the next generation of online learnning
choose your trade
HVAC
Building Maintenance
Appliance Repair
Electrical
PlUMBING
Start Your Career in the Trades!
Forget the four-year degree. HVAC, appliance repair, building maintenance, these are skills people pay for right now, no matter where the economy stands.
Virtual Trade Academy gets you there completely online. You train in VR, running real labs such as HVAC and appliance repair scenarios from a headset instead of sitting through lectures about them. Stay home, skip the two-year commitment, and get certified in as little as three months,10 hours a week in a field that's actively hiring across South Carolina.
It is a licensed program built around certifications employers actually ask for by name. And depending on your situation, there is a funded path that can knock the cost down to zero.
Build Skills for a Career in the Trades
Training happens online, but that does not mean sitting through videos and quizzes. You are in VR, wiring a unit, chasing down a diagnostic problem, working through a job scenario from a headset at your kitchen table instead of a classroom.
Classes start weekly. You are never stuck waiting around for a fall semester to line up.
The VR labs are not a gimmick. They are where you make your mistakes before you're standing in front of somebody's $6,000 unit on a real job, and by the time you finish, you've actually done the work instead of just reading about it.
What you walk away with is a real, industry-recognized certification, the kind employers in South Carolina ask for by name, not a certificate that just says you showed up.
Programs run 120 to 166 clock hours depending on the trade, so most students are certified in four months or less. All you need is a computer, a VR headset (we provide the equipment if you qualify for funding), and a schedule built around your life instead of the other way around.
Find the Right Trade for You
Not sure which trade fits? Here's what each one involves.
HVAC Technician Heating and cooling systems break in every season, in every county, which is exactly why HVAC techs stay busy. You will train on installation, repair, and diagnostics for the systems that keep homes and businesses running. 120 clock hours to certification.
Appliance Repair Technician Every home has a washer, dryer, fridge, or oven that eventually needs a repair tech. This program trains you to diagnose and fix household appliances, steady, in-demand work with low overhead if you eventually want to run your own service. 120 clock hours to certification.
Building Facility Maintenance Technician This is the trade for someone who wants to know a bit about everything, basic electrical, plumbing, HVAC, general repairs. Facility maintenance techs are the person a building calls when something is wrong, and every commercial property needs one. 166 clock hours to certification.
Still not sure? Call us 864-741-3935 and we will walk you through which trade fits your interests and your area's job market.
Why Choose Virtual Trade Academy?
You train online, using VR simulation labs that put you into real repair and installation scenarios instead of lectures about them. Its hands-on repetition most online programs can't offer, and it means you arrive at your first job having already done the work, not just studied it.
There are no relocating and no commuting. Training fits your schedule. New cohorts start weekly too, so you are not waiting on a semester calendar to align with your life.
That is what makes three-month certification possible. Students finish and start earning while a traditional two-year program is just getting underway.
Cost is not automatically a barrier either. Through WIOA and other funding channels, eligible students can have tuition, certification, and equipment fully covered. Eligibility for each student is confirmed individually, at no cost to find out.
The advantage extends to hiring as well. Employers who bring on our graduates can be reimbursed for up to 75% of wages during the first 300 hours of on-the-job training, giving them a direct incentive to hire a VTA graduate over an uncertified candidate.
Accreditation & Approvals
Virtual Trade Academy is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (License No. 6374), issued under the Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution License Act, Title 59, Chapter 58 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
Frequently asked questions
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Most students finish in three months or less, depending on the program. HVAC and Appliance Repair run 120 clock hours; Building Facility Maintenance runs 166 clock hours.
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No. Training is 100% online, using VR simulation labs for hands-on practice. You will need a computer and a VR headset, which we provide for funded students.
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For students who qualify through WIOA or other funding programs, training, certification, and equipment can be fully covered, with no out-of-pocket cost. We check every applicant's eligibility individually. There are other grants available such as Mike Rowe Works, Veteran grants and many nonprofit organizations.
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We will tell you exactly where you stand and walk you through what other options exist. Reach out and we will figure it out together, there is no obligation.
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The trades listed here (HVAC, appliance repair, building maintenance) are hiring steadily across South Carolina. On top of that, employers who hire graduates can be reimbursed for a large share of wages during on-the-job training, which gives them a direct incentive to hire you over someone without a credential We have several Partners who are actively looking for certified people in the trades.
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New classes start weekly, so you're never far from a start date. Call 864- 741-3935 or fill out the contact form and we will get you scheduled.
