Programs
Not every student is college bound.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t have a rewarding career in an exciting industry where every day is different and challenging. It’s a career path that promises vocationally-inclined students a lucrative career.
About the ARPEC Program
Registered with the State of Florida as an apprenticeship program on October 11, 1949, our program is over 70 years old and still going strong. Our educational ties run deep along with the state of Florida and we are proud of our affiliation with Miami Dade County School Board, the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. This program offers a good career, free tuition, great wages, and health and welfare benefits along with a pension. Are you ready to start your career today? Accepted Applicants will attend our program for five years and upon completion will receive a certification in HVACR. First year apprentices attend school one day per week and work with a contractor the other four days. This works well, as it provides our students with more classroom and hands-on instruction awarding them stronger industry knowledge in their first year. Second to Fifth Year apprentices work five days per week and attend school from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. After each successfully completed year, apprentices will obtain an increase in their salary. The program is divided into two categories; Service and Pipefitting and runs from September to June each year. Over the course of this program, you will accumulate 1260 hours of classroom related instruction and approximately 10,000 hours of on-the-job training making our program truly unique.
Service
Service is repairing and maintaining existing air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. From the smallest to the largest, our 5 year program covers all facets of the Piping and Air Conditioning Industry. The latest in control devices, electronic computer interfacing, energy management, building automation, variable frequency drives and fluid balancing are all covered during the 5 year service program. Service technicians tend to work individually, but can work in teams on projects that entail retrofitting older buildings with new mechanical systems.
Pipefitting
Pipefitting is the construction side of our industry. New building installation and retrofit of piping, air handling equipment, pumps, control devices, chiller plants and cooling towers are all part of the Pipefitting curriculum. From welded to grooved pipe, from the ground to the roof our pipefitting curriculum covers everything related to the cooling, heating and process piping industry. Pipefitters tend to work in teams on larger scale projects.
Women in the Workforce
ARPEC is open to all individuals, both men and women, who are interested in seeking a successful career in the field of air conditioning, refrigeration, and pipefitting.