By Dean Johnson, Lead Instructor, Johnson Controls
Today’s high school students face a multitude of opportunities after graduation – going to college, starting a full-time job, or even taking a gap year to decide what they truly want to do in life. For many, the decision on which path to take may seem confusing and intimidating.

If you’re someone who isn’t entirely sold on the idea of continuing your education by attending a college, vocational training may be an option. Or, if you are a current mechanic looking at different avenues, we can help you get on the right path for long-term career success. For more than 60 years, the Johnson Controls Training Institute has delivered high-quality technical training that promises a competitive advantage with practical, hands-on instruction. Training is available in various areas, with one focused on the service and maintenance of commercial and industrial air conditioning equipment – Chillers Technical Learning.

Establishing skills through hands-on learning
Throughout Chillers Technical Learning, students learn from certified, professional instructors in the building environments industry. While this training offers an excellent opportunity for recent high school graduates, we also provide classes for mechanics already working in commercial environments who are looking to expand their skillset. The curriculum includes learning in state-of-the-art laboratories perfectly equipped for hands-on exercises to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate building systems effectively and efficiently.

Courses combine the extensive real-world experience of instructors with hands-on activities, teaching students everything they need to know when it comes to application design, installation, start-up, maintenance and servicing HVAC mechanical equipment and its interaction with building automation systems (BAS). Our students also receive greater individual attention from instructors due to the smaller class sizes, which can be attractive to those who don’t like the idea of large lecture halls in college.

Managing buildings of today and tomorrow
Currently, Johnson Controls offers 14 chiller mechanic trainings, in addition to 10 commercial contractors’ trainings for our partners. Certified chiller instructors create content and learning materials that are easy to comprehend and reference on the job site. The curriculum fully prepares future and current chiller mechanics with the necessary information on how to start-up, maintain and service 14 different types of industrial air conditioning equipment. For current commercial contractors, we train students on 10 different types of industrial air conditioning equipment.

With a significant need in today’s workforce for HVAC service technicians, especially for commercial facilities, our training is designed to reflect the current state of the industry, while preparing technicians for future innovations to come. Through our extensive curriculum and skills training, we provide students with the ability to become more valuable to their future or current service office, which allows for excellent opportunities for career growth. Key incentives include job promotions and steady increases in compensation. For instance, we’re seeing our graduates quickly climb the totem pole – starting as a mechanic, then developing their on-site skills enough to become lead mechanic, foreman, and service manager.

Considering the next step
If you’re considering how vocational training can put you on the right path to long-term career success and want to be a key player in maximizing the potential of building systems to increase return on investment, we urge you to consider training with Johnson Controls. Check out our Training Services to get started.