Top 25 Trade Schools In Los Angeles (2026)

Los Angeles offers a robust and expanding landscape for trade education, driven by a renewed interest in hands-on career training and a growing demand for skilled professionals in essential industries.

From high school earn-and-learn programs to comprehensive community college certificates, the region provides diverse pathways to well-paying jobs in fields like automotive technology, culinary arts, welding, construction, and healthcare. With major infrastructure projects, rebuilding efforts, and a focus on AI-resilient careers, trade schools in LA are preparing students for immediate workforce entry with practical, industry-aligned training.

Top 25 Trade Schools In Los Angeles

1. Los Angeles Trade-Technical College – Automotive Technology

LATTC offers the largest community college auto repair program in the region, with more than 1,000 students enrolled. The program has grown 34% from 2022 to 2024, and continues to be increasingly popular. It offers certificates and associate of science degrees in automotive and collision repair . Students gain hands-on experience working on privately owned vehicles, preparing them for dealerships like BMW, Volkswagen, and Toyota . Tuition is $46 per unit, making an associate degree cost approximately $2,000 to $3,500 .

2. LATTC – Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology

This specialized certificate program at LATTC reflects the industry’s shift toward electrification. Students train on a collection of hybrid and EV vehicles, ensuring they are prepared for modern repair challenges . The program has adapted to the evolution of automotive technology, including the rise of electric vehicles and complex electronic systems . Graduates gain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing field.

3. LATTC – Collision Repair

LATTC offers an associate of science degree in collision repair as part of its Advanced Transportation and Manufacturing pathway. Students learn hands-on skills in restoring damaged vehicles. The program provides affordable, practical training for careers in auto body shops and dealership service centers. Tuition is $46 per unit, with the full associate degree costing approximately $2,000 to $3,500.

4. LATTC – Culinary Arts

LATTC’s culinary program has grown 13% in a recent year and is up nearly 30% since 2019, despite a challenging restaurant industry. The program operates from a modern $50-million Culinary Arts Building, featuring 12 mini-kitchens and high-end equipment. Students can earn certificates in culinary arts, baking, and plant-based cuisine, which the school began offering recently. Tuition ranges from $3,500 to $5,000.

5. LATTC – Plant-Based Cuisine

LATTC will begin awarding a certificate in plant-based cuisine starting in a recent year, reflecting the growing demand for plant-forward culinary skills . The program builds on the school’s culinary arts curriculum, preparing students for careers in the expanding plant-based food sector. It offers an affordable pathway with tuition around $3,500 to $5,000 for the full program.

6. East Los Angeles Occupational Center

ELAOC has been providing high-quality, low-cost technical education since 1969. Students can earn a high school diploma or HiSET while receiving career training in several industry sectors, including healthcare and construction. The center also offers classes to upgrade skills for existing jobs or prepare for new careers.

7. East Los Angeles Skills Center

This campus of ELAOC provides career training in various technical fields at 3921 Selig Place. Students can upgrade skills for existing jobs or prepare for new careers through practical, hands-on instruction. The center is part of the LAUSD’s Division of Adult and Career Education network, offering accessible training to the East LA community.

8. LAUSD Career Technical Education

LAUSD offers a range of career technical education programs across 23 high schools and 6 middle schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Programs include firefighting, robotics, photojournalism, and aerospace engineering, providing real-world experience through industry partnerships. About 1,000 students completed internships in a recent year, with CTE programs achieving a 97% graduation rate.

9. Banning High School Fire Academy

This program is part of LAUSD’s career technical education offerings, training students in firefighting skills. Students learn CPR, fire science, and physical conditioning, preparing for careers in fire services. Senior students are on track to earn a fire science degree at a technical college, combining hands-on training with academic preparation.

10. Fremont High School Robotics Program

Part of LAUSD’s CTE offerings, this program allows students to build robots and compete with other high schools. Students develop technical and team-building skills through designing, building, and programming robots for competitions. The program leads students to career paths in engineering and robotics.

11. La Mirada High School Welding Program

Funded by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, this welding program has become a hot commodity, with a waiting list of 100 students . A recent graduate reported earning $150,000 in income, while another built a business with $3 million in annual sales. Students are paid for their hands-on training, with some earning $1,700 for summer instruction .

12. Pasadena City College – Construction Readiness
PCC has partnered with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools to offer a Construction Readiness pathway, expanding to serve 110 students . Students build the skills and experience needed to help rebuild their community after destructive fires . The program provides hands-on instruction in construction trades with career readiness support.

13. Harbor Freight Tools for Schools – Skilled Trades Summers
This program has grown to serve over 800 students across 11 sites, more than double the enrollment in 2024 . Students receive paychecks and intensive hands-on instruction in solar panel installation, welding, automotive, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical trades . The program has served over 2,000 young Angelenos to date .

