Best Trade Schools in Naples, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Naples. This guide lists accredited options, the top trades hiring in 2025, and Florida licensing steps. It’s built for career changers and recent grads. Use it to compare programs and plan your path from training to a state license and a steady job.

Top Trade Schools in Naples

Below are accredited schools within Naples or a short drive. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each school’s catalog for exact hours and start dates12.

School Program Length Highlights
Lorenzo Walker Technical College (Naples) 6–12 months; 600–1800 clock hours COE-accredited. Electricity, HVAC/R, Welding, Plumbing, Automotive, Culinary, Practical Nursing. Strong labs and industry certifications (NCCER, EPA 608, OSHA-10).
Immokalee Technical College – iTECH (Immokalee) 6–12 months; 750–1800 clock hours COE-accredited. HVAC/R, Welding, Electricity, Plumbing, Automotive Service. Hands-on training, employer partnerships, career services.
Fort Myers Technical College – FMTC (Fort Myers) 6–14 months; 750–1800 clock hours COE-accredited. Electricity, Air Conditioning/Heating, Plumbing, Welding, Automotive, Marine Service, Practical Nursing. High placement support and industry cert prep.
Charlotte Technical College (Port Charlotte) 6–12 months; 750–1350 clock hours COE-accredited. Air Conditioning/Refrigeration, Electricity, Plumbing, Welding, Automotive Service. Day and some evening options; NCCER alignment.
Southern Technical College – Fort Myers 10–18 months (diploma/degree varies) ACCSC-accredited. HVAC and Electrical Trades Technology. Accelerated schedules, exam prep, career services.
Cape Coral Technical College (Cape Coral) 5–12 months; 600–1350 clock hours COE-accredited. Strong in Healthcare, IT/Network Systems, Digital Design, Culinary Services. Good option if you want fast entry into Allied Health or IT support roles.

Tips for picking a school:

  • Confirm program accreditation and state approvals before enrolling12.
  • Ask about pass rates for NCCER, EPA 608, AWS, and state contractor exam prep.
  • Tour labs. In trades, good tools and instructors matter more than marketing.
  • Clarify schedules. Many programs offer morning, afternoon, or evening cohorts.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician New construction, storm hardening, solar tie-ins, and service calls keep electricians busy in Southwest Florida. BLS projects steady demand for electricians nationwide this decade3. A quality electricity program with NCCER credentials prepares you for an apprenticeship or entry-level helper role.

HVAC/R Naples’ heat, humidity, and hurricane season create year-round work for HVAC techs. Systems need install, service, and refrigerant handling. BLS expects HVAC mechanics and installers to remain in demand, especially techs trained in smart controls and heat pumps3. Employers look for EPA Section 608 certification.

Welding Welders support construction, marine fabrication, docks and boat lifts, and repair shops across Collier and Lee counties. Shops value AWS or NCCER credentials plus solid safety habits. National outlook is stable, and local coastal projects add opportunities for skilled fitters and fabricators3.

Plumbing Growth in housing and commercial buildouts keeps plumbers in the field. Water quality systems, code updates, and rebuilds after storm events add steady service work. BLS reports ongoing replacement needs and steady demand for trained plumbers and pipefitters3.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Most hands-on trades in Florida are licensed at the contractor level by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Entry-level techs typically work under a licensed contractor while they gain experience and industry credentials. Here are the common paths:

  • Electrician (Electrical Contractor – Certified or Registered)

    • Board: DBPR Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board4.
    • Steps:
    • Gain verifiable experience (typically 4 years) or a mix of education and experience under a licensed contractor.
    • Pass the state trade exam and the business/finance exam.
    • Show financial responsibility, insurance, and background check.
    • Apply to become a Certified Electrical Contractor (statewide) or Registered (local jurisdiction).
    • Many counties also issue journeyman cards; check local rules in Collier and Lee counties.
    • Start with an electricity certificate and pursue an apprenticeship while working.

  • HVAC (Air Conditioning Contractor – Class A or B)

    • Board: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)4.
    • Steps:
    • Complete 4 years of experience or approved education/experience equivalent.
    • Pass trade and business exams for Class A (unlimited) or Class B (≤25 tons/500,000 BTU).
    • Provide insurance and financial documents.
    • EPA Section 608 is required for handling refrigerants5.

  • Plumbing (Plumbing Contractor)

    • Board: DBPR CILB4.
    • Steps:
    • Document 4 years of experience or equivalent combination with education.
    • Pass the trade and business exams.
    • Provide insurance and financials; submit application to DBPR.
    • Many new plumbers begin in apprenticeship roles while logging hours.

  • Welding

    • No state contractor license for general welding. Employers and municipalities often require AWS structural codes (e.g., D1.1) or NCCER credentials. Training programs aligned to NCCER and AWS speed hiring6.

  • Apprenticeships

    • Florida sponsors registered apprenticeships in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC through employers and associations. Registered programs combine paid work with classroom hours and lead to journeyman-level competence. Ask your school about local sponsors, or review options through state or USDOL apprenticeship systems.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: Many local technical colleges deliver theory (safety, code, math, blueprint reading) online and keep labs in person. This works well for HVAC, electricity, and welding fundamentals.
  • Night and accelerated cohorts: Look for evening sections if you work days. Some schools offer shorter, intensive schedules for exam prep or single-skill modules.
  • Certification prep:
    • EPA 608 test prep for HVAC.
    • NCCER modules for construction trades.
    • OSHA-10/30 for safety.
    • AWS welding codes theory.
  • Exam readiness: Several schools provide Florida contractor exam prep or can refer you to local providers. You can also use online practice banks while you log required experience.

If you need full online programs, focus on theory-heavy parts first: electrical code, business/finance, HVAC controls, blueprint reading, and safety. Then plan in-person labs or an apprenticeship to complete hands-on requirements.

How to Choose the Right Program

  • Fit the program to the license. If you plan to sit for a Florida contractor exam later, pick a program that aligns with NCCER or industry standards and includes code exposure.
  • Confirm placement support. Ask about recent employer partners in Collier and Lee counties and how many grads place in their field.
  • Look for included certs. EPA 608, NCCER, OSHA, and AWS add value on day one.
  • Commute and schedule. Naples traffic adds time. Consider iTECH (Immokalee) or FMTC (Fort Myers) based on your location and class hours.
  • Visit. Tour labs, meet instructors, and ask to see sample syllabi and tools lists.

Next Steps

Local demand for skilled workers remains steady, and Naples-area schools make it simple to get hands-on training and industry certifications. Pick a program, get certified, work under a licensed contractor, and build experience toward your Florida license.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and recognized institutional accreditors. ↩ ↩

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

  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. ↩

  6. NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), industry-recognized construction credentials. ↩

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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.