About Us
Making the Difference
ARPEC
Earn While You Earn
Established over 70 years ago
ARPEC has deep educational roots in the state of Florida. The first ARPEC education center was registered with the state as an apprenticeship program on October 11, 1949. Since then, we have continued to lead as one of the most highly regarded apprenticeship programs in the state of Florida.
The ARPEC Advantage
They make a great living with an hourly wage that increases every year they’re in the 5 year apprenticeship program. Full health benefits are added after just the first year, and retirement benefits added in the fourth year. Upon graduation, and obtaining the journeyman license, apprentices become a craft journeymen with a starting wage and fringe benefit package ranging from $70,000 to $100,000 per year! Students are taught welding, air conditioning technology, piping, refrigeration controls, electrical theory – and graduate ready for a career in the high-tech fields of service and installation, energy management systems, pipefitting, and more. They will learn from the best craftspeople in the industry, in the best training program. It’s the training program designed by the United Association – one of the largest and most prestigious trade unions in the country.
ARPEC graduates are ready to work in hospitals, laboratories, in large hotels or business offices –anywhere there’s a cooling or refrigeration system. It’s more than a job, it’s a career – a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.
Affiliations
We are proud of our continued affiliation with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the Mechanical Contractors Association of South Florida, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America and the Mechanical Service Contractors of America.
Education Board of Trustees
The Education Committee is made up of Labor and Management representatives who meet once a month with the Director regarding the operations of the school. They are committed along with the Director in making sure the Education Center offers the best quality of education in this industry.
| Member Name | Company | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Mueller, Chairman | Hill York Service Corporation | Co-Chairman Labor Trustee |
| Bob Heslekrants | Nagelbush Mechanical Inc | Labor Trustee |
| Tom Flavell | UA Pipefitters Local 725 | Labor Trustee |
| Kenny Scott | UA Pipefitters Local 725 | Labor Trustee |
| Chris Figueras | Evo-Air | Co-Chairman Management Trustee |
| Daniel Llosent | Airtech | Management Trustee |
| Julie Dietrich | MCASF | Management Trustee |
| Jose Ponce | Poole & Kent Co. | Management Trustee |
Administrative Staff
The Director and staff are available to assist you in getting your career started. Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and Fridays, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. If you have any questions regarding the apprenticeship program please contact us during these hours or you may email any of the personnel listed below:
| Jason Hebbert | Training Coordinator | jason@arpec.org |
| Edmund Hunte | Facility Personnel | e.hunte@arpec.org |
| Monica Lopez | Administrative Assistant | monica@arpec.org |
| Margie Pinzon | Administrative Assistant | m.pinzon@arpec.org |
Current ARPEC faculty
Many of our instructors attended and graduated from our program at one time or another. Others have come from other Unions from around the country. They all bring many years of experience and are committed to educating our apprentices to the fullest.
All 2nd to 5th Year classes are taught from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm two nights per week, Monday to Thursday. The first year apprentices attend school one day per week and work 32 hours per week.
Below is the list of teachers and classes given for the five year apprenticeship program:
| INSTRUCTOR | PROGRAM YEAR | CURRICULUM |
|---|---|---|
| Hector Rivera | 1st Year: Service | Service Related & Applied Science Basic Pipefitting & Trade Related Math |
| Victor Silverman | 2nd Year: Service | HVACR II |
| Craig Ponton/Luis Campos | 2nd Year: Service | Basic Electricity |
| Hector Rivera | 2nd Year: Pipefitting | Rigging I/Welding I |
| Kenneth Appollo | 2nd Year: Pipefitting | Pipefitting II |
| Carlos Vargas | 3rd Year: Service | Advance HVACR Service |
| Josue Labrador | 3rd Year: Service | Electric & Pneumatic Controls |
| Hector Rivera | 3rd Year: Pipefitting | FL Mechanical Code (First Semester) |
| George Byers | 3rd Year Pipefitting | Welding II |
| Mike Didona | 3rd Year: Pipefitting | HVAC Hydroning Heating & Cooling |
| Tony Lopez | 4th Year: Service | VFD’s & DDC Controls |
| Victor Soto | 4th Year: Service | Pumps, Hydronics & Start Test and Balance |
| Kevin Bashansci | 4th Year: Pipefitting | Pipefitting III |
| Mike Didona | 4th Year: Pipefitting | Welding II |
| Robert Martin | 5th Year: Service | Industrial Electricity |
| William Young | 5th Year: Service | Industrial Air-Conditioning |
| Brian Coile | 5th Year: Pipefitting | Pipefitting II |
| Kishon Dryden | 5th Year: Pipefitting | 5th Year Advanced Welding |
Our Signatory Contractors
Our contractors have been affiliated with Local Union 725 for many years and are among the finest companies in the industry. They are committed along with the school in providing the best training and service in South Florida.
