For Johnson Controls, the real impact behind its new $3-million investment in the Community College Partnership Program isn’t just about sustainability—it’s a long-term commitment to closing the skilled trades gap for good.

Launched in 2021, the program supports 30 community colleges and is designed to create clear pathways to careers while strengthening programs in high-demand technical fields. During the 2024–25 school year alone, the program supported 554 scholarships and helped launch more than 1,000 careers.

“Without proper funding, community colleges don’t have the resources they need to educate the next generation of skilled workers,” says Susan Ranft, vice president of human resources for the Americas at Johnson Controls. “Younger students who would be great candidates for skilled trades positions often lack exposure to—or even awareness of—the potential of these career paths.”

With nearly 5,000 students enrolled to date, the program empowers participants to do more than take a leap into a new career. Through the involvement of local Johnson Controls volunteer mentors and guest educators, students gain hands-on insight, build professional networks, learn from real-world experiences and access internships and entry-level career opportunities within the company.

“During the 2024–25 school year alone, our employees logged nearly 850 volunteer hours as educators and mentors, demonstrating how strongly they believe in the program’s mission and their dedication to building the next generation of skilled workers,” Ranft says. “They help students build professional networks and empower them with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in building technology careers.”

While intelligence, passion and determination provide a strong foundation for careers in the skilled trades, limited access to funding and educational resources continues to challenge workforce development efforts for prospective students.

Through the program, schools receive grants of up to $100,000, renewable for as many as three years, to support programming across HVAC, fire, security and digital disciplines. “We’re on track to donate up to $15 million by the end of 2026 across 30 community colleges to help them expand educational programs and workforce development initiatives,” Ranft says.

As a global leader in smart buildings—creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces for more than 140 years—Johnson Controls encourages other companies to explore similar initiatives that support students pursuing family-sustaining careers.

“It’s incredibly important to invest in the future workforce,” Ranft says. “Companies should look for ways to fund and collaborate with local community colleges to strengthen skilled-trades programs, including creating opportunities for employees to engage with students as mentors and educators while fostering the expertise and motivation students need to succeed.”

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The post For Good: Johnson Controls Invests in Community College Partnership Program first appeared on Construction Executive.

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