Florida Skilled Trade Schools

What You Need to Learn**

The specific knowledge and hands-on abilities you need to gain vary from trade to trade. Depending on what kind of tradesperson you want to become, you may be required to learn skills like the following examples. (This is not a complete list.)

• Reading technical blueprints and schematics
• Using trade-specific math and physics
• Communicating effectively
• Following safety procedures
• Adhering to government regulations
• Identifying and solving technical or mechanical problems
• Operating special tools, equipment, or machinery
• Building, inspecting, installing, fixing, testing, or replacing:
  • Structures
  • Parts
  • Systems
  • Wiring
  • Motors
  • Equipment

Training Options

Florida residents who pursue careers in the skilled trades generally get their formal training through one or both of these options:

Trade school programs: Attending a vocational college can be a convenient way to learn the skills necessary to get started in your chosen occupation. Most programs take less than two years to complete. And some only take a few months.** You can earn a certificate, diploma, or associate degree while getting both classroom instruction and hands-on training with real tools and equipment.

Apprenticeships: This path involves finding an employer who will agree to sponsor your training. You'll get paid while you learn practical skills on the job. And your employer will generally pay for your classroom instruction. Apprenticeships can last up to five years or as little as one year, depending on the trade and your previous training.** (Attending a trade school beforehand can sometimes make it easier to get hired by an employer-sponsor, and it can shorten your overall time as an apprentice.) You can look for apprenticeship opportunities through ApprenticeshipUSA.

Most Common Length of School**
(range in months)

• Commercial diving
  4-8
• Automotive technology
  6-24
• Electrical technology
  6-24
• Welding
  7-24
• HVAC technology
  8-24

Licensing & Certification

In Florida, statewide licensing is only available for skilled tradespeople who want to become contractors (i.e., business owners). It's offered through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You can get a general contractor license or one related to your specialty, such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, building, or solar.

You'll need at least a few years of work experience in your particular trade. You also may need to:

• Pass a state exam
• Share personal and business credit reports
• Have workers' compensation and general liability insurance
• Pass a criminal record check
• Meet continuing education requirements

Getting a license through DBPR makes you a certified contractor and allows you to work throughout the state. You can also become a registered contractor through your city or county, but that type of license only allows you to work in that particular jurisdiction.

For skilled tradespeople who are not contractors, licensing requirements vary from one city or county to another. For example, Miami-Dade County offers licensing for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. And the City of Jacksonville licenses tradespeople by awarding certificates of competency at various levels, including (from highest to lowest):

• Contractor
• Master
• Journeyman
• Serviceman
• Installer

Among other licensing requirements at the city or county level, you generally need to have a minimum amount of trade-related work experience and/or the equivalent amount of education. Passing an exam is also frequently necessary.

Certification

Some trades require certification at the federal level. For instance, you'll need Federal Aviation Administration certification in order to work as an aircraft mechanic. And if you want to work with refrigerants as an HVAC tech, you'll need Section 608 certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.

In other skilled trades, you may not have to meet any licensing requirements. But voluntary certifications are still often available if you want potential employers to feel confident that you have industry-recognized skills. For example, many auto mechanics pursue certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

FAQs About Florida Skilled Trades Training

What skilled trades can I learn at a Florida vocational school?

A large variety of programs are offered throughout the state. Whether you want a career that lets you work indoors, outdoors, or even underwater, you can find a training option that suits you. Some of the skilled trade occupations that Floridians go to school for include:

• Aircraft mechanic
• Automotive service technician
• Carpenter
• Diesel engine technician
• Electrician
• HVAC/R technician
• Marine mechanic
• Motorcycle mechanic
• Plumber
• Welder

Which skilled trades offer the most employment opportunities in Florida after you graduate?

According to DEO, tens of thousands of openings could be created in many skilled trades that you can go to school for. Between 2019 and 2027, the ones with the highest numbers of total job openings are expected to include:

• Commercial truck drivers: 89,255
• Carpenters: 63,043
• Auto mechanics: 46,007
• Electricians: 43,984
• HVAC/R technicians: 34,857

Do I need a high school diploma in order to learn a skilled trade in Florida?

Not necessarily. A GED can also qualify you for admission to a trade school. You may even be able to enroll in a vocational college if you don't have a GED or high school diploma. In that case, you'll probably be asked to take an exam that tests your readiness for a post-secondary education. Depending on the results, you may need to take some basic math or English classes before starting a skilled trade program.

For apprenticeships, most employer-sponsors prefer to hire people who have at least a high school diploma or GED. But it's always worth contacting any potential employer or school to learn about their exact requirements.

Career Information

Many skilled tradespeople in Florida benefit from good wages and high demand for their abilities. The potential opportunities are extremely varied and expected to keep growing.

Florida Skilled Trades Snapshot

Career Outlook*
9.8% job growth from 2019-2027

Median Salary*
(Average Median)

Job Openings*
Yearly Average

Length of Training
Most Common Length

Work Settings

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation