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    1. Learning Resources

    Johnson Controls Opens Ducted Systems Academy

    Dec. 18, 2020
    In-person attendance is limited, but a virtual option is offered. Content includes training for technical, sales, leadership and professional development.

    MILWAUKEE – (December 15, 2020) – Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart and sustainable buildings and the architect of OpenBlue connected solutions, has opened its new, state-of-the-art Ducted Systems Academy in Oklahoma City, OK, offering world-class commercial and residential HVAC training. The first-of-its-kind 30,000 square-foot training facility features two large classrooms and two extensive training labs, offering remote and hands-on classes, including virtual reality training.

    The virtual reality training places students in real-life field conditions, such as on a roof servicing a large commercial rooftop unit, or in a residential home installing a gas furnace or air conditioning system. This simulates real-life experiences without having to be in close physical contact with the instructor.

    JCI
    The training labs feature all residential and commercial equipment that is manufactured at Johnson Controls facilities in Norman, OK, and Wichita, KS.
    The training labs feature all residential and commercial equipment that is manufactured at Johnson Controls facilities in Norman, OK, and Wichita, KS.
    “It’s estimated that by 2028, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will be left unfilled, with more than half due to retirements,” said Scott Nelmark, director, ducted systems learning & development, Johnson Controls. “In order to help fill this gap, Johnson Controls remains dedicated to training the next generation of the HVAC workforce, which the Ducted Systems Academy will help fuel through cutting-edge training.” 
    The first-of-its-kind 30,000 square-foot training facility features two large classrooms and two extensive training labs, offering remote and hands-on classes, including virtual reality training.
    The first-of-its-kind 30,000 square-foot training facility features two large classrooms and two extensive training labs, offering remote and hands-on classes, including virtual reality training.
    The Academy provides training is provided for technical, sales, leadership and professional development disciplines. Participants learn best practices and tools for success in the HVAC industry, including how to:
    • Partner with customers and understand their needs to best position products and services to win their business
    • Properly select and apply Ducted Systems products
    • Efficiently install, set up and service Ducted Systems equipment from 1.5 to 150 tons of capacity
    • Manage their schedule and their team of employees
    • Work through difficult situations, such as disruptions related to COVID-19.
    Johnson Controls
    Scott Nelmark
    Scott Nelmark
    Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Johnson Controls increased the number of remote courses offered and launched LabStreaming courses. During these live virtual classes attended by hundreds of customers each session, distance learners are provided instruction as if they were present in the lab. For technical courses, procedures are demonstrated on live residential and commercial equipment, with participants able to ask questions and engage with the instructor in real-time. “I have never seen competitors' equipment unless it was installed already in a
    Johnson Controls
    Section of the Ducted Systems Academy commercial lab.
    Section of the Ducted Systems Academy commercial lab.

    home. Being able to stack them up side-by-side and compare the pros and cons made me feel much better about the competition that’s out there,” said Shannon Easton, comfort specialist, B. Carlson Heating Cooling and Plumbing, when discussing a Ducted Systems Academy equipment course. “I believe in Johnson Controls and this course solidified it for me. I would recommend this to any salesperson in the industry.”

    In-person classes, which are limited to nine students each, are also provided in the two large training labs and classrooms, where masks and social distancing are required. The training labs feature all residential and commercial equipment that is manufactured at Johnson Controls facilities in Norman, OK, and Wichita, KS, for YORK®, Luxaire®, Coleman®, Champion®, TempMaster® and Fraser-Johnston®. For residential, this includes all gas furnaces, air handlers, heat pumps, air conditioning systems and packaged equipment. The commercial systems used in the training center range from smaller 3-6 ton packaged rooftop units to the newly expanded 25-80 ton Premier platform.

    Johnson Controls
    Section of the Ducted Systems Academy residential lab.
    Section of the Ducted Systems Academy residential lab.
    All equipment is fully functional for hands-on training. This is a unique industry differentiator, that allows learners to conduct product start-ups, practice diagnostic procedures and become comfortable with all facets of product operation in a safe, controlled environment. 

