News Releases

MILWAUKEE – (September 29, 2008) – Matanuska-Susitna College (MSC) in Palmer, Alaska has been selected by Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) to participate in a national collaborative program dedicated to training the next generation of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians.
 

Through the program, called CareerConnect, Johnson Controls donates resources to partnering schools to support existing curriculum and simulate the work environment. The end goal is to increase the number of skilled HVAC professionals entering the workforce. Johnson Controls’ contributions to MSC will include faculty development, classroom and lab learning materials and instruction from local industry experts. The market value of the program to MSC is more than $15,000 over three years.
 

Johnson Controls will also participate in community and recruiting events to increase local awareness of career opportunities available to skilled technicians. According to employment projections reported by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the total number of HVAC-related skilled trade positions is expected to grow nearly 10 percent nationwide by the year 2016, resulting in 77,000 new job openings.
 

Students enrolled in MSC’s undergraduate certificate in refrigeration and heating technology, the Associate of Applied Science in refrigeration and heating technology or the Associate of Applied Science in computer systems technology are also eligible for the Johnson Controls Future Hires Program.
 

This opportunity offers select students funding to help mitigate tuition costs and guarantees them a technician job with Johnson Controls upon graduation. Up to five students from MSC can be selected annually for participation.
 

“Our school and our community will both reap the benefits of this partnership with Johnson Controls,” said Vocational Programs Coordinator Daniel Mielke. “Top students have the opportunity to gain employment with a Fortune 500 company upon graduation and the cutting edge learning materials will no doubt attract students interested in the HVAC industry.”
 

The CareerConnect program reflects the company’s dedication to the communities in which it serves. Through its local network of service professionals, including a branch in Anchorage, Johnson Controls offers a team of experts and a range of service solutions designed to improve facility performance.
 

“These programs allow us to develop a pipeline of qualified recruits,” said Jeffrey Wood, service branch manager, Johnson Controls. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide opportunities for Alaskan students and meet the needs of our growing service business with exceptional local talent.”
 

To date, Matanuska-Susitna College is one of 14 CareerConnect relationships that Johnson Controls has established throughout North America. Colleges are evaluated based on school and program demographics including diversity statistics, curriculum and ability to modify it, geographic areas served, enrollments, placement statistics, strategies, and its relationship with Johnson Controls.
 

About Matanuska-Susitna College
Matanuska-Susitna College (MSC) is an extended college of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Now serving nearly 1,650 students per semester, MSC offers a general program for the first two years of college courses leading to the Associate of Arts degree and the curriculum provides a strong foundation for the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. In addition the College offers courses leading to Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, Architectural & Engineering Technology, Computer Information & Office Systems, Computer Systems Technology, Fire & Emergency Services Technology, Human Services, Refrigeration & Heating Technology, Small Business Administration, Telecommunications, Electronics & Computer Technology and the Information Technology Specialist through University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

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