10 Best Trade Schools inBend, OR

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If you want to start a rewarding career in an in-demand field without spending four years in post-secondary education, our selection of the best trade schools in Bend, Oregon, may help you get an idea about the training options available to you.

The programs included in our list are typically less than two years long and combine classroom with hands-on education.

Our selection also includes apprenticeships that combine on-the-job training with classroom education.

The apprentice trains with a journeyman during the day, works for a contractor, and attends classes on weekends or evenings.

Although apprenticeships take up to five years to complete, you will receive a wage for the on-the-job training part.

We encourage you to explore all your options and decide what format best meets your learning style and career aspirations.



1Bend Tech Academy

About the School

Bend-Tech Academy is a comprehensive high school that offers a complete college-preparatory curriculum.

The school focuses on career and technical education programs, designed to provide students with experiences that prepare them for a career in their field of study.

The courses are taught by experienced teachers who have also worked in a related industry.

Bend Tech Academy has a trimester schedule, with three trimesters each year.

Students may take up to five classes per trimester.

In the 9th and 10th grades, students are expected to take five classes each trimester, and they have the opportunity to earn up to 7.5 credits at the end of each year.

Courses Offered

Bend-Tech Academy includes training in the following fields:

  • Business Leadership
  • Construction
  • Medical/Health
  • STEM/Engineering

The construction pathway covers skills such as Shop Safety, Blueprint Reading, Wall Framing, Roof Framing, Electrical, Plumbing, Methods & Materials, Water & Energy Efficiency, and more.

Contact Information


2Cascade Culinary Institute

Cascade Culinary Institute emphasizes high-level conceptual learning and competency-based skill training.

The culinary institute prepares students for careers in the hospitality industry.

Cascade Culinary Institute is located on the Central Oregon Community College campus.

Courses Offered

The following Associate of Applied Science Degrees are available at the institute:

  • Culinary Arts- a 94-credit program
  • Baking & Pastry Arts- 96 credits
  • Hospitality Management- a program that awards between 90-94 credits

The following certificates are also available at the institute:

  • Culinary Arts- 50 credits
  • Baking and Pastry Arts- 54 credits
  • Hospitality Management- 47-51 credits

Contact Information


3Advanced Beauty Academy

About the School

The Advanced Beauty Academy helps beauty school graduates start a career in the beauty industry.

Programs are also available for working artists who want to refine their skills.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available at the school:

  • Hair and Makeup
  • Hair Course- you will learn how to start your portfolio, work on a professional photo shoot, and work on real people; the school also provides you with potential career opportunities and more
  • Makeup Course:
    • Kit- Set up and break down
    • Prep, matching skin tones, contouring, and highlighting
    • Makeup looks
    • One day dedicated to lashes, brows, lips
    • Navigate shoots and productions
    • Tricks of the trade
    • And more
  • Slam Course: hair and makeup courses available by appointment only

Costs vary depending on the program.

The hair program costs $1,100, while the makeup course costs $2,800.

The Hair and Makeup program costs $3,850.

Contact Information


4Phagans' Cosmetology Colleges

Phagans’ Cosmetology Colleges prepares students for lifetime careers in the cosmetology field.

A group of five institutions in Oregon, Phagans’ Cosmetology Colleges are dedicated to graduating career-ready beauty and barbering professionals.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the college:

  • Hair Design- students learn how to cut, color, style, design, texture, balayage, and weave hair
  • Esthetics- a program that covers skin care and treatment, make-up, waxing, and tweezing skills
  • Barbering- students learn to cut, clipper, fade, shave, style, and design
  • Nair Technology- students learn about natural nail care, gels, acrylics, and polish

Costs vary depending on the program.

The Nail Technology program costs $6,654 and includes 320 clock hours.

The Hair Design program costs $15,169 and includes 1,168 clock hours.

Contact Information


5Eastern Oregon University

About the School

Eastern Oregon University works with students in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties.

The university also enrolls EOU online students from outside of Oregon.

Students may earn a fully accredited bachelor’s degree with flexible courses that are available completely online.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available on campus:

  • Accounting
  • Biology
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Rangeland Science
  • Computer Science
  • Public Policy Minor
  • And more

Online Certificate programs are also available:

  • Computer Programming I & II Certificate
  • Early Childhood Education Certificate
  • Trauma in Educational Communities Certificate

The per-year tuition for 18 credits is $5,155.

