Applying for a new career and a new school can be an exciting step for candidates eager to embark on a career in skilled trades. You will likely have plenty of questions about what the admissions process involves. We've compiled a list of commonly asked questions to help clarify our program and guide you through the admissions process.
ARPEC is different from other tech schools in several important ways.
Employment placement will be with one of more than 60 of South Florida’s best Mechanical Contracting companies, who are members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of South Florida (MCASF). Founded in 1948, the Mechanical Contractors Association of South Florida represents contractors who build and service heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration and piping systems in the metropolitan areas of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and their suburbs as well as the Florida Keys. MCASF’s contractor members proudly employ the apprentice and journeymen members of Local Union 725. MCASF is proudly affiliated with the MCAA, one of the nation's most respected and influential trade associations in the United States.
Click here to view the MCASF membership directory.
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 in compensation 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 (wage and benefits) 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+ including excellent health and retirement benefits).
Best of all, what you earn stays in your pocket, since you won’t be paying tuition or student loan debt. The opportunity we provided is real, and there are no gimmicks. Click here to learn more.
The air-conditioning, refrigeration and mechanical systems industry is growing and there are countless opportunities to grow along with it. At ARPEC, you can discover a high-paying, rewarding career as an HVAC/R Service Technician. The HVACR industry is the backbone of modern comfort and efficiency, especially in the commercial sector. It’s about more than just air conditioning; it’s a field that keeps entire buildings running smoothly, from hotels to high-rises, restaurants to retail spaces.
Whether you work as an HVAC/R Service Technician, servicing existing equipment, or a Pipefitter, installing piping on a new construction site, you’re diving into a world of advanced technology, where precision and expertise are key. Click here to learn more.
Students enrolled in our HVAC/R Service Technician program learn how to troubleshoot electrical motors, diagnose environmental systems, and manage the installation, maintenance, and repair of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. During your first year, you'll earn your EPA certification, a must-have for working with refrigerants in this field. You’ll advance to learn the latest in control devices, electronic computer interfacing, energy management, building automation, variable frequency drives and fluid balancing.
Students enrolled in our pipefitting program learn how to fabricate metal — including every size of pipe imaginable (some large enough to walk through!) — to form complex piping systems. Your training will cover everything from the basics of air-conditioning theory to the detailed mechanics of cooling and heating systems.
No, industry work experience is not mandated, but having work experience, like that of a pre-apprentice, is viewed positively. For more information, please visit our Employment page.
Start your career with hands-on experience as a pre-apprentice. Are you ready to kickstart your career? We’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you're new to our industry, starting as a pre-apprentice is a great way to build foundational skills and gain valuable experience. As a pre-apprentice, you’ll work closely with seasoned professionals, giving you a deeper understanding of our trade and the opportunity to develop strong references. This experience can significantly enhance your chances of success during the admissions process.
The pre-apprentice role is an introductory employment position, preceding apprenticeship. Pre-apprentice employment provides candidates with exposure to our industry. As a pre-apprentice, you’ll work with experienced tradespeople to learn the skills of your craft. Not only does it give you valuable industry experience, but it shows that you are serious about pursuing a future opportunity as an ARPEC apprentice. It also helps you cultivate relationships with local professionals who can later become references during the application process.
ARPEC is proudly affiliated with Local Union 725, which will provide you with excellent job placement assistance throughout your career. Partnering with more than 60 of South Florida’s best mechanical contractors, Local 725 works to place you in employment that best supports your on-the-job training and enriches your skills and career goals.
People from all backgrounds apply to ARPEC, including many who don’t have prior experience in either HVAC/R or pipefitting. We look for applicants who can demonstrate a strong work ethic, good foundational math and English comprehension, willingness to learn, and a positive attitude. For more information, please visit our Ideal Candidates page.
Advance placement credit in ARPEC’s five-year program is available for qualified individuals. Interested applicants must submit their request in writing along with documentation of previous work and/or educational experience to be considered (applicants must be holders of: OSHA 10, First Aid and CPR certificates, and an EPA Section 608 Universal Certification). An evaluation test based on training and classroom-related instruction for each year will be administered. Applicants must score at least 70% on this test to be considered for a maximum of one year of credit.
