Rochester Community and Technical College Upgrades HVAC Controls Lab

Cutting-edge systems donated by Johnson Controls to enhance students’ learning experience

MILWAUKEE — (October 12, 2007) — In a time of high demand for skilled building technicians, Johnson Controls, a global leader in creating smart building environments, is investing in the Rochester-area talent pool by donating heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and a digital direct controls system to the Rochester Community and Technical College controls lab. Construction of the new lab is expected to be complete this month..

“We are excited to team up with Johnson Controls to strengthen our HVAC program and enhance our students’ learning experience,” said Warren Beighley, building utilities mechanic instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College. “The new lab will be equipped with the latest technology so we can continue producing the best graduates in this field.”

The local workforce will also benefit, as employers in Minnesota anticipate a 19 percent increase in demand for HVAC workers by the year 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Minnesota employment projections.

“Our Rochester branch office has been around for more than 18 years, and we want to continue to build on this history,” said Jason Gorak, systems branch manager, Johnson Controls. “We see this donation as a way to prepare and recruit the type of talent needed to fill critical careers in a growing field.”

The lab, which was first unveiled in May 2007, is now being reconstructed as part of a campus-wide renovation project that includes asbestos abatement and structural and mechanical updates. During the current semester, HVAC students will benefit from the hands-on experience of installing the mechanical and electrical components. Once in place, the new equipment will play a key role in the lab.

About Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) was founded in 1915 by a motion of Dr. Charles Mayo, one of the founders of the Mayo Clinic and a Rochester School District Board member. Today, RCTC is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System

(MnSCU) which consists of 32 campuses including 25 two-year colleges and 7 state universities.

RCTC serves approximately 7,500 students in credit-based enrollments and 4,400 persons in contract and non-credit/ open enrollment courses. The College offers over 70 credit-based programs with more than 130 credential options in the areas of liberal arts, allied health, business, services, and technical career pathways. RCTC’s largest programs include liberal arts, nursing, allied health, and business.

RCTC’s Building Utilities Mechanic (BUM) major is designed to prepare students for careers requiring skills in the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of electrical and mechanical equipment found in commercial buildings. RCTC also offers a certificate as a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Service Technician. Visit us at http://www.rctc.edu/program/bum/

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. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

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