Best Trade Schools in Avon Park, Florida (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Avon Park. This guide compares accredited programs, program lengths, and local licensing steps. It also shows which trades are growing and how to qualify for a license or certification in Florida[^1][^2].

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Top Trade Schools in Avon Park

Below are accredited options in and near Highlands County. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm start dates and schedules with the school[^2].

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. Demand stays strong as homes and solar projects grow in Central Florida. Training usually starts with a certificate or an apprenticeship, then a local journeyman card, and later a state contractor license if you want to run jobs and pull permits[^1].

• HVAC/R Florida’s heat keeps HVAC techs busy all year. Technicians service cooling, heat pumps, and refrigeration. Many start with a 9–12 month certificate and pass EPA 608. Experienced techs move into supervising, controls, or become state-licensed contractors[^1][^5].

• Welding Welders work in fabrication, construction, marine, and utilities. Certificates can be finished in under a year. Employers value AWS code tests and NCCER credentials. Pay rises with process skill (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) and code qualifications[^1].

• Plumbing Plumbers install and repair water, drain, and gas systems. Florida uses a mix of local journeyman cards and state contractor licensing. Demand is driven by steady residential and commercial building across the region[^1].

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these trades offer stable employment and opportunities to advance with experience and credentials[^1].

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; national data shown when state medians are unavailable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. State data (Florida) shown where available; national OEWS values used when state data is unavailable. Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Here are the typical steps and boards for the trades most students in Avon Park pursue. Always check the latest requirements before you apply or test.

• Electrician (DBPR – Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)

  • Start with an approved electrical program or apprenticeship.
  • Work toward a local journeyman license through your county/municipality (experience and exam).
  • For statewide permitting and business ownership, apply for a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) or Registered Electrical Contractor (ER) license through DBPR. Requirements include experience, exams, background check, financial responsibility, and insurance.
  • Complete continuing education to renew[^3].

• HVAC (DBPR – Construction Industry Licensing Board)

  • Complete an HVAC/R certificate or apprenticeship.
  • Obtain EPA Section 608 Technician Certification to handle refrigerants (required nationally)[^5].
  • Work under a licensed contractor. With ~4 years verifiable experience, you can apply for a Class A or Class B Air Conditioning Contractor license through DBPR/CILB, pass exams, and meet financial and insurance requirements.
  • Maintain continuing education for renewal[^3][^5].

• Plumbing (DBPR – Construction Industry Licensing Board)

  • Train through a plumbing program or apprenticeship.
  • Earn a local journeyman license where required (experience and exam).
  • To contract statewide, apply for a Certified Plumbing Contractor license via DBPR/CILB, pass exams, and meet financial and insurance standards.
  • Continuing education required for renewal[^3].

• Welding

  • Florida does not issue a state welder license. Employers typically require AWS code qualifications (e.g., D1.1) and may accept NCCER performance verifications. Many projects also expect OSHA-10/30 safety cards[^1].

• Nursing and EMS

  • CNA: Complete an approved program and pass the Florida CNA exam to be listed on the registry (Florida Board of Nursing).
  • LPN: Complete an approved PN program and pass the NCLEX-PN (Florida Board of Nursing).
  • EMT/Paramedic: Complete an approved program and pass NREMT; apply for Florida certification through the Department of Health[^4].

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid programs
  • Local colleges may offer online lectures for trade theory with on-campus labs for hands-on skills. This can reduce commuting while keeping you lab-ready.
• Evening/weekend schedules
  • Many Florida technical colleges run evening sections in HVAC, Electricity, and Welding. Ask admissions about start dates and cohort capacity.
• Fully online coursework
  • Online schools can help with theory and exam prep (for example, EPA 608 for HVAC), but trades still require lab practice, on-the-job training, or apprenticeships to be employable and to qualify for licenses or code tests[^5].

Not sure which format fits your schedule? Talk with admissions about lab availability, externships, and employer partnerships in Highlands and neighboring counties. College Navigator profiles can confirm accreditation and program approvals before you enroll[^2].

Next Steps

• Compare all Florida trade school options: Florida Trade Schools
• Browse careers and requirements: Skilled Trades Hub
• Learn the trades:
  • Electrician
  • HVAC
  • Welding
  • Plumbing
• Planning your path? See our how-to resources in Guides.

Visit campuses, ask about licensure pass rates, job placement, and lab time. Bring a checklist of certifications you need for your target job. Then choose the program that fits your timeline and career goals.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and OEWS data, accessed 2025. [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator profiles for listed schools and accreditation details, accessed 2025. [^3]: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board requirements, accessed 2025. [^4]: Florida Board of Nursing and Florida Department of Health (EMS), licensure and certification steps, accessed 2025. [^5]: U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification requirements for refrigerants, accessed 2025.