Johnson Controls, the global, multi-industrial leader in creating smart environments, recently announced the Future Hires Program (FHP). FHP is a workforce development strategy that guarantees jobs for select students enrolled in their first year of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) associate degree programs at CareerConnect partner schools.

Through its CareerConnect program, Johnson Controls donates resources and tools to partnering schools to simulate the work environment and enhance the HVAC program curriculum. Currently, eight schools participate in the CareerConnect program, including NAIT, which is the first Canadian school to participate. Students selected to participate in the Future Hires Program will receive tuition aid to put toward their second year educational costs. Graduates will work in one of six technical positions with Johnson Controls. Some students may be required to relocate for their position, and will receive a relocation package. Once in their positions, participants can expect additional training to continue their professional growth.

"We hope to attract more talent to the HVAC field by investing in promising students," said Steve Sloane, vice president of North American service operations, Johnson Controls. "Our primary goal is to increase the number of skilled service professionals entering the workforce and joining the Johnson Controls team." An increased demand to transform buildings into smart environments has contributed to the growing need for service technicians. According to employment projections reported by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the total number of HVAC-related skilled trade positions will jump from 291,000 in 2006 to more than 317,000 by 2016. FHP students will be selected by spring 2008 and are scheduled to join the technical workforce in 2009, reveals the company’s press release.