Plenty of good jobs in Contra Costa need a short certificate rather than a four-year degree. Our guides to Kaiser and John Muir and refinery work show employers asking for exactly these. Here are local programs that train for them.
Healthcare
- Medical assisting, Contra Costa College (San Pablo): a certificate or associate degree. The college says students do externships with providers including Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and LifeLong Medical Care.
- EMT, Contra Costa College: one semester, ending with the national registry (NREMT) exam. You need CPR (American Heart Association BLS) first, and a background check and immunizations for the clinical part.
- Mt. Diablo Adult Education (Concord): career programs including Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant and Dental Assistant. In 2024-25 the district listed them at about 12, 28 and 40 weeks.
Kaiser and John Muir medical assistant postings ask for a completed medical assistant program and Basic Life Support. Those postings paid $32.87 to $44.38 an hour.
Refinery and plant work
- Process Technology, Los Medanos College (Pittsburg): a 33-unit certificate in as few as three semesters, or a 60-unit associate degree. The college says graduates can earn over $100,000 a year and lists Chevron, Marathon and ConocoPhillips among its industry partners.
Trades
- Future Build (East County): a pre-apprenticeship of 16 weeks or more, with certificates including MC3, OSHA 10, forklift and flagger.
- RichmondBUILD (Richmond): a carpentry pre-apprenticeship with electives in solar, electrical and energy efficiency.
- Automotive Service Technician, Contra Costa College: a certificate the college says counts as a full year of experience toward ASE certification.
Our guide to trades apprenticeships explains the step after a pre-apprenticeship.
Paying for it
- Community college tuition in California is low, and many students qualify for fee waivers. Contra Costa College says most of its students qualify for free tuition.
- The county’s free job centers can help pay for training through the federal WIOA program, if you qualify.
Not sure which path fits? Take our Trades or Degree? quiz.