Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College, a Penn State affiliate) and Johnson Controls are teaming up to attract and groom the next generation of HVAC technicians. Through its national program called CareerConnect, Johnson Controls donates resources and equipment to partnering schools to support existing curriculum and simulate the work environment.

The company’s contributions to Penn College will include classroom and lab learning materials, instruction from local industry experts, and paid internship opportunities. In total, the market value of the CareerConnect program to Penn College is more than $13,000, according to Johnson Controls.

The manufacturer said it will also participate in community and recruiting events to increase local awareness of career opportunities available to skilled technicians. Students enrolled in key programs at Penn College’s School of Construction and Design Technologies are also eligible for the Johnson Controls Future Hires Program. This opportunity offers select students scholarship money to help mitigate tuition costs and guarantees a technician job with Johnson Controls upon graduation. Up to five students from Penn College can be selected annually for participation.

“Our school and students have a lot to gain from this relationship with Johnson Controls,” said Marc Bridgens, acting dean, School of Construction and Design Technologies. “We gain access to industry leadership and our students can obtain an employment offer with a Fortune 500 company.”

To date, Penn 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.

For more information on CareerConnect, go to www.johnsoncontrols.com.

Publication Date: 12/22/2008