Yes. Veterans have many skills that align with the needs of the construction industry, including leadership, strong work ethic, and dedication to completing a mission/project. We encourage any interested veterans and transitioning active-duty military service members to explore the many opportunities offered through the UA’s Veterans in Piping (“VIP”) program or the Helmets to Hardhats program. ARPEC has an established peer group to find ways to better serve our local veterans.
People from all backgrounds apply to ARPEC, including many who don’t have prior experience in either HVAC/R or pipefitting. We look for applicants who can demonstrate a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and a positive attitude. If that’s you, then let’s get started! If you are a woman considering working in the trade, we welcome your participation and we encourage you to visit our Women in the Industry page.
ARPEC is fully compliant with the requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (“EEOC”) and will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on any EEOC covered status, including (but not limited to) race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), or disability (subject to meeting physical abilities requirements) or a person 40 years old or older. ARPEC will take reasonable action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and operates the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.
If your admissions status is deemed “conditional” or “provisional” that simply means that there are additional requirements you must comply with, including passing our drug screening and participating in our physical aptitude test, before becoming an enrolled apprentice.
In addition to what is required of conditionally accepted applicants, provisionally accepted candidates may be accepted as an alternate or may be required to obtain employment as a pre-apprentice prior to the start of the school term.
Common reasons for not advancing through the admissions process include failure to submit required documentation, not showing up for interviews, inability to speak or comprehend English during the in-person interview, failing the physical abilities test, previous disciplinary issues, or not meeting program-specific requirements. Other considerations may include a driving record with a substantial number of infractions.
While not being accepted can be disappointing, we encourage candidates to use our feedback to improve and consider reapplying in the future.
ARPEC has established a drug-free policy to ensure a safe environment for our students and employees. As part of this commitment, all applicants must pass a drug screening test. Refusal to participate in the test or a positive result will result in the applicant’s rejection. Screening tests may be conducted at any point during the admissions process.
Don’t be discouraged. Many successful apprentices applied multiple times before they were accepted. We’re only able to accept a limited number of candidates each term. We encourage you to continue to apply again, and seek employment as a pre-apprentice working for one of our affiliated employers.
Working as a pre-apprentice for one of our affiliated employers can be an important first step. As a pre-apprentice, you’ll work with experienced tradespeople to learn the skills of your craft. Not only does this give you valuable industry experience, but it also shows that you’re serious about pursuing a future opportunity as an ARPEC apprentice. Working as a pre-apprentice also helps cultivate relationships with local professionals who can later become references during the application process. Visit our Employment page to learn more.
When you're ready to apply and have gathered all the required documents you’ll need to submit your application in person at ARPEC, which is located at 13201 NW 45th Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054. Applications can be submitted between 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please plan to arrive no later than one hour prior to closing to allow time to complete your application
Yes, when you apply in person you will need to pay a non-refundable application processing fee of $60, which is payable by credit card.
Click here to visit our admissions process page for a list of required materials.
To get ready, make a list of the details of your employment history, including the dates for each job you've held, and gather up the other required documents. For a complete list of required documents, please visit our Admissions Process page, and gather the documents that apply to you.
You can apply for ARPEC year-round. Our next term for newly accepted apprentices begins August 2025. The deadline to apply for that class is April 25, 2025.
Here are three ways that may improve your success as you proceed through the admissions process:
APREC considers factors like your entrance exam scores, high school GPA, relevant industry experience, industry-related certifications, and, where applicable, an honorable discharge from the U.S. military service.
Every interview cycle, we encounter numerous candidates who tell us they are satisfied with their entrance exam scores, even though they’ve barely met the minimum requirement. "Getting by" does not create the most favorable impression; we encourage you to always aim for your highest possible score and give each assignment, whether at school or on the job, your very best effort.
