Skilled and Technical Trades

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Skilled and Technical Trades certificate programs provide hands-on training from top-rated instructors in the fields of electronics, HVAC, plumbing, upholstery, welding, and metal fabrication. Students earn career training certificates upon completion of the programs.

Career Training Certificates

Career Pathways

Student Success

Andrea Cook, a former theatre major from Graham, Texas moved to California to start a new career. She enrolled in the welding certificate program and is focused on starting an architectural lighting design business.

“I was about to be a theatre teacher but endured health problems so I left and never went back,” said Cook. “I have a big craft side and welding was always something I wanted to do. I used to build lighting and stages for my school’s arts department.”

“We began class by learning temperatures and how metal melts, then we moved on to blueprints and symbols,” said Cook, remembering her first semester.

Cook became a certified welder, completing SDCCE’s Shielding Metal Arc Welding and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding certificate program.

“The men didn’t expect me to be here and to tough it out,” Cook said jokingly. “That’s what made me want it more.”

Andrea Cook

Electronics Technician

900 HOURS
25 HOURS PER WEEK
36 WEEKS

Wires and parts interest some people. If you like to work with your hands, have good eyesight and a commitment to precision, this may be a good career for you.

Instructors are field engineers currently employed by local firms to provide the latest trends in electronics, and market demands in this hands-on training program.

Complete two courses:

  • ELRN 451 Industrial Electronics
  • ELRN 452 Video Electronics Technology
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Electronics Technician Orientation

Enrollment is not currently available for this program. When enrollment becomes available, mandatory orientation will be required prior to enrollment. Please add your name to the mailing list to receive information and updates about programs and classes at San Diego Continuing Education.

Air Conditioning and Heating I

72 HOURS
7 HOURS PER WEEK
11 WEEKS

Learn areas of comfort cooling including basic air conditioning and heating theory; heating fundamentals and appliances; requirements and controls; circuits, thermostats; schematics, and communications. Includes hands-on instruction in brazing copper piping and fittings. Designed as the first of a two-course program.

Complete one course:

  • MECT 431 Air Conditioning/Heating I
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Air Conditioning and Heating I Orientation

Air Conditioning and Heating orientations are offered by the following campuses.

Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)

North City Campus

Air Conditioning and Heating II

48HOURS
7 HOURS PER WEEK
7 WEEKS

Focus is on gas and electric heating; cooling fundamentals, components, and installation; heat pumps; general service; Environmental Protection Agency certification, troubleshooting and job search techniques.

Complete one course:

  • MECT 432 Air Conditioning/Heating II
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Air Conditioning and Heating II Orientation

Air Conditioning and Heating orientations are offered by the following campuses.

Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)

North City Campus

Plumbing I

120 HOURS
7 HOURS PER WEEK
18 WEEKS

Learn source determination, water distribution, waste removal, pressure adjustment, basic physics, technical math, blueprint reading, pipe installation, pumps, welding and soldering, inspection, and applicable codes and standards.

Complete one course:

  • MECT 421 Plumbing I
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Plumbing I Orientation

Plumbing I orientations are offered by the following campuses.

Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)

North City Campus

Plumbing II

120 HOURS
7 HOURS PER WEEK
18 WEEKS

Focus is on the latest adopted Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), which is the model plumbing code adopted by the State of California, and published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Basic math as it relates to the plumbing trade is also part of this program.

Complete one course:

  • MECT 422 Plumbing II
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Plumbing III

120 HOURS
7 HOURS PER WEEK
18 WEEKS

Advanced training including the layout, design, and size of piping systems; specialized systems; public relations; tests, coding, and inspections (including solar); plumbing math, and safety requirements. Use saws, rigid chain cutters, thread-o-matics, triangles, T-squares and scales.

Complete one course:

  • MECT 423 Plumbing III
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Basic Upholstery Skills

250 HOURS EACH
25 HOURS PER WEEK
10 WEEKS

Training and hands-on experience for entry-level employment in the automotive, furniture, and related upholstery industries. Competency standards approved by the industry advisory board.

Complete one course:

  • AUTO 414 Basic Upholstery Skills
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Basic Upholstery Skills Orientation

Enrollment is not currently available for this program. When enrollment becomes available, mandatory orientation will be required prior to enrollment. Please add your name to the mailing list to receive information and updates about programs and classes at San Diego Continuing Education.

Household Upholstery

250 HOURS EACH
25 HOURS PER WEEK
10 WEEKS

Upholstering footstools, benches, chairs, chaise lounges. Methods of springing, stuffing, covering, cushion-making, study slipcovers when appropriate. Shop practice and theory.

Complete one course:

  • HMID 535 Household Upholstery
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Household Upholstery Orientation

Enrollment is not currently available for this program. When enrollment becomes available, mandatory orientation will be required prior to enrollment. Please add your name to the mailing list to receive information and updates about programs and classes at San Diego Continuing Education.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding

600 HOURS
25 HOURS PER WEEK
24 WEEKS

Provides basic instruction in the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process on steel plates and shapes. Topics include orientation, safety, measuring tools, material types, metal cutting and preparation, and SMAW procedures and practices. Workplace skills including math, communications, and business ethics are integrated into the curriculum. Students successfully completing this course will be prepare for entry-level positions.

Complete two courses:

  • INDT 601 Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
  • INDT 602 Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Orientation

Welding programs are offered at the Educational Cultural Complex and require orientation prior to enrollment.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

600 HOURS
25 HOURS PER WEEK
24 WEEKS

Techniques and practices are introduced to assist students in welding a variety of materials (ferrous and non-ferrous) including sheet, shapes, and tube stock projects and repairs. Students also gain workplace skills such as math, communications, and business ethics.

Complete two courses:

  • INDT 621 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I
  • INDT 622 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Class Notes Class Description version

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Orientation

Welding programs are offered at the Educational Cultural Complex and require orientation prior to enrollment.

Mission: San Diego College of Continuing Education commits to student success and community enrichment by providing tuition-free, accessible, equitable, and innovative quality education and support services to diverse learners in pursuit of lifelong learning, training, career advancement, and pathways to credit college. read more »