Best Trade Schools in Vancouver, Washington (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Vancouver. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Washington licensing so you can train, test, and get hired. The Portland–Vancouver metro supports strong demand in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and welding1.

Top Trade Schools in Vancouver

Programs serve Vancouver and Southwest Washington. Verify current offerings and accreditation23.

School Program Length Highlights
Clark College (Vancouver) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. Welding, Automotive, Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing; hybrid and evening options2.
Mt. Hood Community College (Gresham, OR – regional) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. HVAC, Welding, and manufacturing programs; short commute from Vancouver2.
IBEW Local 48 – Electrical JATC (Portland/Vancouver) 3–5 years Registered apprenticeship for Inside Wireman/Residential. Paid OJT + classroom; strong placement.
UA Local 290 – Training Center (regional) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR. Paid training and certifications.

Licensing Requirements in Washington

  • Electrical: Electrical Trainee card → OJT hours (01/02) → L&I exam; contractors register with L&I and meet bond/insurance4.
  • Plumbing: Register as Plumbing Trainee → OJT hours (PL01/PL02) → L&I exam; contractor registration for business owners4.
  • HVAC/R: EPA 608 required for refrigerants5. Many roles need L&I electrical specialty for controls (e.g., 06A/06B). Contractors register with L&I4.
  • Welding: No general state license; employers/jurisdictions set performance test requirements.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid theory + on-campus labs.
  • Evening apprenticeship classes.
  • Short credentials (OSHA-10/30, EPA 608) to stack with longer programs.

Next Steps

  • Compare statewide options: /trade-school/washington/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National resources: /trade-school/

Tour labs, confirm accreditation, and ask how training maps to L&I licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro Metro. bls.gov/oes ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory. accsc.org ↩

  4. Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I). lni.wa.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. epa.gov/section608 ↩

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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.