    Additional information HERE.

    In December 2020, Johnson Controls officially opened the doors to its new, state-of-the-art Ducted Systems Academy in Oklahoma, City, OK, providing JCI dealers with world-class commercial and residential HVAC training. The first-of-its-kind 30,000 sq.ft. training facility features two large classrooms and two extensive training labs, offering remote and hands-on classes, including virtual reality training.

    The virtual reality training places students in real-life field conditions, such as on a roof servicing a large commercial rooftop unit, or in a residential home installing a gas furnace or air conditioning system. This simulates real-life experiences without having to be in close physical contact with the instructor.

    “It’s estimated that by 2028, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will be left unfilled, with more than half due to retirements,” said Scott Nelmark, director, ducted systems learning and development, Johnson Controls. “In order to help fill this gap, Johnson Controls remains dedicated to training the next generation of the HVAC workforce, which the Ducted Systems Academy will help fuel through cutting-edge training.”

    The Academy provides training is provided for technical, sales, leadership and professional development disciplines. Participants learn best practices and tools for success in the HVAC industry, including how to:

    • Partner with customers and understand their needs to best position products and services to win their business
    • Properly select and apply Ducted Systems products
    • Efficiently install, set up and service Ducted Systems equipment from 1.5 to 150 tons of capacity
    • Manage their schedule and their team of employees
    • Work through difficult situations, such as disruptions related to COVID-19.

    The decision to proceed with building the Academy was made in 2015.

    “We had been doing live, commercial products training and training certification in cooperation with a local vocational technical school,” Nelmark explained, “and we had leased out some space next to their residential lab. This all occurred with the introduction of some larger tonnage commercial products that was too large to fit in the space we had at the vocational/technical school. The Academy provided the space necessary to include residential systems training.

    “Within that 30,000 sq. ft. space, we have every residential product that is produced in our Wichita manufacturing facility, featured live, for hands-on training. We’ve always provided technical learning on residential products, but never had opportunity to do so in a hands-on environment for our customers. When we were building out the larger space that was the time to introduce the residential products,” Nelmark said.

    Among the course offerings, Commercial Start-up and Commissioning Certification is a favorite 3-day topic. “It’s a 3-day, live, hands-on course. It equips the learner to appropriately start-up commercial products on the jobsite, and it takes the learner through the complete commissioning process, with strong emphasis on airflow set-up.”

    The second major commercial course is Commercial Application Specialist. “This is for the pre-sales folks, and includes how to select product, how to meet specifications, how to quote, understanding accessories, how they fit together, and where they’re needed. Everything from the pre-sales perspective is included in that 3-day course,” Nelmark explained.

    "The Academy was an awesome eye-opening experience. The biggest advantage was having all the major competitor’s equipment in one place," said Shannon Easton, comfort specialist with B. Carlson Heating Cooling and Plumbing. "The fact that this equipment can be torn apart and compared side by side in real time was a huge advantage in my opinion. It also shows why Coleman equipment is a cut above the competition. You can see the quality of the build from a technician’s standpoint, but also from a sales person’s standpoint. I recommend the Academy to anyone in this industry who want to get their hands on multiple brands of equipment for a side-by-side comparison.         

    Nelmark said Academy planners solicited opinions on course curriculum from employees, and customers, including distributors and contractors across North America, not just the Oklahoma region.

    “We’re always on a path to continuous improvement, always seeking feedback. If there’s something needed that we don’t do, we’re willing to consider it, and if we need to improve, we’re listening to that, too,” he said.

    The Academy opened in January 2020, but had to close during the second week of March due to the COVID pandemic. It reopened on a limited schedule in October of 2020, with COVID protocols in place for nine students at a time, including masks, distancing, temperature screening and hand sanitizers.

    The Academy has been visited by attendees of all ages and experience levels.

    “We have the 40-year veteran technician and the brand new technician just out of trade school,” Nelmark said. “That’s the challenge: to keep all engaged regardless of their experience level."