MILWAUKEE – (June 27, 2005) – GateWay Community College in Phoenix has been selected by Johnson Controls, Inc. to participate in CAREERCONNECT, a new collaborative program dedicated to training the next generation of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians.
Through CAREERCONNECT, Johnson Controls will donate resources to each partnering school to enhance its learning environment, HVAC program curriculum and students’ experience. The company’s contributions include four $1,500 scholarships, instruction from industry experts, learning materials and faculty training.
The overall goal of CAREERCONNECT is to increase the number of skilled graduates of HVAC programs entering the workforce. This is in response to a lagging number of HVAC program graduates entering the trade, an aging workforce, and an increasing demand to transform buildings into cost-effective and efficient facilities.
“To meet the needs of our growing service business in the western United States, we are taking action that goes beyond recruitment to development of the kind of talent we look for in professional service technicians. Students who graduate from the HVAC program at GateWay Community College will be among the best candidates the industry has to offer in this region," said Casey Condron, West Region Service Vice President/GM, Johnson Controls.
To date, GateWay Community College is one of five U.S. community colleges to have been selected for inclusion into CAREERCONNECT.
Colleges were 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.
“In our experience, industry partnerships have proven an excellent way to ensure that our programs stay current and our graduates are well prepared. We are excited to partner with Johnson Controls and its CAREERCONNECT program to strengthen our HVAC service program and to continue producing the best graduates in this field," said Dr. Clyde Perry, Division Chair, Industrial Technology, GateWay Community College.
The CAREERCONNECT program exemplifies the company’s dedication to the communities in which it serves. Through its local network of service professionals, Johnson Controls offers a team of experts and a range of service solutions designed to improve facility performance and keep customer facilities running right.
About GateWay Community College
As one of the Maricopa Community Colleges, GateWay Community College is a fully accredited public institution of higher education located in Phoenix, Ariz. Offering over 85 Certificate and Associate Degree programs in the areas of Business and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Industrial Technology, Nursing and University Transfer, GateWay has emerged as a leading institution to meet the needs of business and industry. Visit www.gatewaycc.edu or call (602) 286-8600 for more information.
About Johnson Controls, Inc.
Johnson Controls, Inc., is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 2004 totaled $26.6 billion. For more information on Johnson Controls, Inc., visit the company’s Web site at www.johnsoncontrols.com.
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