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An elevator constructor working on a car inside a new commercial building, with steel stud framing, ductwork and a scissor lift — California construction trades, apprenticeship and training directory

Unions, schools and associations

California Trades, Associations & Training Directory

844-97-USAVE

Where California tradespeople train, and where their companies connect. Union apprenticeships, merit-shop programs, community colleges, trade schools, public workforce programs and contractor associations, sorted by trade so you can go from apprentice to journeyman to continuing education without hunting.

  • Unions & Apprenticeships
  • Colleges & Trade Schools
  • Associations by Region

Reviewed by David Gleason, Principal — October 11, 2026

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CaliforniaGeneral information only, not legal advice — illustrative scenarios and coverage, subject to change without notice. Content may be out of date or contain errors, and requirements vary by city, county, state, agency, project, contract, carrier and policy, among other factors; verifying what applies to your own situation is your responsibility. Full disclaimer
115Union and merit-shop apprenticeships
87Colleges and universities
14Trade schools and career programs
76Contractor and trade associations
39Public agencies, councils and pathways

Filter by region

Every link on this page was opened on the organization's own website on Oct 10, 2026. Program dates and requirements change, so confirm details with each organization.

Showing all 331 listings.

Statewide agencies and building trades councils

Agencies and councils that serve every trade: licensing, apprenticeship standards, workforce funding and the regional building trades councils.

Building trades councils4

Public agencies8

Show all 8 public agencies

Back to the trade index

Carpentry, framing and millwright

Carpenter apprenticeships, millwright and pile driver training, and the associations that represent framing and woodwork contractors.

Framing and drywall contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training7

Show all 7 union apprenticeship and training

Contractor and trade associations2

Community colleges18

Show all 18 community colleges

Back to the trade index

Concrete, cement and ready-mix

Cement mason apprenticeships plus the materials and concrete associations behind flatwork, structural pours and ready-mix supply.

Concrete and paving contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training4

Contractor and trade associations5

Community colleges2

Back to the trade index

Electrical, low voltage and solar

Inside wireman, sound and communication and solar training, through both union JATCs and merit-shop programs.

Electrical and solar contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training21

Union apprenticeship

IBEW Local 6

Also listed as San Francisco Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee

San Francisco · Bay Area

Serves San Francisco

San Francisco electricians' union for inside wireman and sound work; apprenticeship through the SFJATC.

Visit site for IBEW Local 6 (opens in a new tab)
Show all 21 union apprenticeship and training

Merit-shop apprenticeship4

Contractor and trade associations7

Show all 7 contractor and trade associations

Community colleges41

Show all 41 community colleges

Private trade schools6

Back to the trade index

Utility and line construction

Outside line, substation and utility construction training for crews building and maintaining California power and communications networks.

Utility contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training3

Community colleges2

Private trade schools1

Back to the trade index

HVAC, refrigeration and sheet metal

Sheet metal and HVAC service apprenticeships, refrigeration training and the contractor associations for mechanical work.

HVAC and refrigeration contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training6

Merit-shop apprenticeship1

Contractor and trade associations4

Community colleges27

Show all 27 community colleges

Private trade schools5

Back to the trade index

Plumbing, pipefitting and steamfitting

United Association locals and their training centers for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, plus mechanical contractor groups.

Plumbing contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training19

Show all 19 union apprenticeship and training

Building trades councils1

Contractor and trade associations5

Community colleges12

Show all 12 community colleges

Private trade schools1

Back to the trade index

Fire sprinkler and life safety

Sprinkler fitter apprenticeships and the fire protection groups California installers rely on.

Fire sprinkler contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training2

Back to the trade index

Roofing and waterproofing

Roofer and waterproofer apprenticeships and the roofing contractor associations working in California.

Roofing contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training6

Contractor and trade associations2

Community colleges1

Back to the trade index

Heavy equipment, excavation and grading

Operating engineer apprenticeships and the engineering and underground contractor associations.

Excavation and grading contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training2

Union apprenticeship

OE3 JATC

Operating Engineers Local 3 Journeyman & Apprentice Training Center

Also listed as International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3

Sloughhouse · Sacramento region

Operating engineer apprenticeship (heavy equipment, crane, CDL, repair) for California north of Kern County

Visit site for OE3 JATC (opens in a new tab)Call (916) 354-2029

Contractor and trade associations1

Community colleges2

Back to the trade index

Ironwork, structural steel and welding

Ironworker apprenticeships, welding programs and the welding society sections across the state.

Welding contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training8

Show all 8 union apprenticeship and training

Contractor and trade associations3

Community colleges46

Show all 46 community colleges

Private trade schools2

Adult schools2

Back to the trade index

Laborers, demolition and site work

Laborer apprenticeships and training schools, plus demolition industry groups.

Demolition contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training15

Show all 15 union apprenticeship and training

Contractor and trade associations1

Back to the trade index

Masonry, tile and terrazzo

Bricklayer, tile setter and finisher apprenticeships and the masonry contractor associations.

Union apprenticeship and training4

Contractor and trade associations1

Community colleges1

Back to the trade index

Painting, drywall, glazing and flooring

Painter, drywall finisher, glazier and floor coverer training through the finishing trades institutes and contractor groups.

Framing and drywall contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training4

Contractor and trade associations3

Community colleges2

Back to the trade index

Insulation and boilermaking

Heat and frost insulator and boilermaker apprenticeships for industrial and mechanical work.

Industrial contractor insurance

Union apprenticeship and training3

Back to the trade index

Elevators and escalators

Elevator constructor apprenticeships and the industry education program behind them.

