WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

Counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter

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NOTES ON ACCREDITATION & APPRENTICESHIP REGISTRATION

• Registered Apprenticeship programs are those that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and Florida Department of Education, ensuring national standards for training and credentials.
• Technical certificate programs (like those at colleges/tech schools) prepare students for industry credentials and may complement apprenticeships, but do not on their own constitute a registered apprenticeship unless explicitly paired with employer sponsor training.

Citrus County

(Note: Citrus doesn’t have many local standalone programs; many county residents enroll in regional programs in nearby counties.)

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

(Residents can also contact the Florida Department of Education apprenticeship office for the Tampa Metro region — which includes Citrus — for referral to registered apprenticeships in plumbing/HVACR.)

Hernando County

Suncoast Technical Education Center (STEC) – Brooksville, FL

• Public technical education partner offering workforce programs; check with STEC for HVAC or construction-related classes that may feed into apprenticeships. Accredited career and technical training.
• Contact: 352.544.2235 (Hernando County School District main line)

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

Hernando residents commonly attend programs in Hillsborough, Pasco, or Citrus-adjacent regions.

Hillsborough County

Hillsborough College Apprenticeship Programs – Hillsborough College (HC) / Tampa, FL

• Registered HVACR Technician Apprenticeship: ~720 clock hours of classroom instruction plus on-the-job training with sponsoring employers.
• Registered Plumber Apprenticeship: Similar setup for plumbing trades.
• Contact: Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter) — Phone: 813.879.8064 · Email: apprenticeship@abcflgulf.org

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

Erwin Technical College – Tampa, FL

• Public vocational school offering construction-related programs; contact for HVACR classroom courses that support apprenticeship eligibility.
• Contact: 813.272.5171

RACCA – Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association Apprenticeship Program

Tampa Bay Area (serves Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas) A respected 4 year HVAC apprenticeship program for residential and light commercial installer/servicer roles. Apprentices work full time while attending night classes twice weekly (Sept–March). Source:

Contact:

• Website: https://www.racca-florida.org/apprenticeship/
• Classes held evenings; employer sponsorship required.

Southern Technical College

• Description: The HVAC Diploma Program is designed to be completed in 10 months. Hands-on training provides a foundation of knowledge preparing students to install and service residential and light commercial air conditioning and heating systems.
• Contact: 608 E. Bloomingdale Avenue, Brandon, FL 33511 • 813.654.8800 • https://www.southerntech.edu/locations/brandon/

Pasco County

F.K. Marchman Technical College (Pasco Technical College – Marchman Campus) – New Port Richey, FL

• Vocational technical college offering HVAC/R and related construction trade programs that prepare students for apprenticeships or employment.
• Contact: 727.774.1700

Pasco HVAC/R Program – Fred K. Marchman Technical College

• Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration program with classroom and shop instruction; prepares for entry-level HVACR roles.
• Contact: Kim Dunn, Admissions Advisor – kdunn@pasco.k12.fl.us · 727.774.1703

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

Pinellas County

Pinellas Association of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors Apprenticeship Program

• Registered apprenticeship specific to plumbing and HVAC trades (listed in FL DOE apprenticeship registry).
• Contact through Pinellas technical college partners or association members (typically coordinated with technical schools like Pinellas Technical College).

RACCA (Residential Air Conditioning Contractors Association) Apprenticeship Program

• HVAC apprenticeship in partnership with Pinellas Technical College (Clearwater); 4-year program blending classroom, employer-sponsored training, and practical experience.
• Phone: 813.253.9859 · Email: apprenticeship@racca-florida.org

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

Pasco/Pasco-Pinellas Technical Schools

• Technical education programs in HVACR and related trades are offered; contact Pinellas County schools for current class listings and apprenticeship pathways.

Polk County

Polk Technical Colleges (Traviss Technical College & Ridge Technical College) – Polk County, FL

• Plumbing Program: Prepares students for entry-level plumbing helper/apprentice roles with classroom and lab training.
• HVAC/R Program: Prepares students for employment as HVAC/R technicians with hands-on instruction.
• Contact: Traviss Technical College – 863.499.2700

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

Sumter County

Sumter County Schools Adult Education – HVAC Program – Wildwood, FL

• Industry-recognized HVAC certification training through adult education; prepares students for entry-level HVACR work and may support apprenticeship qualification.
• Contact: Sumter Adult Education – 352.793.5719

United Association Local 123 – Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC-R Apprenticeship

• Description: Union-sponsored 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom and on-the-job training for plumbing and HVACR trades. Serves Citrus County along with other West Central Florida areas.
• Contact: 813.636.0123

Statewide/Online Apprenticeship Resources

(Applicable in all counties, though apprentices must confirm local acceptance)

PHCC Academy® – Online HVACR & Plumbing Apprenticeship Courses

• Online apprentice-level related technical instruction recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor (must be paired with on-the-job training via a participating employer).
• Contact: Visit PHCC Academy site or local Florida PHCC chapter for enrollment.

Florida Training Services – HVAC Apprenticeship

• Statewide program with partnerships across Florida Registered with the Florida Department of Workforce Education and Atlantic Technical College. Provides broad HVAC education including piping, soldering, brazing, refrigerant handling, and OSHA safety.
• Contact: https://floridatrainingservices.com/fts-hvac-apprenticeship/

Notes & Tips for Apprenticeship Seekers and Students

• Florida registered apprenticeships combine structured classroom instruction with paid on-the-job learning and are overseen by the Florida Department of Education and US Dept. of Labor.
• CareerSource centers in the region (e.g., CareerSource Suncoast) and the Florida DOE Apprenticeship Office serving your county can help connect job seekers with local registered apprenticeship opportunities.
• Some training programs (e.g., adult education HVAC/plumbing courses) prepare students to enter apprenticeships or placement with employers even if they aren’t registered apprenticeships themselves.