UA Local 123 – HVAC-R Technician Apprenticeship
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in Florida / UA Local 123 – HVAC-R Technician Apprenticeship
UA Local 123 – HVAC-R Technician Apprenticeship (Dover, FL)
Program Information
The UA Local 123 HVAC-R Technician Apprenticeship provides comprehensive training for individuals pursuing careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. HVAC-R technicians are essential to the installation, repair, and maintenance of systems used across residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial environments. This apprenticeship prepares students to work on all sizes of heating and cooling equipment, from small residential units to complex industrial chillers, refrigeration systems, and advanced climate control technologies found in hospitals, schools, manufacturing facilities, and modern commercial buildings.
Apprentices gain hands-on experience installing complete HVAC systems, including ductwork, refrigerant lines, thermostatic controls, ventilation systems, and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Training covers gas piping installation, high-voltage electrical components, system start-up procedures, troubleshooting, and performance testing. Students learn to diagnose airflow issues, measure system performance, identify refrigerant leaks, test combustion safety, and analyze mechanical and electrical faults. They also become familiar with the operation of heat pumps, boilers, rooftop units, split systems, packaged units, VRF/VRV systems, and commercial refrigeration equipment.
The UA Local 123 Training Center provides industry-standard labs equipped with working HVAC-R systems, electrical training stations, gas piping setups, and full-scale mechanical installations. Apprentices receive in-depth classroom instruction covering HVAC theory, thermodynamics, refrigeration cycles, electrical fundamentals, building codes, blueprint interpretation, EPA 608 requirements, and safety regulations. Instructors are experienced technicians and UA-certified educators who ensure students can apply classroom knowledge to real-world jobsite conditions.
Field experience is a core component of the apprenticeship. Under the supervision of experienced journeymen, apprentices perform tasks such as fabricating and connecting ductwork, wiring control panels, brazing and soldering copper tubing, configuring thermostats, checking refrigerant charge, performing system evacuation, and installing gas-fired heating equipment. They also learn preventive maintenance procedures, seasonal system preparation, and how to service specialized mechanical systems used in industrial and institutional facilities.
By the end of the program, apprentices are equipped with the technical knowledge, mechanical skills, and safety awareness required to become fully qualified HVAC-R technicians. Graduates can pursue work in installation, service, energy management, refrigeration, commercial mechanical contracting, and specialized industrial system maintenance. The apprenticeship also positions them to earn advanced credentials and ongoing certifications offered through the United Association.
Program Length
Five-year apprenticeship combining intensive classroom education with hands-on mechanical training and thousands of hours of supervised field experience.
Program Requirements
- Apply in person at the UA Local 123 Training Center, 3601 McIntosh Road, Dover, FL 33527
- Valid driver’s license
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- High school diploma or GED
- High school transcripts
- DD214 for military applicants
- Reliable transportation
Training Center Highlights
- Hands-on labs with functioning HVAC-R systems for real-world practice
- Electrical, refrigeration, and gas piping training modules
- State-of-the-art classrooms with modern testing equipment
- Experienced UA-certified instructors
- Advanced training opportunities and continuing education for members
Apprenticeship Cost & Career Outlook
UA Local 123 – HVAC-R Technician Apprenticeship is a Registered Apprenticeship Program — meaning you can earn while you learn through paid on-the-job training in HVAC.
- Paid on-the-job training with step increases as you progress
- Classroom / technical instruction is part of the program structure
- Training costs are often low — but you may still pay for tools, books, or fees
- Credential earned at completion is recognized by employers in the industry
Registered apprenticeships are overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Because these programs aren’t traditional colleges, College Scorecard tuition and earnings data usually doesn’t apply.
Step-by-Step Career Guides
The programs and apprenticeships listed on this page relate to hands-on skilled trades. Explore the guides below to learn about training paths, licensing, salaries, and what to expect in each career field.