Best Trade Schools in Aurora, Colorado (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Aurora. This guide compares accredited trade schools, the top programs to train for, and the steps to get licensed in Colorado. It’s built for career changers and recent grads who want clear answers. Electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and welders are in steady demand across the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Aurora

Below are accredited options in Aurora and the Denver metro. Program offerings and schedules can change. Confirm details with each school. Accreditations are noted for quality assurance23.

School Program Length Highlights
Pickens Technical College (Aurora) 6–24 months (certificates/diplomas) COE-accredited. Hands-on labs. Programs include HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Practical Nursing, Dental Assisting, Cosmetology. Day and evening options for adults and high school pathways2.
Concorde Career College – Aurora 8–20 months ACCSC-accredited. Healthcare focus: Medical Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Therapy, PN/NA. Clinical rotations with local partners3.
Emily Griffith Technical College (Denver) 6–12 months COE-accredited. Skilled trades and service programs: Welding, HVAC, Construction, Culinary, Cosmetology, CAD. Strong employer ties; flexible start dates2.
Lincoln Tech – Denver 10–18 months ACCSC-accredited. Automotive and Collision Repair training with ASE-aligned labs and manufacturer-specific modules. Day/evening schedules3.
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology – Denver Area (Broomfield) 12–20 months ACCSC-accredited. Aviation Maintenance Technology (A&P) and Nondestructive Testing. FAA-aligned training and high-bay hangar labs3.
Colorado School of Trades (Lakewood) ~14 months ACCSC-accredited. Specialized Gunsmithing diploma with extensive shop time, machining, and repair courses3.
Community College of Aurora (Aurora) 1–2 years (certificates/associate) HLC-accredited public college. Workforce certificates in EMT, Fire Science, Cybersecurity, Networking, Advanced Manufacturing pathways; transfer options2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Steady construction and maintenance work across the metro keeps electricians busy. Training often blends classroom instruction with paid apprenticeship. Colorado wages are competitive and job growth is solid1. See career paths and certifications: Electrician.

  • HVAC Technician

    • New construction, energy upgrades, and replacement of older systems drive HVAC hiring. Employers value EPA 608 certification for refrigerants and hands-on troubleshooting skills. Many programs offer day and evening sections1. Explore requirements: HVAC.

  • Welding

    • Fabrication, construction, manufacturing, and repair shops need welders who can read blueprints and pass code tests. Short programs can get you job-ready with SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes1. Learn more: Welding.

  • Plumbing

    • Residential and commercial projects, plus service work, keep licensed plumbers in demand. Apprenticeships lead to steady pay and benefits, with advancement to contractor roles after licensure1. Pathways explained: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Here are the steps and boards you’ll work with in Colorado. Always verify the latest rules before you apply.

  • Electricians (State Electrical Board – DORA)

    • Choose license: Residential Wireman, Journeyman, or Master.
    • Complete required on-the-job training hours under supervision (e.g., 4,000 Residential Wireman; 8,000 Journeyman; 10,000 Master).
    • Finish related classroom instruction through a school or apprenticeship.
    • Apply to the Colorado State Electrical Board, then pass the exam.
    • Renew your license and complete any required continuing education4.
    • Board: Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA)4.

  • Plumbers (State Plumbing Board – DORA)

    • Choose license: Residential, Journeyman, or Master Plumber.
    • Document the required hours of supervised experience (e.g., 3,400 Residential; 6,800 Journeyman; additional qualifying experience to become a Master).
    • Apply to the Colorado State Plumbing Board and pass the exam.
    • Renew on schedule and meet continuing education requirements when applicable5.
    • Board: Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA)5.

  • HVAC Technicians

    • Colorado has no statewide HVAC technician license.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.
    • Local jurisdictions may require a mechanical contractor license or registration for business owners/supervisors. Check Aurora/Adams/Arapahoe County and Denver permitting offices.
    • Optional credentials like NATE or ICE can help you advance.

  • Welders

    • No Colorado state welder license for general employment.
    • Employers and jobsites often require code certifications (e.g., AWS D1.1 structural, ASME boiler/pipe, or employer performance qualifications).
    • Earning industry-recognized credentials (AWS, NCCER) can improve employability7.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid schedules: Many metro Denver schools offer day, evening, or accelerated tracks. Lincoln Tech, Concorde, Emily Griffith, and Pickens commonly run multiple cohort starts and evening labs for working adults23.
  • Online theory, in-person labs: Programs may place safety, code, and theory modules online, while welding booths, HVAC trainers, electrical boards, or clinicals happen on campus or at partner sites. Expect an in-person skills check-off.
  • Test prep and CE: Electrician and plumber exam prep, plus EPA 608 study modules, are widely available in online formats. Verify proctored testing requirements before enrolling.
  • Community college flexibility: Community College of Aurora offers online and hybrid general education and workforce courses that can stack into certificates or AAS degrees2.

Next Steps

If you already know your trade, reach out to two or three schools above, ask about start dates and lab capacity, and schedule a campus tour. Bring your questions about certifications, externships, and job placement support.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment and wage data for Electricians, HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders; Denver–Aurora–Lakewood MSA and Colorado statewide Outlook. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – institutional profiles and program listings. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – campus accreditation listings. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), State Electrical Board – licensing rules, applications, and exam information. ↩ ↩

  5. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), State Plumbing Board – licensing rules, applications, and exam information. ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification – refrigerant handling requirements. ↩

  7. NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) – craft credentialing and certifications. ↩

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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.