Best Trade Schools in Pocatello, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Pocatello. This guide shows accredited programs, how Idaho licensing works, and which skilled trades are hiring. Use it to pick a program and plan your next step. Idaho employers continue to add jobs in the skilled trades, and pay is competitive for workers with credentials and experience¹.

Top Trade Schools in Pocatello

These accredited options serve Pocatello and nearby cities. Program lists are examples. Always confirm current offerings with the school².

School	Program Length	Highlights
Idaho State University (ISU) College of Technology – Pocatello	9–24 months for certificates; 2 years for AAS	HVAC/R, Welding, Electrical Apprenticeship, Diesel, Automotive, Machining, Practical Nursing. Modern labs and strong employer ties. Institutional accreditation through NWCCU².
ISU Continuing Education & Workforce Training (CEWT) – Pocatello	4–12 weeks for fast-track certificates; multi-year apprenticeships	CDL Class A, EMT, OSHA, EPA 608 prep, electrical/HVAC/plumbing apprenticeship classroom. Evening and weekend options. Part of ISU’s accredited system².
College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) – Idaho Falls	9–24 months; apprenticeships vary	Welding, Machining/CNC, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, CNA, LPN. Flexible schedules and adult learner support. NWCCU accredited².
Austin Kade Academy – Idaho Falls	5–12 months (varies by program)	Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering. State board preparation and salon-floor training. NACCAS-accredited institution².
Northwest Lineman College (NLC) – Meridian	About 15 weeks (Electrical Lineworker Program)	Electrical lineworker training with pole-climbing, transformers, rigging, and safety. Strong hiring pipelines with utilities. ACCSC accredited³.
College of Southern Idaho (CSI) – Twin Falls	1–2 years; apprenticeships vary	Welding, Diesel, HVAC, Plumbing Apprenticeship, Culinary, Healthcare tech. NWCCU accredited and widely recognized by Idaho employers².
College of Western Idaho (CWI) – Nampa	9–24 months; apprenticeships vary	Advanced manufacturing, Electrical and Plumbing/HVAC apprenticeship classroom, Welding, Automotive. NWCCU accredited².

Tip: If you plan to work in the Pocatello area, ISU’s College of Technology and CEWT are the closest and have the most direct pipelines to local employers.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

New construction, infrastructure, and industrial projects keep demand steady in Idaho. A state journeyman license is required for most jobs. BLS data shows solid employment and pay growth for electricians statewide¹. Learn training paths and salaries here: Electrician.

HVAC/R Technician

HVAC pros handle heating, cooling, and refrigeration in homes, hospitals, schools, and plants. EPA Section 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants. Idaho demand is strong and year-round due to service and retrofit work¹. Explore training and licensing: HVAC.

Welder

Welders support manufacturing, fabrication, and energy. Employers look for process proficiency (GMAW, GTAW, SMAW) and test-based certifications. Pay rises with code certifications and specialty materials. See career paths and certs: Welding.

Plumber

Plumbing systems, gas piping, and hydronics require licensed tradespeople. Idaho’s apprenticeship-to-journeyman path is clear and in demand across residential and commercial work¹. Compare training routes: Plumbing.

Many Idaho trades offer median pay from the mid-0,000s to the low-0,000s, with higher earnings for licensed journeymen, overtime, and remote or industrial projects¹.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Idaho licensing is administered by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Below are common pathways and steps. Always verify current rules before you enroll or test⁴.

Electrician

Register as an apprentice with DOPL and an approved training provider.
Complete 4 years/8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus classroom instruction.
Pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam.
Upgrade to Master after additional experience and exam⁴.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)

Register as an HVAC apprentice.
Complete required on-the-job experience and related instruction. Most candidates log about 4 years before testing.
Pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman exam.
Contractor licensing requires additional experience, business insurance, and a separate license.
EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants⁴⁵.

Plumbing

Register as a plumbing apprentice.
Complete 4 years/8,000 hours OJT and classroom hours with an approved provider.
Pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam.
Master and contractor levels require additional experience and testing⁴.

Cosmetology/Barbering

Graduate from an approved program and meet Idaho’s training-hour or competency requirements.
Pass the state practical and written exams for licensure through Barber and Cosmetology Services⁶.

Welding

Idaho does not issue a general welding license. Employers and job sites require process-specific certifications (for example, AWS code tests) and procedure qualifications. Additional credentials may be required for structural or pressure work.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Get your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), then pass the skills test and endorsements with the Idaho Transportation Department⁷.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid learning: Many trade programs in Idaho deliver theory online and hands-on labs on campus. This is common for HVAC, electrical apprenticeship classroom, and healthcare basics.
Short-term certificates: ISU CEWT offers accelerated options like CDL, OSHA, EPA 608 exam prep, and EMT that fit around work schedules.
Apprenticeships: Earn while you learn. Classroom may be one or two evenings per week during the school year. Related training often stacks into college credit at ISU or CEI.
Exam prep: Online prep for EPA 608, NCCER modules, and code-based tests can help you test sooner and increase your hiring chances⁵.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask each school about night sections, weekend labs, and hybrid delivery. Seats can fill fast in high-demand labs.

Next Steps

Compare more schools and programs in our state hub: Idaho Trade Schools.
Explore all trades, salaries, and certifications: Skilled Trades Hub.
Get planning help, funding ideas, and career tips: Guides.
Browse national options and how to choose a program: Trade School Directory.

Talk to admissions, tour the labs, and confirm program start dates. Ask about employer partners and job placement. Then apply early for the next cohort and get on the list for apprenticeships.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook data for Idaho: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_id.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institutional accreditation and program listings): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions: https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools/ ↩
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Boards and Licensing: https://dopl.idaho.gov/boards/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification: https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩
Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services (DOPL): https://dopl.idaho.gov/boards/ibcos/ ↩
Idaho Transportation Department, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/cdl/ ↩

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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.