Building a Better Future: Lincoln Tech and Johnson Controls’ Innovative Partnership

Lincoln Tech and Johnson Controls tackle skilled-labor gap with hands-on training and employment pathway program.

The skilled trades worker shortage in the United States is a growing concern for the country’s economic and social well-being. Skilled trades workers are essential for infrastructure maintenance, public safety, and innovation. According to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders, there are currently more than 200,000 unfilled construction jobs in the U.S. due to a lack of skilled workers. This workforce disparity is expected to widen as an influx of trade professionals is expected to leave the labor force to change careers or retire, leading to a projection of nearly 10,000 job openings per year over the next decade.

To address this issue, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Johnson Controls have joined forces to launch the Johnson Controls Academy, a six-week intensive training program focused on developing the next generation of building technicians. The program is based at Lincoln Tech’s Columbia, MD campus and provides a pathway to employment at Johnson Controls locations throughout the U.S. Johnson Controls supports the students with on-site housing and relocation packages and plans to onboard approximately 130 new technicians or more each year.

The Johnson Controls Academy welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including military veterans and adult learners, and has already graduated three classes of participants who have been placed in Johnson Controls technician roles throughout the U.S., including California, Florida, Virginia, Illinois, and Nebraska. This hands-on learning opportunity builds upon Lincoln Tech’s Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology (EEST) education for participants and prepares them for real-life experiences in the field.

The partnership between Lincoln Tech and Johnson Controls comes at a crucial time for the industry. Recent years have seen a scarcity of candidates with the specialized skill sets needed to succeed in these roles. This workforce disparity slows innovation and negatively impacts the public and private organizations who depend on building technology leaders for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Johnson Controls’ investment in workforce development begins at the K-12 level and continues throughout its employees’ careers. Since 2018, Johnson Controls has sponsored Lincoln Tech classrooms with industry-standard equipment and technology, empowering students at the career training school to reap the benefits of real-world learning. Johnson Controls Academy employees are provided a retention coach for a year post-graduation to support them in their new roles.

“Johnson Controls Academy graduates are on track to become the next generation of innovators with the digital and technical knowledge to overcome our industry’s biggest challenges,” said Mike Schade, Vice President, Human Resources, Building Solutions North America, Johnson Controls. “Program participants are problem solvers, creative thinkers and are eager to enter a field with great demand, secure career opportunities and the potential for professional advancement. The skilled-trade gap continues to widen, but we are closing it one career at a time.”

Lincoln Tech President and CEO Scott Shaw echoed Schade’s sentiment, stating that “The Johnson Controls Academy is an innovative, forward-thinking solution to the hiring challenges many employers face today – and we’re proud to be able to host it at a Lincoln campus.”

The impact of the Johnson Controls Academy goes beyond just addressing the skilled trades worker shortage. The program also creates opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the workforce and build successful careers in the building technology industry. This includes military veterans who are transitioning to civilian life and adult learners who are seeking new career paths.

In addition to the on-site housing and relocation packages provided by Johnson Controls, the program also offers a chance for participants to gain real-world experience in the field. The hands-on learning opportunity provided by the Johnson Controls Academy builds upon the Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology (EEST) education provided by Lincoln Tech, giving participants the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

The success of the Johnson Controls Academy is evident in the fact that the program has already graduated three classes of participants who have been placed in Johnson Controls technician roles throughout the U.S. The program has also received praise from those who have completed it, with many graduates expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry.

The Johnson Controls Academy is just one example of how companies can work together to address the skilled trades worker shortage in the U.S. By investing in workforce development programs, companies like Johnson Controls are not only helping to address the immediate needs of the industry but are also creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to build successful careers in the workforce.

Bottom line, the Johnson Controls Academy is a shining example of how companies can work together to address the skilled trades worker shortage in the U.S. By providing hands-on training and a clear pathway to employment, the program is preparing the next generation of building technicians to fill the workforce gap and drive innovation in the industry. With the ongoing support of companies like Johnson Controls, the future of the skilled trades workforce in the U.S. looks bright.

 

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