Best Trade Schools in South Daytona, Florida (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in South Daytona. This guide compares accredited options near you, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Florida licensing steps. Use it to pick a fast, affordable program and move straight into work. Most programs below finish in a year or less and prepare you for entry-level certifications and apprenticeships[^1][^2][^3].

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Top Trade Schools in South Daytona

Name	Program Length	Highlights
Daytona State College (Daytona Beach)	8–24 months certificates; 2-year A.S. options	Public, regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Hands-on labs for HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Automotive Service, Building/Construction, Electrical, Cosmetology. Strong ties with Volusia employers. Night and day schedules available[^2].
Florida Technical College – DeLand	9–18 months diplomas/associate	ACCSC-accredited. HVAC/R, Welding, Electrical, Medical Assistant. Blended learning with block scheduling. Preps for EPA 608 and entry-level NCCER modules[^3].
Daytona College (Ormond Beach)	9–18 months diplomas/associate	ACCSC-accredited. Cosmetology, Barbering, Medical Assistant, Skin care and spa. Small class sizes; exam prep for Florida cosmetology boards[^3][^2].
Flagler Technical College (Palm Coast)	10–12 months career certificates	COE-accredited. Welding Technology, Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, CDL. Employer-aligned credentials and day/evening options[^6][^2].
Universal Technical Institute – Orlando	11–18 months certificates	ACCSC-accredited. Automotive and Diesel Technology with manufacturer-aligned curriculum. Industry tools, strong placement support[^3].
Orange Technical College – Mid Florida Campus (Orlando)	10–14 months career certificates	COE-accredited. HVAC/R, Electrical, Welding, Plumbing. NCCER-aligned curriculum with night options and apprenticeship connections[^6].
First Coast Technical College (St. Augustine)	10–18 months career certificates	COE-accredited. Welding, HVAC/R, Automotive, Diesel, Culinary. Hands-on shops; industry certifications built in[^6][^2].

Tip: Tour labs and ask about tool lists, certification pass rates, and employer partnerships before you enroll. Verify institutional accreditation through ACCSC, COE, or regional accreditors, and check program approvals where required[^2][^3][^6].

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician Florida’s construction and service sectors continue to add electrician jobs with steady replacement needs. Apprenticeships lead to journeyman roles and contracting careers. Overtime and project work can boost pay. Growth is supported by residential builds, commercial TI, solar, and EV infrastructure[^1].

• HVAC/R Technician Air conditioning is essential in Central Florida. Demand rises in summer, creating strong entry-level openings. EPA 608 is required to handle refrigerants. Technicians with brazing skills, digital controls knowledge, and customer service do well[^1][^5].

• Welder Fabrication, marine repair, construction, and manufacturing around Volusia and Flagler counties all use welders. Structural, pipe, and TIG skills improve job options. AWS code-test readiness is a plus[^1].

• Plumber Service plumbing, new construction, and remodel work are steady. Apprenticeship, backflow testing, and gas-fitting add value. Contractor licensure opens supervisory and business ownership paths[^1].

BLS projects continued demand for these trades through 2032 in Florida, driven by population growth, construction activity, and replacement needs[^1].

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; national data shown when state medians are unavailable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. State data (Florida) shown where available; national OEWS values used when state data is unavailable. Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Use these steps as a roadmap. Always verify current rules with the state board and your local jurisdiction.

• Electricians

  • For journeyman: Florida does not issue a statewide journeyman license. Many counties and cities do. Complete an approved apprenticeship (typically 4 years/8,000 hours) and pass the local journeyman exam where required. Check Volusia County Contractor Licensing for local requirements[^7].
  • For contractor (to run a business/pull permits): Apply with the Florida DBPR Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board as a Certified Electrical Contractor (statewide) or Registered Electrical Contractor (local). Requirements include experience, financial responsibility, background check, and passing the state exam[^4].

• HVAC/R (Air Conditioning)

  • Technicians must hold EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants[^5].
  • To contract independently/pull permits: Get licensed by the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board as a Class A (unlimited) or Class B (up to 25 tons cooling/500,000 BTU heating) Air Conditioning Contractor. Requires experience (often 4 years or a mix of education/experience), exam, and financial credentials[^4].

• Plumbers

  • Many jurisdictions offer journeyman plumber licensing via apprenticeship and a local exam. Verify with Volusia County or the city where you’ll work[^7].
  • For statewide practice as a contractor: Apply with DBPR CILB as a Certified or Registered Plumbing Contractor. Meet experience requirements and pass the exam[^4].

• Welders

  • No state license. Employers and projects require performance qualifications such as AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX. Many schools include weld test prep or on-site testing. NCCER welding credentials are widely recognized by contractors[^8].

Keep your records. Save proof of hours, W-2s, affidavits, and course certificates. You’ll need them for applications and exams.

Online & Flexible Options

• Blended programs: Several local schools deliver lecture online with in-person labs for welding, HVAC, automotive, and electrical. Ask Daytona State College, Florida Technical College, and Orange Technical College about hybrid sections.
• Night and weekend cohorts: Public technical colleges commonly run evening schedules for working adults. This is useful for apprentices who need classroom hours after work.
• Short industry certs: EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, NCCER Core, and CPR/First Aid can often be completed in days or weeks. These stack well with longer programs and improve job readiness[^5][^8].
• Apprenticeships: Many employers partner with schools and trade associations. Apprentices earn while they learn and build hours toward journeyman or contractor qualifications. Look for NCCER-aligned programs and employer sponsorships[^8].

Next Steps

• Compare statewide options: Visit the Florida hub to see more schools and cities: /trade-school/florida/
• Explore trades:
  • Electrician: /trades/electrician
  • HVAC/R: /trades/hvac
  • Welding: /trades/welding
  • Plumbing: /trades/plumbing
• Learn how to choose a program, prep for exams, and find apprenticeships in our guides: /guides/
• Browse all trade paths: /trades/
• If you’re just starting, scan our main school hub for quick comparisons: /trade-school/

Visit campuses, confirm accreditation, and ask about placement help and certification pass rates. With the right program, you can start a skilled career in South Daytona in under a year.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and Employment Projections for construction and installation trades. [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator institutional profiles for accreditation and program offerings. [^3]: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), directory of accredited institutions. [^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]: Council on Occupational Education (COE), accredited institutions list. [^7]: Volusia County Contractor Licensing, local journeyman and contractor registration requirements. [^8]: NCCER, industry-recognized construction craft credentials.