If you’re managing a facility team or running a controls company, you already know the truth: your technician pipeline is broken. You can’t hire fast enough. You can’t train deep enough. And the guys you do bring in? Most aren’t ready to hit a jobsite for months.
Meanwhile, projects stall, your experienced techs are overwhelmed, and you’re forced to choose between burning out your top performers or leaving revenue on the table.
Smart Buildings Academy’s 11-Week Workforce Development Program is the fix. It’s fast, tactical, and built for one purpose: to take green workers and make them jobsite-ready in less than three months. If you’re tired of traditional trade schools that waste time and don’t deliver, this is your solution.
Why You Can’t Wait for Trade Schools to Catch Up
Traditional trade schools are outdated. Their curriculums are bloated. Their instructors are often out of the field. And worst of all, they move at a snail’s pace.
You don’t have time for two-year programs that deliver students with zero real-world experience. You need people who can pull wire, mount controllers, configure systems, and contribute to projects now.
The reality is that most schools don’t understand building automation. They lump it in with generic electrical or HVAC training. That’s not good enough. The skills gap is growing every quarter, and if you’re not actively building your own talent pipeline, you will get left behind.
What Makes SBA’s Program Different
Smart Buildings Academy didn’t build a program for schools. They built a system for employers. Over 11 weeks, their Workforce Development Program turns entry-level hires into 80 percent billable BAS technicians. It’s designed around how real jobsites operate and what control systems demand.
Weeks 1–2: Online, Instructor-Led Training
The first two weeks are 100 percent remote. Students log in from anywhere and are coached live by an instructor. They cover:
- Electrical and IT basics
- HVAC system sequencing
- Building automation fundamentals
- Controller wiring, I/O points, graphics, trends, and alarms
- Networking and field bus configuration
This creates a solid technical foundation fast.
Week 3: In the Field 2 Days a Week
By Week 3, students are on the jobsite two days per week. They start wiring panels, mounting devices, and working under mentor supervision. Real-world exposure kicks in immediately.
Weeks 4–11: Field Deployment 4 Days a Week
From Week 4 onward, students are in the field four days per week. At this stage, most are handling device installs, low-voltage wiring, point-to-point checks, and controller setup. They’re productive and billable while still receiving structured guidance.
Built-In Support for Employers
This isn’t a drop-off program where you’re left guessing. SBA gives you the tools to onboard and support your new techs without disrupting project flow.
- Mentor Support Framework: Employers get a step-by-step mentor facilitation guide so your experienced techs know exactly how to coach without losing time.
- Lab Kits: Students train with a kit that includes controllers, software, relays, sensors, actuators, and wiring gear. You can buy it yourself or order through SBA.
- Skills Assessments: Each student is tested before and after the program so you know what they’ve learned and where they’re strong. No guesswork. No fluff.
What Facility and Controls Leaders Really Want
If you manage a controls business or a large facility operation, here’s what really matters:
- Billable labor
- Reduced rework
- Faster project timelines
- Scalable technician teams
- ROI on training investments
SBA’s program delivers on all five. Students become 80 percent billable by Week 4. That means fewer delays, more jobsite productivity, and better margins. And because they’re training while working, you’re not losing hours to classroom time with no return.
This is real-world, field-proven training that scales. Multiple employers across the country have used SBA’s program to create entire technician pipelines that can onboard and deploy new talent year-round.
The Bottom Line
The technician shortage isn’t going away. Most programs take too long. Most graduates don’t have field experience. You can’t afford to wait anymore.
Smart Buildings Academy’s 11-Week Workforce Development Program is a direct response to the technician crisis. It’s fast, focused, and it works. If you’re serious about solving your labor gap and scaling your field team, this is your competitive edge.
Visit Smart Buildings Academy to learn more or lock in seats for your team today.
