Best Trade Schools in Kissimmee, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Kissimmee. This guide compares accredited programs, program length, and specialties. It also explains Florida licensing steps and which trades are most in demand in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford metro¹.

Top Trade Schools in Kissimmee

The schools below are accredited and offer hands-on training for high-demand trades. Program lengths are typical full-time ranges.

School	Program Length	Highlights
Osceola Technical College (oTECH) – Kissimmee	8–14 months (750–1350 hours)	Public technical college; COE-accredited; Electricity, HVAC/R, Welding, Plumbing, Automotive; day/evening cohorts; NCCER-aligned labs.
Valencia College – Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (Kissimmee)	18–22 weeks (accelerated)	SACSCOC-accredited; short-term Welding, Mechatronics, CNC; employer-connected accelerated skills training; small cohorts and job placement support².
Florida Technical College – Kissimmee	9–24 months	ACCSC-accredited; Electrical, HVAC/R, Welding, Medical Assisting; bilingual support; hybrid lecture with on-campus labs; career services³.
Orange Technical College – Mid Florida Campus (Orlando)	8–14 months (750–1350 hours)	COE-accredited; Electricity, HVAC/R, Welding, Plumbing; EPA 608 and NCCER prep; night options; about 15–25 minutes from Kissimmee.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Orlando	36–75 weeks	ACCSC-accredited; Automotive and Diesel technician training; manufacturer-specific electives; strong employer network³.
Seminole State College of Florida – Sanford/Lake Mary	12–18 months (clock-hour certificates)	SACSCOC-accredited; HVAC and Welding Technology certificates; pathways to A.S. degrees; modern labs².
Fortis College – Winter Park	9–12 months	ACCSC-accredited; HVAC/R training; EPA Section 608 exam prep; day or evening schedules³.

Tip: Visit the state hub to compare more options across Florida: Florida Trade Schools. You can also explore all trades here: Skilled Trades Hub.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Orlando–Kissimmee growth and steady construction create consistent openings for electricians. Work ranges from residential service to large commercial projects at theme parks, resorts, and hospitals¹.
Training paths include diplomas and apprenticeships. See roles and certifications: Electrician.

HVAC/R Technician

Florida’s heat, humidity, and year-round cooling demand keep HVAC technicians busy. New efficiency standards and heat pump adoption also add service opportunities¹.
Hands-on HVAC programs prepare you for EPA Section 608 and entry-level diagnostics. Learn more: HVAC.

Welder

Fabrication, construction, and maintenance shops in Central Florida hire welders for structural steel, pipe, and repair work. Short-term welding bootcamps can help you get started fast¹.
Many employers value performance qualifications and NCCER credentials. Explore training: Welding.

Plumber

Population growth and ongoing commercial development keep plumbers in demand for rough-in, service, and medical gas work. Licensed contractors supervise apprentices on permitted jobs¹.
See training paths and certifications: Plumbing.

BLS expects steady replacement needs and continued demand across these core trades through 2032¹.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Here’s how licensing works in Florida. Most entry-level techs train and work under a licensed contractor. If you plan to run jobs or open a business, you’ll pursue a contractor license.

General

“Certified” licenses are valid statewide. “Registered” licenses are limited to specific local jurisdictions⁴.
Many counties issue journeyman cards for electricians and plumbers. Requirements vary by locality.

Electrician

Contractor level: Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) via Florida DBPR Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. Requirements typically include verified experience (or education + experience), passing trade and business exams, financial responsibility, background screening, and application/fees⁵.
Journeyman: Often issued by local jurisdictions. Commonly requires 4-year apprenticeship (about 8,000 hours) and a journeyman exam. Work under a licensed contractor.
Continuing education is required for renewal⁵.
Training overview: Electrician.

HVAC/R

Contractor level: Class A (unlimited) or Class B (≤25 tons cooling/≤500,000 BTU heating) via DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Requires verified experience, exams, financial responsibility, and application/fees⁴.
Technicians must hold EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants⁶.
Certified vs Registered contractor status depends on whether you test at the state level or register locally⁴.
Training overview: HVAC.

Plumber

Contractor level: Certified Plumbing Contractor via DBPR CILB. Requires verified experience, trade and business exams, financial responsibility, and application/fees⁴.
Many counties maintain journeyman licensing; apprenticeship is the common path.
Training overview: Plumbing.

Welder

No Florida state license for welders. Employers or authorities may require performance qualifications to recognized codes. NCCER welding credentials are widely recognized in construction and industrial settings⁷.
OSHA-10/30 safety cards are often preferred or required by employers.

Not sure where to start? Compare programs and licensing at the Florida hub: Florida Trade Schools.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid learning: Many Kissimmee-area schools deliver theory online with required, scheduled lab days on campus. This is common in HVAC, electrical, and welding.
Evening/weekend cohorts: Public technical colleges and ACCSC-accredited schools often run night cohorts for working adults. Ask about seat availability and start dates.
Short-term bootcamps: Valencia’s accelerated skills training offers full-time, short programs that lead to industry credentials and direct employer connections².
What to verify: Hands-on lab hours, instructor credentials, credential prep (EPA 608, NCCER, OSHA), externships, and career services.

If you need maximum flexibility, confirm whether attendance is required for labs and how missed labs are made up. Trades remain hands-on. 100% online is rare for entry-level training.

Next Steps

See all state options: Florida Trade Schools
Explore careers and training by trade: Skilled Trades Hub
Start from the national hub: Trade School
Read how-to resources and checklists: Guides

Have questions about a specific license or school? Visit the trade pages above and contact admissions. Touring labs and talking with instructors is the best way to confirm fit.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook (Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Welders). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (public colleges in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford metro). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Directory of Accredited Institutions. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/index.aspx ↩ ↩ ↩
Florida DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) for HVAC and Plumbing. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&boardid=05&SID= ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&boardid=05&SID= ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩
NCCER — National craft credentials and assessments. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩

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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.