you apply23.

School Typical Program Length Highlights
San Joaquin Delta College (Stockton) Certificates: 1–2 semesters; A.S.: ~2 years Public community college. Hands-on labs in Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, Advanced Manufacturing/Industrial Technology. Strong employer ties and union pathways. Institutional accreditation: ACCJC/WASC2.
UEI College – Stockton Diplomas: ~10 months ACCSC-accredited career school. Day/evening schedules. Popular programs include HVAC, Electrician Technician, and Automotive Technician. Externship support and career services3.
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) – Stockton Certificates: ~10–14 months; A.S.: ~14–20 months Career-focused college with labs for HVAC-R and Electrical Technology (check campus for availability). Institutional accreditation: ACCJC/WASC2.
Carrington College – Stockton Certificates: ~9–12 months; A.S.: ~18 months Healthcare trades such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Pharmacy Technology. Good option for clinical labs and externships. Institutional accreditation: ACCJC/WASC2.
Milan Institute of Cosmetology – Stockton Certificates: ~9–12 months NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology and Esthetics programs that prepare you for California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure exams. Flexible schedules.
Modesto Junior College (near Stockton) Certificates: 1–2 semesters; A.S.: ~2 years Strong technical programs in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Welding, Industrial Electronics, and Automotive Technology. Institutional accreditation: ACCJC/WASC2.
Institute of Technology (IOT) – Modesto Diplomas: ~9–12 months ACCSC-accredited. Intensive HVAC/R and Industrial Maintenance & Automation training. Employer advisory boards and career support3.

Tip: Visit each campus lab before enrolling. Good programs show you the equipment, safety practices, and projects you will complete.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Electricians keep Stockton’s homes, warehouses, and food processors running. Utility upgrades, solar integration, and logistics facilities support steady hiring. Apprenticeship and certification lead to reliable, well-paid work1. Learn more: Electrician career path.

  • HVAC/R Technician HVAC techs service air conditioning and refrigeration across homes, hospitals, and cold-storage facilities. Stockton’s hot summers and regional food logistics mean year-round work on comfort cooling and commercial refrigeration1. Explore the field: HVAC careers.

  • Welder Welders support fabrication, maintenance, and construction. Central Valley manufacturers and ag equipment firms value structural and pipe welding skills. Certifications and clean safety records help you advance1. See details: Welding careers.

  • Plumber Plumbers install and service water, sewer, and gas systems in residential and commercial work. Service companies and mechanical contractors hire trainees who show mechanical aptitude and reliability1. Learn more: Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in California

Use these quick steps to plan your path. Always verify requirements with the state before you apply.

  • California contractor rule

    • You must hold a Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license for any job with labor and materials totaling 00 or more4.
    • Common classifications:
    • C-10 Electrical Contractor
    • C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning
    • C-36 Plumbing

  • Electricians (employee certification)

    • California requires state electrician certification (not a contractor license) for most electrical workers who are not apprentices5.
    • Steps: 1) Choose your classification (General, Residential, Voice/Data/Video, Fire/Life Safety, Nonresidential Lighting)5. 2) If you are new, register as an Electrician Trainee (ET) and enroll with an approved school or join an apprenticeship5. 3) Complete required on-the-job hours and classroom hours for your classification. 4) Apply and pass the state exam (administered for DIR). Renew every 3 years with 32 hours of continuing education5.

  • HVAC technicians

    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.
    • To run an HVAC business or advertise services, obtain a CSLB C-20 license. You need four years of journeyman-level experience (or equivalent), pass trade and law exams, submit fingerprints, and meet bond/insurance rules4.

  • Plumbers

    • To contract directly with customers, you need the CSLB C-36 license (same experience and exam framework as above)4.
    • Many plumbers enter through a state-registered apprenticeship with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS)7.

  • Welders

    • California does not issue a statewide “welder license.” Employers or local jurisdictions may require performance qualifications to specific codes (for example, structural steel or pressure vessels). Community colleges and trade schools prepare you for common certifications and code tests. Job descriptions often reference industry-recognized credentials8.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Many Stockton-area schools offer blended schedules. Expect theory online and hands-on labs on campus for HVAC, electrical, welding, and maintenance.
  • Electrician trainees must use DIR-approved providers for related instruction. Verify that any online course meets California rules before enrolling5.
  • EPA 608 exam prep can be completed online; your certification is issued after passing an approved proctored test6.
  • If you work full time, seek evening or weekend cohorts and ask about make-up lab days. Schools like UEI, SJVC, and IOT commonly offer multiple schedule blocks23.

How to Choose a Program

  • Look for accreditation and state approvals. Institutional accreditation improves credit transfer and aid eligibility2.
  • Tour the labs. Ask to see current projects in HVAC refrigeration boards, electrical motor controls, welding booths, or plumbing mockups.
  • Ask about employer partnerships. Unions, service companies, and manufacturers often recruit straight from the lab floor.
  • Confirm outcomes. Request recent completion, certification pass, and job placement data for your specific program.
  • Plan your license path upfront. If your goal is contracting, you will need CSLB experience hours. Keep detailed work logs and W-2s or 1099s to document your time4.

Next Steps

Stockton has solid options for getting skills and a clear path to state credentials. Visit programs, confirm your license plan, and get started this term.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC/R, Plumbers, Welders). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), License Requirements and Classifications. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. California DIR, Electrician Certification Program. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ecu/ElectricalTrade.html ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  7. California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/ ↩

  8. O*NET OnLine, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121.00). https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00 ↩

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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.