MILWAUKEE, WI -- Johnson Controls announced plans to expand its workforce development efforts with the launch of a dedicated data center training institute at its Advanced Development and Engineering Center (JADEC) in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.

Expected to open in early 2027, the institute will provide hands-on training to prepare service technicians for the demands of high-density data centers.

Meeting the demands of modern, high-density environments requires advanced thermal management and specialized field expertise. Johnson Controls combines both through its technology portfolio and global network of more than 40,000 field technicians. The new institute will help expand that expertise to meet growing customer expectations.

“Our teams are building hands-on expertise around the systems and real-world conditions that power today’s high-density data centers,” said Todd Grabowski, president, North America, Johnson Controls. “As demand accelerates and environments grow more complex, our continued investment in talent helps customers scale faster, execute consistently and keep mission-critical operations running reliably. We are focused on staying ahead of that change so our customers can move at the pace their businesses require.”

JADEC spans seven acres and includes more than 20 specialized labs, supporting over 1,000 test runs each month under real-world operating conditions. By housing the training institute within JADEC, dedicated data center technicians will be trained alongside ongoing product innovation, accelerating knowledge transfer from development to deployment while helping customers keep pace with rapidly growing AI infrastructure demands.

The training program will include:

Hands on training on advanced thermal management technologies used in high density data centers, including the company’s YORK YVAM air cooled chillers and Silent-Aire coolant distribution units (CDUs) which remove heat directly from servers. These technologies help customers manage rising energy demand while reducing non IT energy use by up to 50 percent and significantly reducing or eliminating on site cooling related water use.

Practical instruction focused on commissioning, maintenance and repair of equipment for mission-critical environments

Defined career pathways for existing employees looking to upskill, new hires and HVAC professionals transitioning into data center roles

Johnson Controls views service technician roles as an opportunity to build meaningful, long-term careers within one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

“I’ve spent more than 40 years in this industry, and service technician roles today are among the most important and rewarding careers in our field,” said Buddy Saucier, vice president, HVAC Service Operations, Johnson Controls. “The work is meaningful and the demand is growing fast. Data centers don’t run without skilled technicians, and as technology advances, demand for that expertise only continues to rise. This training center will set technicians up for long, meaningful careers while delivering the reliability and support customers depend on every single day.”

The new institute builds on Johnson Controls workforce development efforts, including STEM 101, which engages more than 35,000 middle school students annually; a Lincoln Tech partnership across 18 U.S. campuses; the JCI Academy; and the HVAC Data Center Apprentice JCI Academy in Denver. Johnson Controls has also committed $15 million through its Community College Partnership Program, supporting 30 community colleges across North America with renewable grants, hands-on learning pathways and employee mentorship.

To learn more about how Johnson Controls is advancing the data center industry, visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/industries/data-centers.