SCRANTON — A new space at Johnson College will give students room for hands-on experience on electrical, heating and air-conditioning equipment that will prepare them for careers outside the classroom.
Officials at the college in North Scranton formally opened the 6,100-square-foot addition to the former heating, ventilation and air-conditioning laboratory, now named Bracey Hall, Wednesday morning.
The addition doubles the existing building that houses the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program to include laboratory and classroom space for students to learn the ins and outs of HVAC equipment. Electricity and building classes will also be taught in the space.
Some of the equipment, including electrical circuits, air-conditioning units and refrigerators of varying sizes, was displayed during Wednesday’s unveiling.
In her remarks, college President and CEO Katie Pittelli said the newly expanded Bracey Hall will help the college prepare students for the changing workplace.
“The world of technology evolves at an incredibly rapid pace. As the region’s only two-year technical college, we have a responsibility to ensure that our facilities, equipment and programs evolve alongside it,” she said. “This building, Bracey Hall, will help us do just that.”
It also gives the college the chance to serve the increasing demand for skilled technicians and technologists, Pittelli said. The number of jobs for heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 9% between 2023 and 2033, with about 42,500 openings anticipated each year, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
College officials announced the expansion in late 2023, with construction beginning last year. The addition was financed by the college’s “Innovation at Work” capital campaign, which has raised more than $7 million toward construction — including the 19,000-square-foot Ideal Saldi Hall, which opened last spring — scholarships and a campus feasibility study. A large portion of the campaign was funded by the Bracey family, who own Bracey Inc. in Covington Twp., which operates ShopRites in Moosic, Daleville and Mount Pocono.
The college also received a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant and a $280,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for the expansion.
Students gather during the Bracey Hall Debut at Johnson College Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
An HVAC classroom in Bracey Hall at Johnson College Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Johnson College alumnus and HVAC Program Director Walter Wood speaks during the Bracey Hall Debut at Johnson College Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A storage closet in Bracey Hall holds materials for students at Johnson College in Scranton Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
President and CEO of Johnson College Katie Pittelli speaks during the Bracey Hall Debut at Johnson College Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Director of Operations for Bracey Incorporated Laura Bracey speaks during the Bracey Hall Debut at Johnson College Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Laura Bracey, the company’s director of operations, wants students to gain additional skills besides the hands-on ones.
“Beyond the technical skills, we also hope students learn the value of perseverance, integrity and service to others,” she said.
Walter Wood, the college’s building trades division chair and HVAC program director, said the expanded Bracey Hall will prepare students for various industries locally and around the world.
“As we continue to see remarkable growth in our HVAC and electrical construction technology programs, this new space will allow us to further support the development of skilled technicians ready to meet the ever-growing demand in the field,” he said.
Wood, who was part of the first graduating class of HVAC students in 2011, added the space creates an environment that will foster innovation, teamwork and excellence. He said before Wednesday’s unveiling the expansion allows the HVAC program to bring in additional equipment that enhances students’ training.
It will also accommodate more students in the growing program, which Wood said has quadrupled since he began working at the college in 2018. There are 82 students enrolled this year in the program.
Skyler LeClere, who is studying HVAC and carpentry, likes the additional space he and his classmates get with the expansion. Prior to the construction, the Beach Lake resident said he and his classmates were learning in small areas.
“It’s awesome because now there’s room in there to be able to do work,” he said.