14. Santa Monica College – Automotive Technology
SMC offers an automotive technology program as part of the local community college network . The program provides students with practical skills for careers in the automotive service industry. SMC is one of the identified community colleges offering auto technician training in the region .

15. El Camino College – Automotive Technology
El Camino College offers automotive technology training as part of its technical education programs . The college provides hands-on training opportunities for students seeking careers in the automotive service industry. El Camino serves the South Bay area with accessible community college technical education .

16. Cerritos College – Industrial and Technical Engineering
Cerritos College offers 7 Industrial and Technical Engineering degree programs, with 29 students graduating in a recent year [citation:available from previous article]. The college awarded 16 Certificates and 13 Associate’s degrees in this field. As a large public two-year college, Cerritos provides accessible technical education in Norwalk.

17. Mt San Antonio College – Industrial and Technical Engineering
Mt. SAC offers 9 Industrial and Technical Engineering degree programs, with 94 students graduating in a recent year [citation:previous]. The college awarded 82 Certificates and 12 Associate’s degrees in this field. Mt. SAC also offers Engineering Technology programs with 50 graduates, making it a strong option for technical education in the Walnut area.

18. Pasadena City College – Industrial and Technical Engineering
Pasadena City College offers 4 Industrial and Technical Engineering degree programs, with 333 students graduating in a recent year [citation:previous]. The college awarded 320 Associate’s degrees and 13 Certificates, reflecting its strong emphasis on associate-level technical education. PCC is a very large public two-year college serving the Pasadena area.

19. Associated Technical College – Cardiovascular Technologist
This private institution in Los Angeles County has 315 students enrolled, offering specialized healthcare technical programs [citation:previous]. In a recent year, the college awarded 156 degrees, with the most popular concentration being Cardiovascular Technologist. The average net price after financial aid is $23,629.

20. Citrus College – Welding
Citrus College was one of the options considered by former LATTC student Christopher Hernandez before he settled on Trade-Tech . The college offers welding and other trade programs. It is located in the San Gabriel Valley.

21. DeVry University – California – Electrical Engineering Technology
DeVry University offers 3 Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology degree programs, with 27 students graduating in a recent year [citation:previous]. As a private for-profit institution, DeVry provides specialized technical training including Associate’s degrees, Certificates, and Bachelor’s degrees. The campus is located in Ontario within the broader Los Angeles metropolitan area.

22. BRIDGE Housing – Year-Round Trades Program
BRIDGE Housing will expand to a year-round program to serve 120 teen residents from the Jordan Downs and Evermont low-income housing communities . The program offers hands-on trades training with a focus on construction and related skills. It provides paid, practical experience for young Angelenos.

23. Otis College of Art and Design – Creative Economy Partnership
A new partnership between Harbor Freight Tools for Schools and Otis College allows students to learn how skilled trades connect to today’s creative economy . The program serves 24 students, combining artistic skills with trade expertise. This innovative approach broadens the scope of traditional trade education.

24. LAUSD Fire Science Program
The LAUSD fire science program trains students in firefighting and emergency response skills . Students learn CPR, fire science, and physical conditioning. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in fire services and emergency response .

25. Los Angeles Unified School District ROCP
The Regional Occupational Center Program offers vocational training through LAUSD . The program is located at 333 South Beaudry Ave and serves students across the district. It provides career technical education for high school students seeking workforce entry .

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Application

Start by identifying your career goals and choose a program that aligns with your aspirations, whether you are seeking immediate workforce entry or planning to pursue advanced certifications. For automotive training, LATTC offers the largest program with strong industry connections to BMW, Volkswagen, and Toyota dealerships . Consider the cost differences between public and private institutions; public community colleges like LATTC offer tuition at $46 per unit, while private institutions like Associated Technical College may have higher costs . Evaluate program length and format, as most community college programs offer flexible scheduling including evening classes. Visit campuses and tour facilities to get a firsthand look at equipment and training environments. Inquire about certification preparation and job placement rates, as trade schools often have strong industry partnerships. For high school students, explore LAUSD’s CTE programs or Harbor Freight Tools for Schools earn-and-learn opportunities .

Closing

Los Angeles offers a rich and expanding selection of trade schools, from the comprehensive programs at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to high school earn-and-learn programs like Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. The renewed interest in skilled trades has led to significant program growth, with LATTC’s automotive program expanding 34% and its culinary program growing 13% in recent years . Whether you aspire to become an automotive technician, a chef, a welder, or a construction professional, there are exceptional options available in Los Angeles. When choosing a program, prioritize proper accreditation, review program outcomes, and consider the flexibility of class schedules. By thoroughly researching each option, prospective students can find a trade school in Los Angeles that fits their needs and sets them on a rewarding career path in these essential and growing fields. Note that all information, including tuition and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school.