| CONTRACTOR NAME | STREET | CITY | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABM BUILDING SOLUTIONS | 3260 NW 23 AVE | POMPANO BEACH | 33069 |
| A-TEAM ENERGY SERVICES, INC. | 13083 SW 133 COURT | MIAMI | 33186 |
| ADVANCED INTEGRATED SERVICES | 4700 S.W. 51 STREET, #206 | DAVIE | 33314 |
| ADVANCED MECHANICAL SYSTEM | 11903 W. SAMPLE ROAD | CORAL SPRINGS | 33065 |
| AIR CONDITIONING PLUS, INC. | 8001 GRAND CANAL DRIVE | MIAMI | 33144 |
| AIR LOGIC ENTERPRISES INC | 8202 NW 91 TERR | TAMARAC | 33326 |
| AIRMATIC CONTROLS, INC. | 10220 W. ST. RD 84, #1 | DAVIE | 33324 |
| AIRREO AIR CONDITIONING, INC. | 2181 S.W. 58 TERRACE | WEST PARK | 33023 |
| AIRSTRON, INC. | 1559 S.W. 21 AVE. | FT. LAUDERDALE | 33312 |
| AIR-WAYS MECHANICAL | 5011 NW 37 AVE | TAMARAC | 33309 |
| APEX AIR, INC. | 209 NW 1 AVE | DANIA | 33004 |
| APPRENTICESHIP SCHOOL | 13201 N.W. 45 AVE. | OPA-LOCKA | 33054 |
| BREEZE AIR CONDITIONING, INC. | 9901 S.W.195 STREET | CUTLER BAY | 33157 |
| BROPHY AIR SPECIALTY GRP | 2950 SW 28 LANE | MIAMI | 33133 |
| CAILIS MECHANICAL CORPORATION | 10400 W SR 84 BAY 112 | DAVIE | 33324 |
| CARRIER COMMERCIAL SERVICE | 5440 N.W. 33 AVE. #108 | FORT LAUDERDALE | 33309 |
| CEPAC AIR CORP | 5595 MUIRFIELD VILLAGE CIR | LAKE WORTH | 33463 |
| CLARK CONTRACTSOLUTIONS/FORAIR | 13701 S.W.143 CT., #101 | MIAMI | 33186 |
| COAKLEY MECHANICAL, INC. | 13682 S.W.194 STREET | MIAMI | 33177 |
| COASTLINE ENERGY SYSTEMS | 10130 NORTHLAKE BLVD.,#214-314 | WEST PALM BEACH | 33412 |
| COLDFRONT MECHANICAL INC. | 10860 S.W. 88 AVE. | MIAMI | 33176 |
| COOL BREEZE AIR COND CORP | 13120 SW130 TERRACE | MIAMI | 33186 |
| COOL WATER AIR COND, INC. | 5716 N.E. 4 AVE. | MIAMI | 33137 |
| COPASETIC MECHANICAL, L.L.C. | 21225 SW 183 AVE. | MIAMI | 33187 |
| DAIKIN APPLIED | 15712 S.W. 41 STR., #6 | DAVIE | 33331 |
| DAY & ZIMMERMAN NPS, INC. | 1827 FREEDOM ROAD STE 101 | LANCASTER | 17601 |
| DEBONAIR MECHANICAL, INC. | 13972 NW 60 AVE | MIAMI LAKES | 33014 |
| DIPLOMAT PROPERTIES L.P. | 3555 SOUTH OCEAN DRIVE | HOLLYWOOD BEACH | 33019 |
| DIRECT DIGITAL CONCEPTS | 7275 N.W. 74 STREET | MIAMI | 33166 |
| EARL HAGOOD, INC. | 897 S.W. 67 AVENUE | MIAMI | 33144 |
| EDD HELMS AIRCONDITIONING,INC. | 740 INTERNATIONAL PKWY. | SUNRISE | 33325 |
| HILL YORK SERVICE CORP. | 2125 S. ANDREWS AVE. | FT. LAUDERDALE | 33316 |
| HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC. | 9315 N.W. 112 AVE. | MIAMI | 33178 |
| JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC. | 15901 SW 29 ST #801 | MIRAMAR | 33027 |
| KAESTLE ENT.,INC. DBA CAMECH. | 6601 LYONS ROAD, #C-7 | COCONUT CREEK | 33073 |
| KERNEY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | 1300 NW 65 PLACE | FT. LAUDERDALE | 33309 |
| KIRLIN FLORIDA, L.L.C. | 3125 W COMMERCIAL BLVD. #200 | FT LAUDERDALE | 33309 |
| LINC MECHANICAL / ABM BLDG SOL | 3260 NW 23 AVE STE 100E | POMPANO BEACH | 33066 |
| MCGILVRAY MECHANICAL, L.L.C. | 2001 N. ANDREWS AVE. | POMPANO BEACH | 33069 |
| MIAMI AIR MECH. DBA AIRTECH | 7805 N.W. 55 STREET | MIAMI | 33166 |
| NAGELBUSH MECHANICAL, INC. | 5101 NW 21 AVE #210 | FORT LAUDERDALE | 33309 |
| PLUMBING & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS | 4360 OAKES RD #B615 | DAVIE | 33314 |
| POOLE & KENT COMPANY | 1781 N.W. NORTH RIVER DRIVE | MIAMI | 33125 |
| PROTOCOOL COOLING SOLUTIONS | 1669 N.W. 144 TERR., #203 | SUNRISE | 33323 |
| PYKE MECHANICAL, INC. | 9401 N.W. 106 STR. #109 | MIAMI | 33178 |
| SCREEN TECH SERVICES INC. | 1067 NW 31 AVE BLDG #H | POMPANO BEACH | 33069 |
| SHORELINE AIR SYSTEMS, INC. | 3801 N.W. 49 STREET | FT. LAUDERDALE | 33309 |
| SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC. | 3021 N. COMMERCE PKWY. | MIRAMAR | 33025 |
| SMART AIR SYSTEMS, INC. | 1731 BANKS ROAD | MARGATE | 33063 |
| SOUTHEASTERN CHILLER OF MIAMI | 3800 N.W. 126 AVE. | CORAL SPRINGS | 33065 |
| SOUTHERN MECH. SYSTEMS, INC. | 15491 SW 12 STREET #409 | SUNRISE | 33326 |
| STERLING REFRIGERATION, INC. | 3101 DOGWOOD LANE | MARGATE | 33063 |
| THERMO AIR SERVICE, INC. | 2875 NORTH 29 AVE. | HOLLYWOOD | 33020 |
| TRANE U.S., INC. | 2884 CORPORATE WAY | MIRAMAR | 33025 |
| TRINITY AIR CONDITIONING | 9760 E. INDIGO STREET | MIAMI | 33157 |
| UNION TEMPORARY SERVICES | P. O. BOX 813847 | HOLLYWOOD | 33081 |
| WEATHERTROL MAINTENANCE CORP. | 7250 N.E. 4 AVENUE | MIAMI | 33138 |
| CLIMATE PROS, INC. | 55 N. BRANDON DRIVE | GLENDALE HEIGHTS | 60139 |
| BROPHY AIR SPECIALTY GROUP LLC | 2950 SW 28 LANE | MIAMI | 33133 |
| A/C COOLING PROJECTS, INC. | 330 POINCIANA DRIVE | SUNNY ISLES | 33160 |
| AIR-WAYS MECHANICAL SERVICES | 5011 NW 37 AVE | TAMARAC | 33309 |