English comprehension and math skills are fundamental to success in the field. English comprehension is essential for understanding training materials included in student textbooks, technical manuals, safety guidelines, and communicating effectively with instructors, peers and supervisors. Math skills are crucial for calculations related to system design, sizing, load calculations, and troubleshooting. ARPEC will provide apprentices with training on each of these concepts, and the mathematical formulas applicable to them. Demonstrating proficiency in mathematics (including geometry) ensures that students can grasp the industry related complex concepts, follow precise instructions, and solve problems efficiently, all of which are daily demands in the HVAC/R industry.
Simply put, there are certain physical requirements candidates must have to be able to perform industry work. ARPEC’s training program includes on-the-job training, which requires employment with one of the contractors who fund the program. Because of that work component, each candidate will be required to demonstrate that they can physically perform the work of the trade; for example, climbing a ladder, bending to reach tools or differentiating between red or green wires. Candidates either pass, by demonstrating they can perform routine trade-related activities, or fail if they cannot reasonably complete these activities. No score is assessed.
Each ARPEC apprentice receives a scholarship that covers 100% of tuition, books and tablets. 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 will be collected from you if you were to leave the program and work for a non-affiliated employer in the HVAC/R industry.
No other local HVAC/R school provides a full scholarship that provides both classroom training combined with on-the-job experience and guaranteed wages and benefits.
Graduation in our program means that students have successfully completed all required components, including advancing through each year of classroom studies, fulfilling the necessary on-the-job training, and obtaining their journeyman license. Upon graduation, students earn the prestigious title of "Journeyman," which entitles them to a wage and benefits package negotiated by Local Union 725. Journeymen are recognized as highly skilled professionals in the mechanical contracting trade.
Our challenging program integrates intensive classroom learning with a full-time work schedule. Students are evaluated through exams, midterms, and practical shop demonstrations where they show their skills in areas such as troubleshooting, brazing, or welding. Students in the first year of the program are expelled if they fail to obtain a passing grade by the end of each semester. Students in the second through fifth year of program have one opportunity to retake a year of studies and obtain a passing grade. Although our program is challenging, the course objectives are fair and reasonable but do require students to devote time to learning the material covered in class. Each year, we talk with many students who indicate that they regret not taking their studies seriously enough.
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.
Our state-of-the-art training facility is designed to immerse apprentices in a real-world learning environment equipped with the latest technology and tools that mirror what you’ll encounter in the field. Our expansive workshops are stocked with cutting-edge HVAC/R refrigeration systems and pipefitting fabrication machines, which enable extensive hands-on training with industry-standard equipment. We’ve invested in custom-built trainers that simulate real-world scenarios, allowing you to master complex systems in a controlled environment. This high-tech facility ensures that every apprentice is not only prepared but excels in their craft, providing the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the trade.
Best of all, your studies as an apprentice are just the beginning. Our graduates have access to free training throughout their careers, ensuring they can continuously develop and become specialists in various high-demand areas.
Yes, we welcome visitors. Please visit our tour the campus page to learn more.
The heart of our program is our exceptional group of instructors—each an industry expert and proud ARPEC graduate. These highly skilled professionals bring an impressive depth of knowledge in the HVAC/R and pipefitting trade, leading not only the apprenticeship training but also providing ongoing continuing education classes for journeymen. These classes, offered at no charge, are available throughout their careers, ensuring that journeymen stay at the cutting edge of the industry.
As an apprentice, you’ll dive into a variety of hands-on projects that build your expertise in the trade. Expect ample shop time fabricating, welding, and assembling systems, alongside brazing, soldering, and mastering layout techniques. You’ll use hand tools to diagnose and troubleshoot real-world challenges, constructing solutions that prepare you for the field. Our skilled instructors guide you through these practical experiences, ensuring you gain the confidence and versatility to excel in your career. Best of all, you’ll apply these skills on the job.
At ARPEC, we provide all the tools you’ll need for on-campus training, so you can focus on learning. As you gain experience and skills on the job, you’ll need some personal hand tools for service or maintenance work. Employers supply larger tools like welding torches, power equipment, vises, and instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, and voltage. As your abilities grow, your employer will equip you with the tools you need to work safely and effectively.
Phone: 305-685-0311
Email: info@arpec.org
Text: Send SMS Message to 305-685-0311
