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

Here are the best schools in South Miami. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, understand Florida licensing, and see which trades are in demand in Miami-Dade. If you are a high school grad or a career changer, these schools offer fast, job-focused training with strong local employer ties[^1][^2].

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Top Trade Schools in South Miami

Below are accredited options within South Miami or a short drive in Miami-Dade County. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each catalog for exact hours and start dates.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

• New housing, commercial retrofits, and solar projects in South Florida support steady demand for electricians[^1]. Entry starts with a pre-apprenticeship or a certificate in electricity. Many tech colleges listed above align with local apprenticeships.

HVAC/R

• Miami’s year-round cooling needs keep HVAC technicians busy. Employers value EPA 608 certification, clean driving records, and customer service skills. Experienced techs can move into Class A contractor licensing and business ownership[^1].

Welding

• Welding supports construction, ship repair at PortMiami, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects. Training programs emphasize safety, blueprint reading, and processes like SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. AWS certifications help you specialize and boost pay[^1].

Plumbing

• Plumbers are needed for residential service, high-rise construction, and medical gas systems. Miami-Dade also uses journeyman cards for county-level work. Contractor licensing is at the state level when you are ready to run projects or a business[^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

Electrician

• Regulator: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB)[^4].
• Path:
  • Start in an approved electrical program or registered apprenticeship.
  • Accumulate about 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience to qualify for contractor exams.
  • Pass the Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) exam to work statewide, or the Registered (ER) route tied to local jurisdictions.
  • Provide fingerprints, financial responsibility, insurance, and apply through DBPR.
  • Miami-Dade issues journeyman and master electrician cards for local employment and permitting levels[^6].
• See the trade overview: Electrician.

HVAC

• Regulator: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)[^5].
• Path:
  • Complete HVAC/R training and earn EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerants[^7].
  • Gain 4 years of experience (some education can substitute) to sit for contractor exams.
  • Choose Class A (unlimited), Class B (limited capacity), or Class C (service) contractor license.
  • Submit exam results, experience, financials, and insurance to DBPR.
  • Many techs work under a licensed contractor while they build hours.
• Explore the trade: HVAC.

Plumbing

• Regulator: Florida DBPR, CILB[^5].
• Path:
  • Train in a plumbing certificate or apprenticeship.
  • Gain 4 years of experience to qualify for the Certified Plumbing Contractor exam.
  • Pass the exam, meet financial and insurance requirements, and apply to DBPR.
  • Miami-Dade offers journeyman and master plumber licensing for local work[^6].
• Learn more: Plumbing.

Welding

• No state license required.
• Employers often require AWS certifications (such as D1.1 structural steel). Some jobs may require testing at a Miami-Dade–approved facility. Ports or industrial sites may require additional safety cards or TWIC credentials as applicable.
• Get started: Welding.

Other common credentials

• OSHA 10/30 for safety.
• NCCER Core and craft modules for construction trades where offered.
• FAA A&P for aviation maintenance at George T. Baker.

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid schedules: Many Miami-Dade technical colleges and ACCSC-accredited schools run day and evening cohorts. Theory is often available online, with labs held on campus.
• General education online: Miami Dade College offers online Gen Ed courses that can shorten time on campus for associate programs.
• Certification prep: EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, and some NCCER Core theory can be studied online. Hands-on practice and proctored exams are still required.
• Working adults: Ask about part-time pacing, weekend labs, make-up hours, and employer partnerships that allow paid training.

Next Steps

• Compare programs across Florida: visit the Florida trade school hub.
• Explore all trades, salaries, and certifications: go to the Trades hub.
• New to training? See our Apprenticeships Guide
• Or start at the national hub: Trade Schools.

South Miami has practical options for quick, skills-based careers. Tour campuses, ask about placement and certifications, and choose a schedule you can finish.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians; HVAC Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters; Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ [^3]: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Schools Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/index.aspx [^4]: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/electrical-contractors/ [^5]: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ [^6]: Miami-Dade County, Trade Licenses and Journeyman Cards. https://www.miamidade.gov/permits/trade-licenses.asp [^7]: U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-fact-sheet