Johnson Controls funds community college programme for fire protection and HVAC careers
Iain Hoey
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Why Johnson Controls’ education funding matters for future fire protection professionals
Fifth year of the partnership programme announced
Johnson Controls has announced the fifth year of its Community College Partnership Program, providing $3 million in funding to 30 community colleges.
The company said the programme aims to expand career pathways in technical fields including fire protection, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R), security and digital technologies.
Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer at Johnson Controls, said: “The Community College Partnership continues to empower institutions to equip students for success in the skilled trades.
“It also creates real career pathways and drives meaningful progress in closing the skilled trades gap across North America.”
The initiative builds on previous rounds of funding launched since 2021.
Programme impact and key outcomes
According to Johnson Controls, the programme has awarded funding to colleges across North America since its inception.
In the 2024–2025 school year, 554 students received scholarships.
The company said that 4,998 students have enrolled in participating programmes to date and that 1,046 have graduated, with further completions expected as multi-year courses conclude.
Johnson Controls employees recorded 846 volunteer hours during the 2024–2025 school year through mentoring and classroom involvement.
The company said the programme supports workforce development by providing clear routes into employment in high-demand fields.
Focus on high-demand technical roles
The Bureau for Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that HVAC-R mechanics and installers are projected to see 8% employment growth and approximately 40,100 job openings per year through 2034.
Johnson Controls said the Community College Partnership Program helps address these workforce needs by collaborating with nonprofit colleges to strengthen teaching in HVAC, fire protection, security and digital systems.
Each college receives a grant renewable for up to three years to grow academic programmes and expand student access.
The company expects to have donated up to $15 million by the end of 2026 to support education in these disciplines.
Local engagement and 2025–2026 award recipients
Johnson Controls said that funding for the latest cohort prioritised colleges in areas where the company has a strong customer and employee base.
It added that employee volunteers play a key role as mentors and guest educators, giving students access to professional networks and hands-on learning opportunities.
The 2025–2026 award recipients include Kennedy King College in Chicago, Suffolk County in New York, Montgomery College in Maryland, Lone Star College in Texas, the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland, Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Georgia, Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin, Sinclair Community College in Ohio, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in North Carolina and George Brown College in Ontario.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program directly affects the development of skilled workers in fire protection and related technical disciplines.
For fire-protection contractors, system installers and engineering consultants, the initiative contributes to a more qualified labour pool trained in installation, maintenance and safety compliance practices.
Building services engineers and facility managers benefit from the programme’s emphasis on modern HVAC and fire-protection technologies that align with current safety standards.
For training officers and technical educators, the model provides a framework for integrating industry expertise into vocational education.
By supporting students in both HVAC and fire protection, the programme helps maintain workforce capacity in areas critical to building safety and system reliability.
Johnson Controls funds community college programme for fire protection and HVAC careers: Summary
Johnson Controls has announced $3 million in new funding for 30 community colleges under its Community College Partnership Program.
The programme, launched in 2021, is entering its fifth year and focuses on developing career pathways in HVAC, fire protection, security and digital technology.
The company reported 554 scholarships awarded and 4,998 students enrolled to date, with 1,046 graduates from participating colleges.
The Bureau for Labor Statistics projects 8% growth for HVAC-R jobs through 2034, which the initiative aims to help meet.
Johnson Controls plans to contribute up to $15 million by 2026 to expand access to technical education.
Ten community colleges across North America will receive 2025–2026 funding, supported by employee mentoring and local engagement.
This article contains information from the following source: Johnson Controls