Further expanding manufacturing footprint in key emerging market
Johnson Controls employees rolled up their sleeves this week to help Detroit students who are working with the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) to help create a greener city. In partnership with Detroit’s Student Conservation Association, Johnson Controls is sponsoring the summer jobs program for the eighth year.
Volunteers from the company’s Automotive Seating headquarters in Plymouth, Mich., worked with students on environmental “greening” projects at Detroit-area community parks. Activities included planting, developing and maintaining trails, and removing invasive plant species.
The CLC provides 54 Detroit high school students with professional development, leadership skills and environmental conservation experience, while completing fundamental projects at the city’s Rouge Park and Eliza Howell Park.
“Johnson Controls is proud to sponsor this valuable program,’” said Byron Foster, vice president and general manager, Complete Seat and Strategy for Johnson Controls’ Automotive Seating division. “Students benefit greatly in two ways: by gaining hands-on work experience and in further developing their leadership skills, which is a main goal of the program.”
“Our employees truly enjoy having the opportunity to meet these enthusiastic students and work with them to make a positive impact on the city,” said Camille Chism, manager, Johnson Controls Automotive Seating, who is leading this year’s CLC employee participation.
In addition to the cleanup work, on August 13, the students participated in a professional development day hosted by Johnson Controls at the company’s office in Plymouth. They attended sessions about corporate culture, teamwork and career development including ethics, diversity and engineering.
The CLC is a six-week program where students work with crew leaders on a variety of projects throughout Detroit, including outdoor classroom construction, new trail development, green space acreage expansion, planting of native trees, grasses and flowers, invasive plant species removal and general operations management. Students also cultivate vital professional development skills, including help with resume writing and interview skills.
CLC participants are selected for this highly competitive program based on leadership, work ethic, civic engagement and interest and commitment to the environment.
