MILWAUKEE — Johnson Controls has awarded $3 million in grants to 30 U.S. community colleges for the 2026-2027 academic year to expand technical education and workforce development.

The funding supports the company's Community College Partnership Program (CCPP), which prepares students for careers in HVAC, fire protection, security, and digital technologies.

The grants will help colleges expand training programs, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and address barriers to student success. Funding can also cover needs such as emergency transportation and childcare.

Johnson Controls launched the program in 2021. Since then, the company has invested $15 million in community colleges and technical schools, partnering with 38 institutions nationwide.

The program has supported more than 5,800 students and celebrated more than 2,300 graduates. In 2025, Johnson Controls hired 108 graduates from participating colleges.

The program combines financial assistance with employee mentorship, career guidance, and exposure to industry opportunities. Johnson Controls employees also volunteer as mentors and guest educators, bringing industry experience into classrooms.

The latest grants support institutions across the country, including Henry Ford College in Detroit and Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology in Boston. Both are returning program partners.

Other 2026-27 recipients include Clover Park Technical College in Washington, Cypress College and Riverside Community College in California, and Honolulu Community College in Hawaii.

The remaining recipients are Hillsborough College in Florida, Los Rios Community College in California, Midlands Technical College in South Carolina and Rosedale Technical College in Pennsylvania.

Johnson Controls said the grants are tailored to the needs of participating institutions and their communities. Colleges can use the funding to help students access training, complete educational programs and prepare for technical careers.

The investment comes as employers across manufacturing, construction and other technical industries face growing demand for skilled workers.

"Across the country, employers are facing a growing need for skilled talent, while many students are looking for clear pathways to meaningful careers," said Todd Grabowski, president of the Americas at Johnson Controls.

The company said its community college partnerships are intended to strengthen connections between technical education and employment while expanding access to skilled trades careers.