Contact Information

  • Address: One University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850-2807
  • Phone: 800-452-8639 | 541-962-3672
  • Website: https://www.eou.edu

6Leading Edge Flight Academy

About the School

Leading Edge Flight Academy has been the go-to flight training program for airplane and helicopter pilots for nearly 20 years.

The school has a hands-on, service-first approach to flight training and aims to help each student reach their full potential.

Courses Offered

The following airplane programs are available at the Academy:

  • Private Pilot- Airplane Single Engine Land
  • Instrument- Airplane
  • Commercial Pilot- Airplane Single and Multi-Engine Land
  • Certified Flight Instructor- Airplane Single and Multi-Engine Land
  • Certified Flight Instructor- Instrument Airplane

The following helicopter programs are also available:

  • Private Pilot- Rotorcraft
  • Instrument- Rotorcraft
  • Commercial Pilot- Rotorcraft
  • Certified Flight Instructor- Rotorcraft
  • Certified Flight Instructor- Instrument Helicopter

Contact Information

  • Address: 63048 Powell Butte Highway, Bend, OR 97701, USA
  • Phone: (541) 383-8825
  • Website: https://flybend.com

7Specialized Aero Works

About the School

Specialized Aero Works offers specialized flight training.

The school provides training in the areas of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, Emergency Maneuvering, Spins, Tailwheel, Formation, and more.

The school offers customized academics and flight training in order to give pilots the appropriate training needed to increase their capabilities and decision-making abilities as a pilot.

Specialized Aero Works has a group of instructors who are highly experienced and have real-world experience.

They come from a variety of backgrounds, including military pilots, test pilots, backcountry, air ambulance, and DPEs.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available at the school:

  • Upset Prevention and Recovery
  • Aerobics
  • Emergency Maneuvering
  • CFI Spin Endorsement
  • Formation
  • Tailwheel

Contact Information


8UA Local 290

About the School

If you want to prepare for a new career through an apprenticeship, programs that combine classroom with on-the-job training are also available.

Such five-year apprenticeships for plumbers, steamfitters, and HVAC/R Service Technicians are available at UA Local 290

The programs are for high school graduates looking for something other than the traditional college route.

Once accepted into the apprenticeship program, each new apprentice is paired with a journeyman for the on-the-job training part.

The apprentice trains with the journeyman during the day, working for one of the contractors that partner with UA Local 290.

Related training classes are held in the evenings and occasionally on Saturdays.

Students earn a wage while they learn and receive pay increases as they learn to perform more complex tasks.

When they become journeyman, trainees increase their chances of finding a high-paying job in the industry.

Contact Information


9160 Driving Academy

About the School

Programs are also available for students who want to start careers as commercial drivers.

160 Driving Academy prepares students for new careers with flexible scheduling and room to grow and advance.

The truck driving program includes 160 hours of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training.

Students prepare with everything they need to begin a rewarding career in this industry.

The 160 Driving Academy offers:

  • Classroom instruction
  • Behind-the-wheel training
  • A four-week program
  • One teacher for every four students
  • Convenient weekday and night classes to accommodate different schedules
  • Multiple tuition options
  • And more

Contact Information


10Northwest College School of Beauty

About the School

If you want to prepare for a career in the beauty industry, Northwest College School of Beauty prepares spa and beauty salon professionals- hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, and nail technicians at several locations in Oregon.

The school has locations in Beaverton, Clackamas, Medford, Springfield, and Tualatin, Oregon.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at Northwest College School of Beauty

  • Cosmetology- a program that covers hairstyling, skin care, nail art, and much more
  • Hair Design- a program that covers hairstyling and color
  • Barbering- a program that focuses on short hairstyles and prepares students to create stunning shaves
  • Esthetics- a program that covers facials, waxing, and makeup
  • Advanced Esthetics- students learn how to use advanced esthetics equipment for stunning results
  • Nail Technology- students learn from manicures to intricate nail art

Contact Information


Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a high school graduate or an adult who wants to learn new skills and improve your earning prospects, the schools included in our list may help you achieve your goals.

Now that you have read our selection of the best trade schools in Bend, Oregon, it’s time to continue the research and decide where to enroll.


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