At ARPEC, we do more than just train you in HVACR, we help you start your career. Unlike other tech or trade schools, we offer job placement for apprentices, allowing you to begin your journey as an HVACR Technician right away. Your success depends on your dedication, and with the experience you gain, you can set and achieve ambitious career goals. Many of our graduates advanced in their careers to become project managers, estimators, CAD designers or even owners of their own companies. In fact, many of the HVACR business owners we work with started their careers at ARPEC.

A day in the work life of an HVACR service technician apprentice might include:

• Working with a seasoned technician to install an HVACR system on a rooftop overlooking downtown Miami.
• Troubleshooting, maintaining and repairing high-tech systems using diagnostic programs on a tablet computer.
• Driving a service van provided by your employer to jobsites all over South Florida interacting directly with customers.

*Helpful tip: It’s important for service technicians to maintain a clean driving record.

Enrolling in ARPEC puts your career on a structured five-year path of advancement. You’ll learn new skills as you progress through the program and you’ll receive increases after completing each year. First year apprentices earn a wage and benefit package totaling approximately $44,000. After completing your introductory year at ARPEC, your compensation package will increase to $60,000. At the end of the fifth year, graduates earn the designation of Journeyperson status and receive an average annual wage of $90,000+ ($125,000+ with excellent benefits).

You’ll go to school two evenings a week, typically 6:30-10:00 p.m. August through May at our campus in Opa Locka. Students enrolled in our accelerated Spring term also attend some classes on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

You’ll attend classes led by experienced tradespeople who will guide you in learning the skills of your craft. Since we provide training exclusively on HVACR service and pipefitting, you can count on receiving relevant training you can put to use on the job immediately.

You’ll participate in interactive classes where our instructors will guide you individually. You’ll join a study group and develop friendships that last well after graduation. You’ll be part of a community that will last throughout your career.

During the day, you’ll receive valuable on-the-job training with employment we’ll arrange for you.

No other local HVACR school provides a full scholarship that provides both classroom training combined with on-the-job experience and guaranteed wages and benefits.

Each ARPEC apprentice receives a scholarship that covers 100% of tuition. Compliance with the terms of the scholarship agreement means you’ll graduate without any tuition debt. In return, you’ll be required to work for one of our affiliated employers who pay to fund your training. Costs for the amount of training, textbooks and computer tablets we provide would be collected if you were to leave the program and work for a non-affiliated employer in the HVACR industry.

Our program includes 1,260 hours of training at ARPEC spread over five years and approximately 8,500 on-the-job work hours. That may seem like a long time, but you’ll find that it goes quickly. The time you spend going through our training program will be the best investment you’ll ever make.

• Office Buildings: Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems for maintaining comfortable work environments.
• Retail Spaces: Climate control for shopping malls, department stores, and individual retail outlets.
• Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Specialized systems for maintaining sterile environments, precise temperature control, and refrigeration for medical storage.
• Data Centers: Cooling systems critical for maintaining the proper operating temperatures of servers and other IT equipment.
• Hotels and Hospitality: HVAC systems for guest comfort, including heating, cooling, air quality control, and refrigeration for kitchen and food storage areas.
• Restaurants and Kitchens: Ventilation and exhaust systems, as well as climate control in dining areas. Includes refrigeration systems for preserving perishable ingredients and prepared foods.
• Manufacturing Facilities: Industrial HVAC and refrigeration systems for controlling temperature, humidity, and air quality in production environments, as well as cold storage for materials.
• Educational Institutions: Climate control for classrooms, laboratories, and other educational spaces. Includes refrigeration systems for cafeterias and scientific labs.
• Airports and Transportation Hubs: Large-scale HVAC systems for passenger comfort in terminals and waiting areas, along with refrigeration for food services and retail spaces.
• Warehouse, Markets and Distribution Centers: Heating and cooling for storage areas and worker comfort, with refrigeration systems for cold storage and perishable goods.
• Laboratories and Clean Rooms: Precision climate control for environments requiring strict air quality and temperature standards, including refrigeration for temperature-sensitive materials.
• Entertainment Venues: HVAC systems in theaters, concert halls, and sports arenas for audience comfort, and refrigeration for concessions and food services.
• Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Heating, cooling, and ventilation in apartment complexes and condominiums, with refrigeration systems in common areas or for communal kitchens.
• Government and Public Buildings: Climate control in courthouses, government offices, and other public facilities, as well as refrigeration for food service areas.
• Greenhouses and Agricultural Facilities: Systems that regulate temperature and humidity for optimal plant growth, including refrigeration for storing harvested crops and produce.