BALTIMORE, Maryland, Nov. 18, 2025 – The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) received a $100,000 grant, renewable for the next three years for up to a $300,000 total as part of the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program. The grant is part of Johnson Controls nationwide initiative that aims to donate up to $15 million to community colleges by the end of 2026 to expand access to high-demand technical fields. This funding strengthens on-campus training and educational pathways for emerging leaders in the HVAC, digital, fire and security sectors. In partnership with Johnson Controls, the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, CCBC continues to invest strategically in closing the skilled trades gap. Together, they are empowering the next generation of skilled professionals and building stronger, more resilient communities.
“CCBC was among the first 10 colleges to receive funds from the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership program in 2021,” says CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis. “The $350,000 we’ve received in the years since have bolstered our HVAC initiatives and allowed us to launch a Building Automation Systems certificate program that gives students a path from HVAC work to higher technology jobs managing fire, security and access systems for large facilities. We are honored that this latest grant will continue our productive partnership with Johnson Controls.”
Launched in 2021, the Community College Partnership Program is designed to support students by creating clear pathways to careers in high-demand technical fields. For example, the Bureau for Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, which includes information on about 600 occupations, notes the need for HVACR mechanics and installers is expected to grow 8% and add about 40,100 openings per year through 2034. The Community College Partnership Program is designed to, in part, address this need by meeting students where they are. Johnson Controls works with nonprofit community colleges to strengthen academic offerings in HVAC, fire protection, security and digital technologies through unique industry knowledge with the long-term goal of helping students secure family-supporting jobs. Each college receives an initial grant and is eligible for three years of renewal funding, enabling them to grow their programs and reach more students.
Johnson Controls funding support significantly augmented CCBC’s tuition free initiative for students in the HVAC and Building Automation Systems programs. These funds also enabled CCBC to invest in networking events to recruit and retain students, as well as to purchase new equipment and toolkits for students who achieve at certain levels. The renewed funding will continue to support recruitment and retention, while also creating opportunities for innovative initiatives and future projects.
Beyond financial support, Johnson Controls employees from the surrounding area will continue to engage with CCBC through mentoring programs. This ongoing collaboration offers students valuable industry insights and guidance from technicians currently working in the field, helping students explore rewarding career opportunities available after completing their training.
“The skilled trades represent a future of continuous learning and real-world impact,” said Susan Ranft, Johnson Controls Vice President of Human Resources, Americas. “Our investment in CCBC reflects our commitment to equipping students not just with technical skills, but with the mindset to lead, innovate and strengthen their communities in a rapidly evolving industry. By empowering students to build meaningful careers, we’re also helping them create lasting opportunity for their families, laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future for generations to come.”
For more information about the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program, visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporate-sustainability/social/philanthropy/community-college-partnership
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Since 1957, CCBC has opened the doors to accessible, affordable, high-quality education empowering generations of area residents to transform their lives and the lives of others. Each year, over 50,000 students enroll at the college’s main campuses, extension centers and online to make their starts, earn degrees, launch and build careers. CCBC offers the region’s most expansive selection of degree, certificate and workplace certification programs that prepare students for transfer, job entry and career advancement in such industries as business, education, health care, information technology, cybersecurity, construction, and transportation. Designated as the “Best Community College” among the Maryland Daily Record’s 2025 Reader Rankings, CCBC is also nationally recognized as a leader in innovative learning strategies and among the nation’s top associate degree producers.
Dir, Communications