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

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Fort Myers. This guide compares accredited programs, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Florida licensing. Use it to pick a school that fits your goals and schedule.

Top Trade Schools in Fort Myers

All schools below are accredited and offer hands-on training. Program lengths vary by program track and schedule.

School Program Length Highlights
Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) – Fort Myers 4-18 months COE-accredited. Electrician, HVAC/R, Welding, Plumbing, Automotive, Diesel, Practical Nursing, EMT/Firefighter. Strong employer ties and industry cert prep. 1
Cape Coral Technical College (CCTC) – Cape Coral 4-12 months COE-accredited. Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Network Support, Digital Design, Cosmetology. Clinical and industry labs. 1
Southern Technical College – Fort Myers 8-24 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, Electrical Trades Technology, Welding, Medical Assisting. Day/evening options. Exam prep and career services. 2
Florida Academy – Fort Myers 6-12 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC/R Technology and Spa/Beauty. Small lab cohorts, EPA 608 prep for HVAC grads. 2
Charlotte Technical College – Port Charlotte 4-18 months COE-accredited. Welding, HVAC, Electricity, Plumbing, Automotive, Practical Nursing. Modern labs serving the greater SWFL area. 1
Lorenzo Walker Technical College – Naples 4-18 months COE-accredited. Electricity, HVAC/R, Plumbing, Welding, Automotive, Practical Nursing. Industry cert pathways, bilingual support. 1

Tip: Tour labs before you enroll. Ask about pass rates on industry exams, recent placement data, and scheduling for night cohorts. Use College Navigator to confirm program-level details. 1

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • What you do: Install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems in homes and commercial buildings.
    • Outlook: Electricians remain in steady demand due to housing growth and storm hardening across Southwest Florida. Nationally, employment is projected to grow through 2032, with median pay well above many entry-level jobs. 3
    • Where to train: FMTC Electricity, Southern Technical College Electrical Trades Technology.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • What you do: Install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. EPA 608 credential is standard.
    • Outlook: Florida’s climate and construction pipeline keep HVAC techs busy year-round. Median wages are solid, and overtime is common in peak seasons. 3
    • Where to train: FMTC HVAC/R, Florida Academy HVAC/R, Southern Technical College HVAC.

  • Welding

    • What you do: Fabricate and repair metal components for construction, manufacturing, and marine work.
    • Outlook: Welding supports construction, utilities, and transportation in the region. Employers value AWS process tests and multi-position skill. 34
    • Where to train: FMTC Welding, Charlotte Technical College Welding, Lorenzo Walker Welding.

  • Plumbing

    • What you do: Install and repair water, gas, and drainage systems.
    • Outlook: Service and retrofit work are strong in growing metros like Cape Coral–Fort Myers. Experienced plumbers and licensed contractors command higher pay. 3
    • Where to train: FMTC Plumbing, Lorenzo Walker Plumbing, Charlotte Technical College Plumbing.

Local note: Construction and service trades in Lee and Collier counties continue to see steady employer demand driven by population growth and rebuilding cycles. Electricians, HVAC techs, and plumbers are especially active in residential service and light commercial. 3

Explore trades and career paths:

  • Electrician overview and training steps: Electrician
  • HVAC training and certifications: HVAC
  • Welding training and certs: Welding
  • Plumbing apprenticeships and licensing: Plumbing
  • Browse all trades: Trades Hub

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Most entry-level techs work under the license of a certified or registered contractor while they build hours and experience. Contractor licensing is statewide through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

  • Electrician

    • Florida licenses electrical contractors, not journeyman electricians statewide. Some counties issue journeyman cards locally.
    • To become a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC):
    • Document 4 years of experience (education may substitute for part), including supervisory experience.
    • Pass the trade knowledge exam and the business & finance exam.
    • Provide credit/financial responsibility, background check, and proof of insurance.
    • Apply through DBPR’s Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. 5

  • HVAC/R (Air Conditioning)

    • Florida licenses Class A (unlimited) and Class B (limited) Air Conditioning Contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).
    • Steps:
    • 4 years of experience (education can count for up to 3 years for some applicants).
    • Pass trade and business & finance exams.
    • Meet financial and insurance requirements and apply with DBPR. 6
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling. 7

  • Plumbing

    • Florida licenses Certified Plumbing Contractors through the CILB.
    • Steps:
    • 4 years of experience or a mix of education and experience.
    • Pass trade and business & finance exams.
    • Provide financial responsibility, background, and insurance; apply with DBPR. 6
    • Many municipalities also offer journeyman exams and cards for working under a contractor.

  • Welding

    • No state license is required for welders.
    • Most employers require passing an AWS weld test to the applicable code (for example, D1.1 structural) and safety training such as OSHA-10. 4

Always verify current requirements on DBPR’s site and your local building department before you test or apply. 56

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: Local schools often deliver theory online with on-campus labs for skills. Ask FMTC, Southern Technical College, and Florida Academy about night/weekend options and hybrid schedules.
  • Short industry certs: EPA 608, NCCER Electrical/Welding, OSHA-10/30, and manufacturer trainings can stack onto your diploma for better hiring outcomes. Many are available in short, flexible blocks. 4
  • Fully online options: Trades are hands-on, but related paths like medical billing, IT support, or project management can start online. See the Trades Hub for role guides.

Next Steps

Visit campuses, meet instructors, and ask for program outcomes and employer partners. Choose the shortest path that gets you licensed, certified, and employed.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. collegenavigator.ed.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions. accsc.org ↩ ↩

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and Occupational Employment Statistics. bls.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. O*NET OnLine and NCCER credential frameworks for trade skills and tasks. onetonline.org, nccer.org ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. myfloridalicense.com ↩ ↩

  6. Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) for Air Conditioning and Plumbing. myfloridalicense.com ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. epa.gov ↩

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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.