Johnson Controls has opened the first in a series of Source 1 training centers to educate contractors on residential and light-commercial HVAC service and installation.

The first center to open was a 1,200-square-foot facility housed within the 55,000-square-foot Source 1 HVAC Supply Center in Earth City, Missouri. The center houses eight different HVAC units and provides hands-on classes for technicians to become York-certified, and learning opportunities for trade students.

Doug Comerio, Source 1’s regional general manager, said the center is part its contractor customer-centered activities.

“Contractors come to us every day to purchase parts, supplies and equipment,” Comerio said. “We want to support them after the sale, so the better trained they are in the application, installation, maintenance and service of our equipment, the less likely they are to encounter problems in the field.”

The training center celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as an opportunity to speak with Johnson Controls HVAC vendors and representatives. Terry Biggs, the mayor of Bridgeton, Missouri, was in attendance as well as more than 150 customers and industry professionals.

“We also want to play a role in shaping the future of our industry,” Comerio added. “This training center will serve as a pipeline for tomorrow’s HVAC technicians, strengthening our company’s commitment to educating and investing in the future of the HVAC industry.”