Johnson Controls Selects DeKalb Technical College for Collaborative HVACR Training Program

Program grooms building mechanics on leading systems; guarantees jobs for select graduates

MILWAUKEE – (July 10, 2008) – In a time when the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers, Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI) and DeKalb Technical College in Clarkston, Ga. are teaming up to attract and groom the next generation of service technicians through the CareerConnect program.

Through this national program, Johnson Controls donates resources and tools to select partnering schools to simulate the work environment and enhance the program curriculum. The company’s contributions to DeKalb Technical College will include learning materials, instruction from industry experts, faculty development opportunities and community relations outreach. Johnson Controls will team with the school through career fairs, recruiting events and other community initiatives to increase awareness of the career opportunities available to skilled technicians. The market value of the CareerConnect program to DeKalb Technical College is more than $15,000 over three years.

Students enrolled in DeKalb’s Air Conditioning, Commercial Refrigeration diploma program and the Associate of Applied Science degree program are also eligible for the Johnson Controls Future Hires Program. This opportunity provides exceptional students with tuition aid and a guaranteed job with Johnson Controls upon graduation. Up to five students from each CareerConnect partner school are selected annually.

“The partnership is beneficial to both the school and the students,” said Jeryll McWhorter, air conditioning technology instructor, DeKalb Technical College. “We gain access to cutting-edge learning materials and some of our most promising students receive an employment offer with the industry’s global leader, Johnson Controls.”

The overall goal of CareerConnect is to meet the growing needs of the HVACR industry by increasing the number of skilled program graduates entering the workforce. According to employment projections reported by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the total number of HVACR-related skilled trade positions in the state of Georgia will increase 26.2 percent from 2006 - 2016. An aging workforce and an increasing demand for cost-effective and efficient facilities all contribute to the increasing need for HVACR program graduates.

“These programs allow Johnson Controls to develop a pipeline of recruits to meet the needs of our growing service business,” said Peter Geist, service branch manager, Johnson Controls. “In addition, we shorten our recruiting cycle, reduce our recruiting costs and benefit from increased productivity of new hires.”

The CareerConnect program also exemplifies the company’s dedication to the communities in which it serves. Through its local network of service professionals, including branches located in Atlanta, Albany, Columbus/Montgomery, Roswell, Duluth and Savannah, Ga., Johnson Controls offers a team of experts and a range of service solutions designed to improve facility performance and keep customer facilities running right.

To date, DeKalb Technical College is one of ten CareerConnect partnerships that Johnson Controls has established with community colleges in 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.

About DeKalb Technical College
DeKalb Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and offers degrees, diplomas, and certificates in business technologies; computer information systems and engineering technologies; health and human services; and industrial and transportation technologies. For information on admissions, call 404-297-9522, ext. 0. Continuing Education, non-credit programs are offered through Economic Development.

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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