Union apprenticeship and training3

Back to the trade index

Landscape, irrigation and tree work

Landscape contractor and arborist associations, irrigation training and public conservation corps programs.

Tree service contractor insurance

Public agencies1

Contractor and trade associations2

Universities1

Back to the trade index

Surveying, engineering and inspection

Licensing boards and professional associations for surveyors, engineers, building officials and inspectors.

Civil engineering firm insurance

Public agencies2

Contractor and trade associations10

Show all 10 contractor and trade associations

Community colleges22

Show all 22 community colleges

Back to the trade index

Construction trucking and hauling

Construction and ready-mix hauling locals, driver training and the trucking associations.

Dirt, sand and gravel hauling insurance

Union apprenticeship and training3

Building trades councils2

Contractor and trade associations4

Back to the trade index

General construction and construction management

Contractor associations, construction management degrees and multi-trade programs for builders and the people who run the job.

General contractor insurance

Merit-shop apprenticeship4

Contractor and trade associations26

Show all 26 contractor and trade associations

Universities9

Show all 9 universities

Community colleges33

Show all 33 community colleges

Private trade schools1

Adult schools1

Back to the trade index

Safety and compliance training

Cal/OSHA consultation, OSHA-authorized training centers and university safety programs.

Workers compensation for contractors

Public agencies1

Universities3

Community colleges1

Back to the trade index

Workforce boards, pre-apprenticeship and adult career programs

Regional workforce boards, pre-apprenticeship programs and adult career education that open the door to the trades.

Pre-apprenticeship programs11

Show all 11 pre-apprenticeship programs

Public agencies9

Show all 9 public agencies

Regional occupational programs5

Adult schools2

Back to the trade index

© 2026 Gleason Insurance Brokers. This directory was researched, verified and organized by Gleason Insurance Brokers. Reproducing or republishing it, in whole or in part, without written permission is not permitted. Organization names and programs belong to their respective owners.

How this directory is organized

Each trade has its own section, and inside it every listing is grouped by what kind of organization it is: union apprenticeship programs first, then merit-shop programs, public agencies, contractor associations, and the colleges and schools that teach the trade. A college that teaches four trades appears under all four, as a one-line entry that links to its program page.

The region filter narrows every section to the organizations in or serving one part of the state. Statewide organizations stay visible under every region, because they serve all of them. Every link was opened on the organization's own website before it was listed, and each card shows the date it was checked.

Jump straight to a trade from the index at the top of the page
Filter by region to see the programs near your jobsites
Search the page by organization, county, city or trade
Program details change, so confirm dates and requirements with each organization

From apprentice to journeyman, and after

Most construction careers in California start in one of three places: a state-registered apprenticeship, a community college or trade school program, or a pre-apprenticeship course that prepares someone to apply for one. Registered apprenticeships combine paid work under a journeyman with classroom instruction, and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards keeps the official list of approved programs.

Training does not end at journeyman status. Union training centers, merit-shop associations and college extension programs all run upgrade and continuing education courses, from code updates and new equipment to supervision and estimating. Contractor associations are often where a growing company finds that training for its own crews.

Pre-apprenticeship programs help applicants meet entry requirements
Registered apprenticeships pair paid jobsite hours with classroom instruction
Journeyman upgrade and continuing education courses run year-round at many centers
Application windows for some programs open only every year or two

Why training records come up in an insurance review

When an underwriter reviews a contractor, questions about crew experience, safety training and supervision are common, because they speak to how work gets done on the jobsite. A company that can show its people came through a recognized apprenticeship, or that its crews keep current safety certifications, often has an easier time answering those questions.

Training is one part of the picture, not a guarantee of any particular outcome. Carriers weigh loss history, operations, contracts and payroll as well, and each one reads the same file in its own way. If you are building a training program for your crews, the safety and compliance section below lists Cal/OSHA consultation and OSHA-authorized training centers that work with California employers.

Keep training certificates and completion records where you can find them
Public works contracts may carry apprentice ratio requirements of their own
Underwriters may ask about safety programs, supervision and crew experience
Talk to us before a renewal if your training program has changed

Frequently asked questions

How do I find an apprenticeship program for my trade in California?

Start with your trade's section on this page, then use the region filter to see programs near you. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards also keeps the official list of state-registered programs. Application periods vary by program, so check each program's own site for its current dates.

What is the difference between a union and a merit-shop apprenticeship?

Both can be state-registered and both combine paid work with classroom instruction. Union programs are typically run by a joint committee of a union and its signatory contractors, while merit-shop programs are run by contractor associations whose members are not bound by a collective bargaining agreement.

Can I take construction courses at a community college instead?

Yes. Many California community colleges offer certificates and degrees in construction trades and construction management, and some provide the classroom portion of apprenticeship programs. Each college listing links to its own program page so you can see what it teaches now.

Where can a contractor find continuing education for its crews?

Union training centers, merit-shop associations, trade associations and college extension programs all run journeyman upgrade and continuing education courses. The safety and compliance section lists Cal/OSHA consultation and OSHA-authorized training centers for employers building a safety program.

Does training affect a contractor's insurance?

It can be part of the conversation. Underwriters often ask about safety programs, supervision and crew experience, and documented training helps answer those questions. It is one factor among many, alongside loss history, operations and contracts, and each carrier weighs it differently.

Official resources

Verify current licensing, regulatory and program requirements directly with the responsible agency — this is general information, not legal advice, requirements change without notice, and what is summarized here may be out of date or contain errors. Confirming what applies to your own city, project, contract and policy is your responsibility.

California Division of Apprenticeship StandardsVerified 2026-10-10California Contractors State License BoardVerified 2026-10-10

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Updated October 11, 2026

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