Trade School Education
(Potential Options)
Oregon offers diverse vocational training opportunities across healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and business sectors.
From quick-entry certificate programs to comprehensive apprenticeships, students can find affordable pathways to high-demand careers throughout the state.
100% Acceptance Rates
Multiple institutions maintain open-door admissions policies.
This accessibility ensures education opportunities for all qualified applicants.
Examples Include
Portland Community College: Offers extensive, accredited technical programs in areas like HVAC/R, welding, and auto collision repair across four campuses, often partnering with local unions for apprenticeship training. PCC offers comprehensive, large public college offering 32+ trades programs, including aviation maintenance, CNC machining, and electrician apprenticeships.
Northwest College of Construction: Provides industry-supported, free apprenticeships in multiple construction trades, covering tuition and books, including a specialized HVAC technician program.
Concorde Career College – Portland: Healthcare-focused school offering accelerated programs in dental assisting, phlebotomy, and medical office management.
Sheet Metal Institute: Provides a comprehensive five-year apprenticeship program in sheet metal work, with tuition-free options.
Chemeketa Community College: Extensive technical offerings in the Salem area, featuring programs in automotive technology, electronics, and industrial technology.
Rogue Community College Offers career-focused, high-demand training for southern Oregon, with over 75 technical programs and specialized workforce certifications.
Notable Options
Central Oregon Community College (Automotive), and private institutions like Concorde Career College (Healthcare).
Linn-Benton Community College (welding, culinary)
Lane Community College (27+ trade programs), and Clackamas Community College (renewable energy, machining).
Vocations
Construction/Technical: Northwest College of Construction (Portland)
Manufacturing/Industrial: Sheet Metal Institute (Portland/Springfield)
Health & Allied Trades: Concorde Career College (Portland)
Cosmetology: Aveda Institute (Portland) or Beau Monde College (Portland)
Key Focus Areas
Oregon’s private career schools and community colleges often emphasize apprenticeships, providing students with on-the-job experience.
Costs
Tuition varies widely, with public community colleges generally providing more affordable pathways compared to private, for-profit career schools.
Search Oregon Trade School Programs
To help narrow down the best school for you, what specific trade are you interested in (e.g., 🛠️ welding, ⚡ electrical, 🚗 auto, 💆♀️ beauty)?
~ Oregon Farrier School began in 2006 with the mission of producing quality farriers who will not only thrive in the trade but also be a blessing to the horse profession. Whether you want to be an everyday service provider farrier, a show horse farrier, or a competitive farrier/blacksmith, our programs are a great place to begin.We teach and follow the standards and concepts held by the American Farrier’s Association. Students are trained and encouraged to go on and complete the lower and upper-level certifications that the AFA offers. At Oregon Farrier School we strive for each horse to function at their maximum potential in performance, soundness, and everyday life. We believe that in doing so horse owners will enjoy long, useful lives from their equine animals.
~ The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Applied Technology is a two-year degree designed for swift entry into the workforce, often focusing on practical, hands-on skills in technical fields. It typically requires ~60 credits—combining technical credits (often via prior diplomas or apprenticeships) with general education—and prepares students for roles like construction supervisors, technicians, or specialists.
Key Aspects of the AAS in Applied Technology
• Focus: Prepares students for immediate employment in career-technical fields.
• Structure: Often a combination of 42-45 technical credit hours (from specialized training) and ~15-18 general education credits (communications, humanities, social science).
• Flexibility: Many programs allow students to transfer in prior technical, trade, or apprenticeship credits (e.g., carpentry, HVAC, agriculture, IT).
• Duration: Can typically be completed in four semesters (two years) of full-time study.
Targeted Career Paths
Graduates can seek specialized technical or supervisory roles, including:
• Construction Foreman or Site Superintendent
• Electrical Supervisor/Apprentice
• Information Technology (IT) Technician or Support Specialist
• Industrial Maintenance/Manufacturing Technician
• Automotive or Diesel Technology Technician
Typical Curriculum Focus
While varying by school, the curriculum frequently emphasizes:
• Technical Coursework (42+ Credits): Specialized skills training directly applicable to a chosen field.
• General Education (15-18 Credits): Fundamentals such as College Algebra, English Composition, and Introduction to Communication.
Common Providers
The degree is commonly offered at community colleges and technical schools, such as:
• Rogue Community College (AAS in Applied Technology)
• Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (CTC)
• Trinidad State College
• Riverland Community College
Note: The AAS is generally considered a terminal degree intended for employment rather than transfer to a four-year university, though some transfer agreements may exist.
Build a Hands-On Career
Welders help hold together automobiles and airplanes, buildings and bridges, pipelines and powerplants.
With the right welding skills, you could find work across a wide variety of industries. Do you want a hands-on career that you can take almost anywhere?
The Charter College Certificate in Welding program teaches the skills you need to cut and weld using current tools and technologies.
The Charter College teach you about:
• Basic Welding Processes
• Welding and Equipment Safety
Cutting Procedures
– Oxy Fuel Cutting Processes
– Plasma Cutting Processes
– Carbon Arc Cutting Processes
• Trades Related Math
• Basics of Fabrication Drawings
• Welding Symbols
• Welding/Fabrication Fundamentals
SMAW – Shielded Metal Arc Welding
GMAW – Gas Metal Arc Welding
FCAW – Flux Cored Arc Welding
GTAW – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
SAW – Submerged Arc Welding
• Intro to Welding Codes, Standards and Specifications
Check out the Charter College Certificate in Welding Program today.
Several institutions offer robust training in industrial trades, transportation, and aviation maintenance with strong apprenticeship connections, offering both certificates and associate degrees (AAS).
Key examples include:
Lane Community College (LCC): Features extensive programs in Aviation Maintenance Technician, Diesel Technology, Welding, and Industrial Trades, with strong apprenticeship connections (2-4 years) offering AAS degrees and certificates.
Portland Community College (PCC): Offers comprehensive apprenticeship opportunities in industrial trades and transportation, including Aviation Maintenance (A&P), HVAC, and Diesel service, working closely with industry partners for registered apprenticeship programs.
LIFT Academy / Republic Airways: Provides a specialized, paid Aviation Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, resulting in a direct pathway to employment as an aviation maintenance technician.
Rogue Community College (RCC): Offers an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic program that combines over 4,800 hours of on-the-job training with classroom instruction, leading to a certificate, journeyman card, and options for an associate degree.
Bates Technical College: Focuses on hands-on training for transportation and trades, including auto repair, heavy equipment, and aviation, with 6 Washington state-approved apprenticeship training partners.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM): Offers FAA-approved aviation maintenance training with 15 campuses nationwide, focusing on hands-on skills for technicians, including aircraft repair and avionics.
Key Features of These Programs
• Apprenticeship & Paid Training: Many programs allow students to “earn while they learn” through partnerships with local businesses or Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs).
• Certifications & Degrees: Programs prepare students for FAA certifications (Airframe & Powerplant) and state-issued journeyman cards, in addition to academic credentials.
• Hands-on Focus: Training includes working on active aircraft (Diamond, Embraer), in industrial labs, and with modern technology.
• Industry Demand: Programs are designed to fill high-need roles in construction, manufacturing, and aviation as experienced workers retire.
Apprenticeship Trades In Oregon
Want to apply to an apprenticeship program? Are you looking for more information about programs accepting applications in Oregon?Select a trade to read the trade summary, contact information for the program and opening notices for applications.
Our Trade School Scholarship Program
Oregon.gov For More Information
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