Best Trade Schools in Portland, Oregon (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Portland. This guide compares accredited options, key programs, program length, and how licensing works in Oregon. It’s built for career changers and new grads. Portland employers continue to hire in construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and welding1.

Top Trade Schools in Portland

Below are accredited and state-registered options in the Portland metro. Program length is typical; your timeline may vary by schedule and prerequisites2.

School Program Length Highlights
Portland Community College (PCC) 9–24 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Large public college with Welding Technology, Machine Manufacturing, Building Inspection, and apprenticeship pathways. Modern labs and multiple campuses2.
Clackamas Community College (Oregon City) 1-year certificates; 2 years (AAS) Electrical Apprenticeship Technologies (with Area I JATC), Welding, Automotive Service, Water & Environmental Tech. Strong employer ties2.
Mt. Hood Community College (Gresham) 1-year certificates; 2 years (AAS) Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance, Automotive, Machine Tool, Welding, CAD. Flexible day/evening options in many programs2.
Concorde Career College – Portland 8–20 months Focused health trades: Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Therapy. Institutionally accredited by ACCSC3.
Northwest College of Construction (Portland) 2–4 years (apprenticeships); short-term craft training Carpentry, Heavy Equipment Operator, Concrete, Laborer. NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor; strong apprenticeship placement4.
NECA‑IBEW Electrical Training Center (Area I JATC, Portland) 4–5 years (registered apprenticeship) Inside Electrician and Limited Energy Technician programs. Paid on‑the‑job training plus classroom. State‑registered apprenticeship5.
UA Local 290 Apprenticeship & Training Center (Tualatin) ~5 years (registered apprenticeship) Plumbing, Steamfitting, HVAC/R service. Extensive lab training. State‑registered apprenticeship with excellent regional placement5.

Tip: Apprenticeships combine paid work with classes. They are the most direct route to an Oregon journeyman card in electrician and plumbing trades567.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Electricians power Portland’s growth in housing, data centers, and advanced manufacturing. Apprentices earn while they learn and step into journeyman roles with strong wages1. Explore the trade and career paths here: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician HVAC techs serve residential retrofits, new builds, and commercial energy upgrades. EPA 608 is required to handle refrigerants. Many jobs prefer apprenticeship or strong community college fundamentals18. Learn more: HVAC.

  • Welder Welding supports construction, fabrication, marine, and manufacturing in the metro. Certifications (such as AWS structural or pipe) help you move up fast1. Get started: Welding.

  • Plumber Licensed plumbers are needed for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Apprenticeships lead to the Journeyman Plumber license in Oregon17. See the path: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Oregon

Here is a quick overview. Always confirm details with the state before you enroll or test.

  • Electricians (Oregon Building Codes Division)

    • Apply to a registered apprenticeship through BOLI ATD (Area I Inside, Limited Energy, etc.)5.
    • Complete required on‑the‑job hours and classroom training.
    • Pass the state exam for your license class (e.g., General Journeyman Electrician).
    • Maintain continuing education for renewal6.

  • Plumbers (Oregon Building Codes Division)

    • Enter a registered plumbing apprenticeship (UA Local 290 or approved program)5.
    • Complete required OJT hours and classroom training.
    • Pass the Oregon journeyman exam.
    • Keep up with continuing education7.

  • HVAC/R Technicians

    • No standalone statewide “HVAC tech” license.
    • Federal EPA Section 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants8.
    • If you run a business or bid work, you need an Oregon CCB contractor license (pre‑license course, exam, bond/insurance)9.
    • Electrical connections may require the appropriate Oregon electrical license/permit under BCD rules6.

  • Welders

    • No general state welder license. Employers often require AWS or similar certifications.
    • Pressure vessel/boiler work is regulated by the Boiler and Pressure Vessel program under BCD; additional approvals may apply10.

  • Contractors (business owners)

    • Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license is required to contract for jobs. Complete the pre‑license course, pass the exam, and meet bond/insurance requirements9.

  • Apprenticeships (all trades)

    • Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries Apprenticeship and Training Division registers programs, sets standards, and tracks progress5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges in the Portland metro (PCC, Clackamas, MHCC) offer hybrid formats for some trade courses. Safety, codes, math, and theory often run online. Labs and competency checks are in person2.
  • Concorde Career College uses blended delivery for selected health trade courses. Expect in‑person labs and clinicals for hands‑on skills3.
  • Apprenticeships combine evening or block classroom sessions with full‑time paid work. This is a good fit if you need to earn while training5.
  • Short, stackable certificates can help you upskill fast. Examples include welding process modules, industrial safety, blueprint reading, machining basics, and low‑voltage fundamentals. You can add these to an AAS later at many colleges2.

How to choose:

  • Confirm the school’s accreditation or the apprenticeship’s state registration.
  • Match the program to the Oregon license you want (electrician, plumber, contractor).
  • Ask about class times, lab access, employer partners, and exam pass rates.
  • If you plan to run a business, factor in the CCB license path.

Next Steps

Portland has strong options for hands‑on careers. Pick a program that matches your license goals, fits your schedule, and connects you with employers. Then apply, show up, and build your new trade career.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (construction and installation trades). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institutional profiles for community and career colleges). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. NCCER, Accredited Training Sponsors and Centers. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩

  5. Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries, Apprenticeship and Training Division (registered apprenticeships). https://www.oregon.gov/boli/apprenticeship ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Oregon Building Codes Division, Electrical Licensing and Programs. https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Pages/index.aspx ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Oregon Building Codes Division, Plumbing Board and Licensing. https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Pages/index.aspx ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  9. Oregon Construction Contractors Board (licensing). https://www.oregon.gov/ccb ↩ ↩

  10. Oregon Building Codes Division, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Program. https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Pages/index.aspx ↩

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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.