Lincoln Tech has celebrated its 500th graduate from the Johnson Controls Academy, a fully funded six-week training progr

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation announced that the latest cohort from the Johnson Controls Academy included the program’s 500th graduate, marking a significant milestone in developing the skilled workforce needed for mission-critical environments nationwide. Johnson Controls established the JCI Academy at Lincoln Tech’s Columbia, Maryland campus in 2022, with a second location opening at Lincoln’s Denver campus in 2024 and a third site slated to open later this year at Lincoln Tech’s Indianapolis campus. The initiative builds on a broader partnership between the two companies that began in 2018 to train electricians, electronic service technicians, and HVAC-R technicians at Lincoln Tech schools across the country. To date, more than 500 participants have been trained across the HVAC-R, Data Center, Fire, and Security career fields.

Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO, stated, When we first partnered with Johnson Controls eight years ago, we were fully committed to assisting them in building their workforce any way we could. Launching the JCI Academy was a major part of that commitment, helping to set students on pathways to careers that align with market needs. Knowing that we’ve now surpassed 500 graduates from the highly specialized Johnson Controls Academy program is a proud moment for our campuses and for all of the people working to making this partnership as successful as it has been. Alison Neuman, Program Manager for Workforce Development at Johnson Controls, added, Demand for skilled talent continues to grow alongside the increasing complexity of the environments our customers operate. Through our partnership with Lincoln Tech, we’re building the skilled workforce that will deliver the mission-critical environments and thermal management solutions powering society's most important industries.

The JCI Academy is a six-week advanced training program focused on security installation and fire services systems, providing a direct pathway to full-time employment at Johnson Controls locations throughout the United States. Johnson Controls covers tuition, housing, and relocation expenses for students to help bridge the skills gap in the building technology field. Donnell Talley, who graduated from the JCI Academy at Columbia in March and now works for Johnson Controls as a Fire Service Technician in New York, said, This program is crucial to help aspiring future technicians or inspectors develop their skillset. I can’t recommend or sing the praises of the Academy enough. Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, which has operated 22 campuses in 12 states under three brands since 1946, continues to provide career-oriented post-secondary education in transportation, healthcare, skilled trades, and information technology.