ABOUT the Founders
William Lardieri
Co-Founder
A lifelong entrepreneur and true Master Craftsman with over 40 years in the trades. William has built a remarkable career that spans developing and building homes, owning and operating commercial sign companies, extensive industrial electrical experience, and successfully running a beverage dispensary business. His hands-on expertise across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors has given him unparalleled insight into what it takes to excel in the building and trades industries.
Damian Lardieri
Co-Founder
A seasoned educator and entrepreneur with 20 years of success in the spray foam industry. As a major supplier serving companies throughout the United States, Damian has mastered the technical, business, and logistical sides of one of the fastest-growing sectors in modern construction and insulation. His background as a teacher combined with proven entrepreneurial achievements makes him uniquely qualified to guide aspiring tradespeople.
Today, the Lardieri cousins William and Damian have joined forces to create Virtual Trade Academy — a mission-driven platform designed to share the hard-earned knowledge, practical skills, and business insights they've accumulated over decades. We're passionate about mentoring students, providing high-quality training, and opening doors to real opportunities in the trades.
Our goal is simple yet powerful: to elevate a new generation of tradespeople by equipping them with the tools, confidence, and connections they need to build successful, rewarding careers. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your skills, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Join us in building the future of the trades — one skilled professional at a time.
OUR COURSES
HVAC Technician Program (W)
Delivery: Online instruction with scheduled in- person skill labs
Program Length / Credentials: 120 hours | Certificate of Completion| OSHA 10 Certificate | EPA 608
PROGRAM OVERVIEW / COMPETENCIES
Fundamentals of HVAC systems, components, and operation,
Safety practices aligned to OSHA principles and jobsite expectation.
Basic electrical theory and diagnostic methods used in HVAC service.
Preventative maintenance and sequence-of-operation fundamentals.
Appliance Repair Technician Program (W)
Program Length / Credentials: 120 hours | EPA 608 / CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Delivery: Online instruction with scheduled in- person skill labs
PROGRAM OVERVIEW / COMPETENCIES
Tools, customer service, and ethical repair practices,
Safety training (OSHA content) appropriate to the scope of instruction,
Electrical fundamentals for appliance diagnosis, including meter use.
Refrigeration and cooling system basics, including EPA exam preparation.
Diagnosis and service of washers, cooking appliances, dishwashers, and disposals.
Building Maintenance Technician Program (W)
Program Length / Credentials: 166 hours/ Certificate of Completion +
NATE ready work certificate/EPA 608 Type 1 Certification/ OSHA 10 PROGRAM ALIGNED
PROGRAM OVERVIEW / COMPETENCIES
Orientation, Ethics, and Safety Foundation
Tools & Amp; Job Site Service
Electrical Fundamentals for Facilities
Plumbing & Amp; Water Systems
Mechanical Systems
N.A.T.E. Ready to Work Exam Preparation
HVAC Systems for Facilities
Refrigeration & Amp; Cooling Awareness + EPA 608 Type 1 Preparation
Appliance in Facilities
Building Systems & Amp Controls
Preventative Maintenance & Amp; C.M.M.S.
Career Readiness & Amp : Job Transition
Electrical Technician Program
Program Length / Credentials: 120 hours | INDUSTRY CERTIFICATES
Delivery: Online instruction with in-person labs
PROGRAM OVERVIEW / COMPETENCIES
Tools, materials, and electrical fundamentals used in residential / light commercial work.
Circuit basics, installation concepts, and safety practices.
Introduction to code concepts and inspection readiness.
Jobsite professionalism and best practices.
Plumbing Technician Program
Program Length / Credential: 120 hours | INDUSTRY CERTIFICATE
Delivery: Online instruction with in-person skill labs
PROGRAM OVERVIEW / CPMPETENCIES
Plumbing system basics, tools, safety, and materials identification.
Pipe joining methods and basic installation practices.
Fixture installation, repair, and troubleshooting.
Water heater fundamentals and maintenance concepts.
(W) WIOA Approved Programs SCETPL
ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT
ADMISSION
Minimum age: 18.
Education: High School diploma or equivalent (GED)
Technology requirements for online learning: High speed internet
8mb laptop or computer ( We can help for qualified students)
ENROLLMENT
Complete application and interview.
Review catalog and enrollment prior to signing.
Confirm start date, payment plan, and required tools/supplies.
READY TO GET STARTED?