Johnson Controls reaffirms its commitment to skilled trades workforce through spring open house series across community colleges

Leading up to National Skilled Trades Day 2026 on May 6, Johnson Controls reinforced its ongoing commitment to strengthening the skilled trades workforce through a series of Community College Partnership Program open house events throughout spring 2026.

From February through April, Johnson Controls partnered with leading community colleges to host hands-on, community focused events designed to connect students, educators and industry professionals while showcasing pathways into high-demand technical careers.

This spring’s open house series included events at Durham College in Ontario, Canada, Gateway Community College in Phoenix, Lone Star College in Houston, Midlands Technical College and Spartanburg Community College in South Carolina, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Suffolk County Community College in New York.

At Gateway Community College in Arizona, the impact of these programs was especially visible through the story of student Addist Bennett (right), whose journey reflects the life-changing opportunities made possible through workforce education.

“I’m going to survive and grow,” Addist shared in a recent local news interview, describing his path from homelessness to becoming a first-time graduate.

His story highlights the broader mission of the Community College Partnership Program: to remove barriers to education and create clear, accessible pathways to stable, well-paid careers.

Launched in 2021, the Community College Partnership Program aims to donate up to $15 million by the end of 2026 to expand access to programs in HVAC, fire, security and digital disciplines. Through renewable grants, mentorship and equipment support, Johnson Controls is helping community colleges enhance workforce training and better prepare students for careers in the skilled trades.

To date, the program has supported:

• Nearly 5,000 students enrolled in partner programs.
• More than 1,000 graduates.
• Hundreds of scholarships awarded annually.
• Hundreds of volunteer hours contributed by Johnson Controls employees.

These efforts reflect a shared commitment between Johnson Controls and its academic partners to build stronger talent pipelines while supporting students in achieving long-term career success.