Best Trade Schools in Orlando, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Orlando. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, program lengths, specialties, and the steps to get licensed in Florida. We also outline high-demand trades in Orlando and flexible training options. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers all have steady demand across Central Florida1.

Top Trade Schools in Orlando

The schools below are accredited and offer hands-on training. Program lengths are typical full-time timelines. Always verify current details with each school23.

School Program Length Highlights
Orange Technical College – Mid Florida Campus (Orlando) 4–12 months (600–1350 hrs) HVAC/R, Electricity, Welding, Automotive. Hands-on labs. Public technical college. Council on Occupational Education accreditation. Strong local employer ties2.
Valencia College – Accelerated Skills Training (Orlando) 4–20 weeks bootcamps; 1–2 years for A.S. Welding, Mechatronics, CNC, Industrial Automation. Employer-aligned training. Public college. SACSCOC accredited2.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Orlando 51–75 weeks Automotive and Diesel Technology. Industry partnerships. ACCSC accredited3.
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) – Orlando 48–78 weeks Motorcycle and Marine technician programs. Factory-specific training paths. ACCSC accredited3.
Southern Technical College – Orlando 9–20 months HVAC and Electrical Trades Technology. Day and evening schedules. ACCSC accredited3.
Seminole State College of Florida – Center for Building Construction (Sanford/Lake Mary) 10–24 months HVAC, Welding Technology, Building Construction. Public college, SACSCOC accredited. Short-term certificates and A.S. pathways2.
Osceola Technical College (oTECH) – Kissimmee 10–14 months Welding, Electricity, HVAC/R, Automotive. Public technical college, COE accredited. Strong industry certifications prep2.
Concorde Career Institute – Orlando 8–20 months Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Surgical Technology. Fast-track healthcare trades. ACCSC accredited3.

Tip: Visit each program page for current start dates, required tools, and clinical or externship details. Use College Navigator to confirm accreditation and program listings2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes and commercial buildings. Orlando’s growth in construction, hospitality, and healthcare facilities keeps demand steady1. Training often starts with an electrical program or a registered apprenticeship. Many employers prefer graduates who can read blueprints, bend conduit, and work safely around energized systems4. Learn more paths and certifications in our trade hub: Electrician careers.

  • HVAC/R Technician HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Florida’s climate and nonstop construction create consistent service and install work, plus year-round maintenance contracts1. You will need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants5. See certifications, tools, and career tracks: HVAC careers.

  • Welder Welders join metals for fabrication, construction, and repair. Orlando’s advanced manufacturing, theme park fabrication, and infrastructure projects use welders who can pass bend tests in processes like SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW4. Earning industry credentials improves hiring odds6. Explore processes and test prep: Welding careers.

  • Plumber Plumbers install and repair piping, fixtures, and gas lines. New residential communities and commercial builds keep plumbing contractors busy across Central Florida1. Many start in an apprenticeship or a technical college plumbing program, then work under a licensed contractor. Learn licenses and specialties: Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Florida licenses contractors at the state level. Entry-level technicians usually work under a licensed contractor while they build experience and credentials. Here are the common steps7:

  • Electrician

    • Start as a helper or apprentice with a contractor or registered apprenticeship.
    • Some jurisdictions recognize journeyman status for employment and permitting. Check your local city or county.
    • To run your own business statewide, apply to become a Certified Electrical Contractor through the Florida DBPR Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. Requirements include verified experience, passing the state exam, financial responsibility, and insurance7.
    • Keep up with code changes and continuing education.

  • HVAC/R

    • Get EPA Section 608 certification before working with refrigerants5.
    • Work as a technician under a licensed contractor or enter an apprenticeship.
    • For contracting, apply to the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board as a Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor (unlimited tonnage) or Class B (limited). Requirements include experience or education equivalents, passing the trade and business exams, credit/financial review, and insurance7.

  • Plumbing

    • Many start in a plumbing program or apprenticeship and log supervised hours.
    • To contract, apply to the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board as a Certified Plumbing Contractor. Pass the trade and business exams, document experience, and meet financial and insurance requirements7.

  • Welding

    • Florida does not license welders at the state level for employment. Employers often require weld tests or certifications. Prepare for industry-recognized credentials and performance tests to qualify for structural or pipe work6.
    • Welding contractors who pull permits must hold the appropriate business or specialty contractor licenses where required7.

Helpful notes:

  • Background checks, surety, and liability insurance are common for state contractor licenses.
  • Florida’s licensing is separate for electrical contractors and for construction trades. Verify the correct board and application path before you test7.
  • Many Orlando-area employers partner with technical colleges to interview students before graduation.

Online & Flexible Options

Hands-on trades need in-person labs. Still, many Orlando schools offer flexible schedules:

  • Evening and blended formats are common at Orange Technical College, Southern Technical College, and Seminole State. Theory courses can be online, with labs on campus.
  • UTI and MMI offer day and evening blocks for many programs. Some manufacturer modules use online learning for theory with campus-based skills.
  • Valencia’s Accelerated Skills Training runs short bootcamps with intensive daytime schedules. Ask about upcoming cohorts and employer interviews.

If you need to work while training, ask each school about part-time pacing, evening cohorts, and make-up lab times. Also confirm which industry certifications the program prepares you to take, such as EPA 608 for HVAC or specific welding process tests.

Next Steps

Orlando has strong options for welding, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. Visit campuses, ask about job placement support, and confirm exam prep. Pick the program that matches your schedule, learning style, and long-term license goals.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Construction and Installation Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution profiles): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions: https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. O*NET OnLine, Occupation profiles and tasks: https://www.onetonline.org/ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification: https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  6. NCCER, Credentials and certifications overview: https://www.nccer.org/credentials-certifications/ ↩ ↩

  7. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Licensing for Construction and Electrical Contractors: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.