Best Trade Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Fort Lauderdale. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, training length, and specialties. See the licensing steps for Florida and the trades hiring now. Job demand for skilled trades remains strong across construction, HVAC, electrical, marine, and healthcare support in 20251.

Top Trade Schools in Fort Lauderdale

The schools below are accredited and serve Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. Program length is typical; check each school for current schedules and start dates.

School Program Length Highlights
Atlantic Technical College – Arthur Ashe, Jr. Campus (Fort Lauderdale) 6–12 months (most PSAV/CTE programs) COE-accredited; hands-on labs; programs such as Electricity, HVAC/R, Plumbing, Medical Assisting; Broward County Public Schools network2
Atlantic Technical College – Main Campus (Coconut Creek) 9–18 months COE-accredited; Welding, Marine Service, Automotive, CNC Machining, Practical Nursing; strong employer ties in Broward marine and manufacturing2
McFatter Technical College (Davie) 9–18 months COE-accredited; Welding, Electricity, HVAC/R, Culinary, Network Systems, EMT; flexible day/evening options2
Sheridan Technical College (Hollywood & Pembroke Pines) 9–18 months COE-accredited; Automotive, HVAC/R, Electricity, Plumbing, Welding, Cybersecurity; modern shops and labs2
Broward College (Fort Lauderdale and centers) 1–24 months (certs); 2 years (AS) SACSCOC-accredited; Aviation Maintenance (A&P), Building/Construction, EMT/Paramedic, Marine- and tech-focused workforce certificates; stackable pathways2
Concorde Career Institute – Miramar 8–20 months ACCSC-accredited; focused healthcare programs such as Dental Assisting, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant; hybrid scheduling3
Florida Career College – Margate ~10–12 months ACCSC-accredited; HVAC, Electrical training technician, Medical Assistant; career services and frequent starts3

Tip: Tour the labs, ask about certification pass rates, and verify current accreditation on the U.S. Department of Education or accreditor directories23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New construction, data centers, and solar integrations are keeping electricians busy in South Florida. Entry begins with an apprenticeship or school-based electricity program, then on-the-job training. National and Florida outlook remains strong1. See the trade overview: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Florida’s climate drives year-round demand for installation and service. Employers expect EPA 608 and hands-on experience with heat pumps and VRF systems. Job growth remains steady with strong replacement needs1. Learn more: HVAC.

  • Plumber

    • Growth in residential and commercial build-outs, plus ongoing service work, supports solid demand. Apprenticeships and technical college plumbing programs are the fastest path to the field1. Explore the trade: Plumbing.

  • Welder

    • Fort Lauderdale’s marine refit, yacht repair, and fabrication shops need structural and pipe welders. AWS certification and shop hours are key. Manufacturing and infrastructure projects add steady opportunities1. Learn the basics: Welding.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Florida licenses contractors at the state level. “Journeyman” and “master” levels are often managed locally or through employers and apprenticeship sponsors. Always verify current rules with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)4.

  • Electrician (Contractor)

    • Board: DBPR Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board4.
    • Steps:
    • Complete apprenticeship or equivalent experience (commonly 4 years/8,000 hours).
    • Pass the state Certified Electrical Contractor exam (Pearson VUE).
    • Meet insurance, financial responsibility, and background requirements.
    • Keep up with continuing education for renewal.
    • Note: Local journeyman cards may exist; many employers use apprenticeship plus exam readiness as the benchmark.

  • HVAC/R (Air Conditioning Contractor)

    • Board: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)4.
    • Classes:
    • Class A: Unlimited HVAC (statewide).
    • Class B: Systems up to 25 tons cooling/500,000 BTU heating.
    • Steps:
    • 4 years verified experience or education/experience equivalent.
    • Pass state exam; verify financial stability and insurance.
    • EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants5.

  • Plumbing (Contractor)

    • Board: DBPR CILB4.
    • Steps:
    • Complete a plumbing apprenticeship or verified work experience.
    • Pass the Certified Plumbing Contractor exam (statewide credential).
    • Provide proofs of insurance, financial responsibility, and background.
    • Note: Many plumbers work as apprentices/technicians under a licensed contractor before seeking their own license.

  • Welding

    • No state license for general welding.
    • Employers typically require certifications aligned to the job:
    • AWS D1.1 structural steel, AWS D1.2 aluminum, or ASME Section IX for pressure work.
    • Marine and pipeline roles may ask for NCCER or API 1104.
    • Build a portfolio of test plates and position quals; keep continuity logs up to date.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning at Broward Technical Colleges

    • Atlantic, McFatter, and Sheridan offer some blended coursework with in-person labs for trades that require hands-on skill. Evening cohorts are common for working adults2.

  • Broward College short-term certificates

    • Workforce certificates and some AS courses offer online theory paired with on-site labs, clinicals, or shop time2.

  • ACCSC schools with blended delivery

    • Concorde (Miramar) and Florida Career College (Margate) use hybrid formats in select programs to speed completion without losing lab practice3.

  • Self-paced study to supplement hands-on work

    • Use EPA 608 prep before your HVAC lab, or code and safety modules alongside apprenticeships. Confirm your employer or apprenticeship sponsor accepts your coursework5.

How to Choose a School

  • Check accreditation and licensure alignment

    • Look for institutional accreditation (COE, ACCSC, SACSCOC) and program-specific industry certifications you can test for on completion23.

  • Confirm lab time and equipment

    • Ask how many clock hours are on the tools you will actually use in the field (multimeters, recovery machines, welding processes, press tools).

  • Ask about employer pipelines

    • Good programs connect you to apprenticeships, externships, or direct placement with Broward employers in construction, marine, and manufacturing.

  • Compare schedules and start dates

    • Many Fort Lauderdale programs have multiple start dates per year, with day and evening cohorts.

Next Steps

Footnotes

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook data and Employment Projections for construction, installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator and institutional listings for public technical colleges and community colleges in Florida. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), accredited institution directory. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification resources. ↩ ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.