Best Trade Schools in Garden City, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Garden City. This page lists accredited options close to Garden City, with program lengths, specialties, and Idaho licensing steps. It’s built for career changers and new grads looking for fast, job-ready training. Skilled trades like electrical, HVAC, welding, and plumbing remain in steady demand and offer solid wages and advancement1.

Top Trade Schools in Garden City

These campuses sit in Garden City or the Boise–Meridian area a short drive away. Accreditation is verified through U.S. Department of Education listings2 and programmatic accreditors where noted.

School Program Length Highlights
College of Western Idaho (CWI) – Boise/Nampa Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years; Apprenticeships: ~4 years Public community college; modern labs for welding, machining, diesel, automotive, HVAC; electrical and plumbing apprenticeship classroom training; flexible schedules; Accredited: NWCCU2
Northwest Lineman College (NLC) – Meridian 15 weeks (Electrical Lineworker Program) Outdoor training yards, pole climbing, transformer labs, safety and grid fundamentals; CDL support; strong employer network nationwide; Accredited: ACCSC3
Carrington College – Boise Certificates: ~9–12 months; Associate: up to 2 years Hands-on allied health training (medical assisting, dental assisting, pharmacy tech, and more); skills labs and exam prep; career services; Accredited: ACCJC (institutional)2
Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology – Boise Cosmetology: 1,600 hours; Esthetics: ~600 hours Busy clinic floor, industry guest artists, state board preparation; Accredited: NACCAS (institutional)2
Paul Mitchell The School – Boise Cosmetology: ~1,500–1,600 hours; Esthetics: ~600 hours Studio salon environment, business/guest services training, strong brand network; Accredited: NACCAS2
Aveda Institute – Boise Cosmetology: ~1,600 hours; Esthiology: ~600 hours Aveda curriculum, salon/spa retail training, state board coaching; Accredited: NACCAS2
Idaho State University – Meridian Health Science Center Certificates and Associate: ~1–2 years (plus advanced programs) University-based health and technical programs with clinical labs and local clinical affiliations; Accredited: NWCCU2

Notes:

  • Program availability varies by term. Confirm current offerings and exact hour requirements with each school.
  • Short-term credentials can stack into higher-level certificates or degrees at some schools.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial sites. The BLS projects steady national growth and strong replacement needs as experienced electricians retire1.
  • Many new electricians start with a 4-year registered apprenticeship that blends paid work and classroom hours. After licensing, you can advance to foreman, estimator, or electrical contractor.

HVAC

  • HVAC technicians service heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Technicians trained in heat pumps, smart thermostats, and low-GWP refrigerants are in demand as buildings update systems1.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants4. Idaho also licenses HVAC journeymen and contractors.

Welding

  • Welders work in fabrication, construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Employers value students who graduate with OSHA-10 safety and common AWS process certifications (e.g., SMAW, GMAW)1.
  • Welding does not require a state license in Idaho, but your test plates and employer-required codes matter.

Plumbing

  • Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and waste systems. Aging infrastructure and new construction keep demand steady1.
  • Like electricians, plumbers typically complete a 4-year apprenticeship and then test for journeyman licensing in Idaho.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Idaho licensing is administered through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) with technical code oversight through the state boards. Always check current rules before you enroll or test5.

Electricians (Idaho)

  • Apprentice: Register with DOPL. Complete 4 years (8,000 hours) of supervised on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction (commonly 576 hours over 4 years) through an approved provider5.
  • Journeyman: Pass the Idaho journeyman exam; document hours and schooling5.
  • Master/Contractor: Additional experience and an exam are required for master; contractors must employ a master and meet bonding/insurance requirements5.

Plumbers (Idaho)

  • Apprentice: Register and complete 4 years (8,000 hours) OJT plus related instruction through an approved program5.
  • Journeyman: Pass the Idaho journeyman plumber exam; provide proof of hours/classroom5.
  • Master/Contractor: Additional experience and exam for master; contractor license requires qualifying master and compliance with state requirements5.

HVAC (Idaho)

  • Apprentice: Register with DOPL. Complete a multi-year apprenticeship with documented OJT and related instruction5.
  • Journeyman: Pass the Idaho HVAC journeyman exam; show qualifying experience5.
  • Contractor: Requires qualifying master/Journeyman, business credentials, and insurance as set by the HVAC Board5.
  • EPA 608: Required for anyone servicing systems with regulated refrigerants4.

Welders (Idaho)

  • No state license. Employers and projects may require AWS or ASME code certifications and weld tests. Training programs help you prepare for common certs.

Contractors

  • Idaho requires contractor registration at the state level for most construction businesses. Public works projects require a Public Works Contractor license. Check DOPL for details5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended learning: Many Boise-area programs mix online theory with in-person labs. Expect hands-on shop time for welding, HVAC, automotive, and linework.
  • Evening and accelerated tracks: CWI offers evening labs for apprenticeships and some certificate courses. Accelerated cohorts are common in allied health and cosmetology.
  • Test prep: Schools often include code, safety, and certification prep (e.g., NEC for electrical, EPA 608 for HVAC, OSHA-10). Ask how many attempts or vouchers are included.
  • Credit and stackability: Community college certificates may stack into an AAS. Apprenticeship classroom hours at CWI typically align with Idaho journeyman exam requirements.

How to Choose a Program

  • Verify accreditation and state approval. Use College Navigator to confirm institutional accreditation and program listings2.
  • Match training to Idaho licensing. If your goal is journeyman status, choose programs tied to registered apprenticeships and exam prep5.
  • Tour the labs. Look for current equipment: inverter welders, heat pump trainers, modern scan tools, and safe energized training stations.
  • Ask about placement. Employers often recruit directly from NLC for linework and from CWI for welding, machining, and diesel. Request recent placement and apprenticeship sponsorship data.
  • Consider schedule and support. Evening labs, tutoring, and career services can make the difference while you work.

Next Steps

Plan your campus visits, ask about start dates and waitlists, and make sure your program aligns with Idaho licensing. You can launch a stable, well-paid career from Garden City with the right training and a clear plan.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians; HVAC/R Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters; Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation and program data for listed institutions. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). School directory (e.g., Northwest Lineman College). https://www.accsc.org/ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (Refrigerants). https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  5. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC Boards). Licensing rules, applications, and exams. https://dopl.idaho.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.