Best Trade Schools in Caldwell, Idaho (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 Caldwell. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, program length, specialties, and how licensing works in Idaho. We focused on options in Caldwell and the Treasure Valley. Trades like electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing continue to see steady demand and good wages in the Boise metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Caldwell

Below are quality, accredited or state-recognized training options near Caldwell. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current details with the school.

School Program Length Highlights
College of Western Idaho (Nampa and Boise) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS 2 years; Apprenticeships 4 years part-time Regionally accredited. Welding, machining, automotive, diesel, cybersecurity, medical assistant, plus electrical, plumbing, and HVAC apprenticeship classroom training. Strong employer ties and labs2.
Northwest Lineman College (Meridian) Electrical Lineworker 15 weeks; Gas/Telecom 7–10 weeks ACCSC accredited. Intensive pole yard training, safety certs, CDL prep, and career placement support for utility linework careers3.
Carrington College (Boise) 9–21 months depending on program ACCSC accredited. Hands-on allied health programs such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, and Surgical Technology with lab simulations3.
Milan Institute (Nampa) 8–12 months typical Nationally accredited. Programs in Medical Assisting, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Massage Therapy. Flexible schedules for adult learners2.
Paul Mitchell The School Boise Cosmetology 1,600 hours; Esthetics 600 hours NACCAS accredited. Prepares for Idaho cosmetology and esthetics licensing exams. Strong focus on client hours and salon-readiness2.
Treasure Valley Community College – Caldwell Center Certificates 1 year; AAS 2 years Regionally accredited. Caldwell Center supports advising and selected programs. Many technical labs are at the Ontario campus 25–30 minutes away. Pathways include welding, industrial technology, and health2.
IEC of Idaho – Electrical Apprenticeship (Meridian) 4 years while employed U.S. DOL-registered apprenticeship with 8,000 OJT hours and 576 classroom hours. Prepares for Idaho journeyman electrician exam. Evening classes for working apprentices4.

Also worth a look: SAGE Truck Driving School at CWI Workforce Development in Nampa for Class A CDL in about 4–6 weeks of training, delivered with significant behind-the-wheel time. State-approved provider with employer recruiting events2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New construction, industrial, and service work across the Boise metro keep electricians busy1. Apprentices earn while they learn. Journeyman licensing leads to strong pay and stable work. See career details at our electrician hub: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Growth in residential building and retrofits is driving steady demand for HVAC techs1. EPA Section 608 is required to work with refrigerants, and Idaho also licenses HVAC journeymen and contractors. Explore the field: HVAC.

  • Welder and Fabricator

    • Manufacturing, ag equipment, and construction shops need welders who can pass bend tests and read blueprints. AWS and NCCER credentials help you stand out5. Learn the pathways: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Service and construction employers in the Treasure Valley hire plumbing apprentices year-round. A journeyman license increases pay and independence1. Get the overview: Plumbing.

BLS data shows stable employment and competitive wages for construction and repair trades in the Boise City metro, which includes Caldwell and Nampa1.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Electrician licensing – Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)4

  • Register as an apprentice with DOPL and work under a licensed contractor.
  • Complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of approved classroom instruction, typically over 4 years.
  • Pass the Idaho journeyman electrician exam.
  • Electrical contractor licensing requires experience, exam, and business requirements such as insurance and bonding.

HVAC licensing – Idaho DOPL HVAC Board4

  • Register as an HVAC apprentice and accumulate OJT and classroom hours through an approved program.
  • Pass the Idaho HVAC journeyman exam after completing the apprenticeship.
  • Contractor licensing requires additional experience, exam, and business qualifications.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required for anyone who services or disposes of refrigerant-containing equipment6.

Plumbing licensing – Idaho DOPL Plumbing Board4

  • Register as a plumbing apprentice and complete a 4-year program with 8,000 OJT hours plus related training.
  • Pass the Idaho journeyman plumber exam.
  • Plumbing contractor licensing requires verified experience, exam, and business documentation.

Welding credentials

  • Idaho does not issue a state welder license. Employers typically require process-specific certifications such as AWS D1.1 structural steel, ASME for pressure piping, or similar procedure qualifications. NCCER credentials are widely recognized by contractors5.

Cosmetology and Esthetics

  • Idaho licenses cosmetologists and estheticians after completing state-approved hours and passing exams. Schools like Paul Mitchell Boise prepare you for these exams2.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges

    • College of Western Idaho offers hybrid formats. Many technical programs include online theory with on-campus labs and evening sections for working students2.

  • Apprenticeships

    • IEC of Idaho runs evening classes so you can work full time while earning related technical instruction toward journeyman licensing4.

  • Allied health

    • Carrington College blends online coursework with on-site labs and clinical rotations in Boise3.

  • Short courses and credentials

    • OSHA-10/30, CPR, flagger, and NCCER modules are offered in accelerated formats through college workforce divisions and training centers5.

  • CDL training

    • SAGE at CWI focuses on behind-the-wheel hours with flexible start dates and employer recruiting visits2.

Tip: Even when courses are online, expect to attend in-person labs, assessments, or clinicals for hands-on trades.

Next Steps

If you live in Caldwell, tour programs at College of Western Idaho in Nampa first. Add one specialized school, like Northwest Lineman College or IEC of Idaho, if that matches your goal. Confirm accreditation, program outcomes, and exam pass rates before you enroll234.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Boise City, ID MSA. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_14260.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, School Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Electricians, Plumbing, and HVAC licensing. https://dopl.idaho.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER, Credentials and Craft Training. https://www.nccer.org/credentials-services/credentialing ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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.