How Long Does Trade School Take at McFatter

How long trade school takes depends on the program and the schedule you attend. At McFatter Technical College in Davie, the selected programs below list completion timelines of about 10 to 18 months. Those published estimates describe the training itself; your total planning timeline also includes applying, preparing to start, and any next steps required for your chosen occupation.

Examples of published program lengths

Program	Program hours	Published length
Electricity	1,200	12 months
Welding Technology — full time	1,050	10 months
Welding Technology — part time	1,050	18 months
Practical Nursing	1,350	12 months
Marine Service Technologies	1,350	12 months

 

These are selected examples from McFatter’s program pages, reviewed October 17, 2026. Ask a counselor for the schedule and expected completion date of the specific class you intend to join. Availability, school calendars, and your progress can affect the date you finish.

Understand program hours and calendar months

Program hours describe the amount of scheduled training. Calendar months describe how that training is arranged over time. A part-time schedule can spread the same program hours across more months.

The welding options illustrate that difference. Both list 1,050 hours, while the published full-time and part-time timelines differ. When comparing programs, write down both numbers. Looking at hours alone will not tell you which evenings or workdays you need to keep available.

Avoid calculating a guaranteed graduation date by dividing program hours by a weekly schedule. Holidays, breaks, attendance policies, and the sequence of instruction can affect the calendar. Request the actual schedule for your intended start.

Make room for the admissions process

The time between your first inquiry and your first class is separate from the program length. Review McFatter’s getting started guide and ask which steps apply to your program.

Those steps may include submitting documents, completing an assessment or documenting an exemption, meeting with a counselor, and arranging financial aid. Some programs have additional requirements. Ask for a checklist and work backward from the registration deadline you are given.

Confirm seat availability before making major changes to your employment or childcare arrangements. If your preferred class is full, ask about the next available option and what you can complete while waiting.

Choose a schedule you can sustain

A shorter calendar may require more of your week. A longer option may fit better with a job or family responsibilities. Neither is automatically the right choice for every student.

Create a sample week that includes class, commuting, study, sleep, work, and caregiving. Then ask yourself where you would put an extra study session or handle an unexpected delay. A plan that works only when everything goes perfectly may be difficult to maintain.

If you need evening classes, verify that the specific program and upcoming class offer them. Evening availability in one program does not establish the schedule for another.

Plan for the step after graduation

Completing a training program and meeting every requirement for an occupation can be different milestones. Depending on the field, you may need an examination, additional supervised experience, employer training, or another credential.

Ask your counselor what comes immediately after completion and which steps you can prepare for during school. You can also review McFatter’s career services while you plan your job search.

Build your personal training timeline

Start with three dates: the earliest class you can realistically join, the expected completion date, and the target date for your next career step. Note which dates are confirmed and which still depend on an application or other requirement.

For help building that plan, request McFatter program information or call 754-321-5700. Share your preferred field and the days you can attend so a counselor can help you evaluate the available schedule.