Spartanburg Community College awarded $100,000 grant by Johnson Controls to train next generation of skilled HVAC Workers
June 14, 2023
The Spartanburg Community College Foundation announced the College has received a $100,000 grant through Johnson Controls’ Community College Partnership Program that will be invested in training and educational opportunities for the College’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program.
“We are excited to be one of only ten community colleges nationwide to partner with Johnson Controls to excel in meeting our mission to train the next generation of HVAC technicians,” said Dr. Michael Mikota, president of SCC. “This funding will significantly enhance our training capacity and provide state-of-the-art technology that will be coupled with mentorship from industry professionals. Our students, our communities and our economy will be stronger because of this forward-thinking investment by Johnson Controls.”
Since 2021, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program has annually distributed $1 million across ten community colleges in North America with a focus on vocational programs to inspire the next generation of workers. Grant recipients have the opportunity to receive a renewed grant for up to three years, creating long-term opportunities for program development. Each college has the option to receive the grants in full monetary value or to receive partial monetary funds along with technical equipment donated by Johnson Controls.
SCC plans to utilize the funding to support its HVAC program, which has recently expanded to offer classes on the College’s Cherokee County Campus later this fall thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The investment will allow SCC to train its HVAC students using state-of-the-art technology, granting them a competitive advantage in the job market.
With historic levels of investment and new development (both residential and commercial) occurring throughout the Upstate, there exists an immense need for HVAC technicians. New building construction, retrofitting or replacement of old systems, and ever-evolving environmental laws are just three driving forces fueling demand for qualified technicians.
This field is projected to grow significantly over the next ten years and SCC’s newly expanded HVAC program provides the local pathway for students to find success in this expansive and lucrative career path.
Johnson Controls employees in the surrounding area will also work with SCC to mentor and encourage students to join the skilled trades workforce. Through relationship building with industry professionals, students will be able to ask mentors questions and get a glimpse into the promising career trajectory following training completion.
“Not only are we investing in the next generation of workforce leaders, but the mentoring associated with this initiative reminds our employees why we do what we do,” said Julie Brandt, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. “We’re looking at our future and through partnership with these colleges we’re all contributing to a better supported trades industry.”
To learn more about the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program, visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.
About Spartanburg Community College
Strategically located across one of the most economically vibrant regions in the United States, Spartanburg Community College (SCC), home of the proud Chasers, is driving the economy forward while empowering thousands of students to Dream it, Chase it, and Live it.
Founded in 1963, SCC is South Carolina’s fastest growing public college and prides itself in providing unrivaled access to transformational experiences. Learn how you can begin to chase your dreams online or at five beautifully manicured campuses, encompassing 245 acres punctuated by over one million square feet of state-of-the-art facilities.
Join the chase at www.sccsc.edu.
About Spartanburg Community College Foundation
The SCC Foundation, as a registered 501 (c) public charity in the State of South Carolina, works tirelessly to secure innovative funding opportunities and significant gifts to advance Spartanburg Community College, it’s students, faculty and staff. By building and strengthening partnerships, the SCC Foundation generates resources of all kinds to advance the goals and mission of the College. Through philanthropy and collaboration, the SCC Foundation aims to shape a brighter future for students and empower the communities served by SCC.
About Johnson Controls
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.
Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.
Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.
Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.
