Building Automation Training Program in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast. There's $3.7 billion in planned commercial development across the metro area. Every one of those new buildings — and most of the existing ones — runs on building automation systems. The people who install, program, and maintain those systems are in short supply. Stacks+Joules is launching a free training program in Charlotte to change that.

A New Program for Charlotte — Launching March 30, 2026

Stacks+Joules is bringing its 14-week building automation training program to Charlotte, NC. The first cohort launches March 30, 2026. The program is run in partnership with Goodwill and led by Fran, who's building Charlotte's program from the ground up.

This is a brand-new program. First cohort. Ground floor. If you're 18–24, live in the Charlotte metro, and want to learn a skilled trade with real employer demand behind it — this is the opportunity.

The program is free. Completely free. Stacks+Joules is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. There's no tuition, no hidden fees, no income share agreements.

What You'll Learn

The Charlotte program covers the same comprehensive curriculum that's been proven in Stacks+Joules' established New York City program:

Python programming — the language behind modern building automation platforms

Niagara N4 — the industry-standard BAS integration framework

HVAC and air handling — understanding the mechanical systems you'll be automating

Low-voltage wiring and networking — the physical layer that connects everything

LCA EE101 lighting controls certification — an industry credential included in the program

EPA 608 refrigerant certification — a federal requirement for working with refrigerants

Professional development — interview skills, workplace communication, career planning

After 14 weeks, graduates enter a paid internship with a BAS employer in the Charlotte area, followed by job placement support.

Why Charlotte Is the Right Market

Most people don't realize this: Charlotte is one of the strongest building automation markets in the country. Here's why.

Honeywell — one of the largest building automation manufacturers in the world — is headquartered in Charlotte. Trane Technologies has its North American headquarters in Davidson, NC, just north of the city. Siemens operates its CATCH training facility in the region. These aren't satellite offices. These are corporate and regional headquarters for companies that build and sell the systems that go into commercial buildings everywhere.

That concentration of BAS manufacturers means Charlotte has a deeper bench of employer demand than most cities its size. Add to that the local contractors and integrators — McKenney's (with offices at 3601 Performance Road, confirmed as an employer partner for this program), Charlotte Temperature Controls, CMS Controls, and EMCOR Services — and you have a market that needs trained BAS technicians at every level.

Charlotte's commercial building boom makes the demand even sharper. Uptown, South End, and the River District are all seeing major development. The Bank of America Corporate Center — the tallest building in North Carolina — is one of hundreds of large commercial buildings across the metro that rely on building automation. University campuses like UNC Charlotte, Queens University, and Johnson C. Smith all run BAS infrastructure. So do Charlotte's major healthcare systems.

Charlotte's Energy and Sustainability Push

Charlotte doesn't have a regulation like New York City's Local Law 97. But the city has its own drivers pushing BAS demand.

Charlotte holds LEED Gold certification as a city — one of the few in the country. The Envision Charlotte initiative has been pushing commercial building efficiency in Uptown for years. Duke Energy runs efficiency programs that incentivize building owners to upgrade their automation systems.

These aren't mandates. They're market forces. Building owners in Charlotte are upgrading because it saves money, meets tenant expectations, and qualifies for utility incentives. The work still has to get done by someone who knows how.

What the Money Looks Like in Charlotte

The average HVAC technician in the Charlotte metro earns about $31 per hour — roughly $65,000 a year. BAS technicians with automation and controls skills typically command a premium over general HVAC techs.

Entry-level positions in the Charlotte market start around $47,000. Senior BAS engineers and project managers earn $80,000 or more. With experience, certifications, and the right employer, the ceiling goes higher.

Charlotte's cost of living is significantly lower than cities like New York, which means that salary goes further. A BAS career in Charlotte offers a strong quality of life from day one.

First Cohort — Get In Early

This is Charlotte's first Stacks+Joules cohort. That matters. The program is new, the employer partnerships are being built right now, and the first group of graduates will be entering a market that's hungry for trained people.

In New York City, where the program has been running longer, 92% of graduates are still with their employer after one year. That track record is what Stacks+Joules is bringing to Charlotte.

The industry is short-staffed and getting shorter. The technicians who built Charlotte's existing BAS infrastructure are aging out. The new buildings going up need people who can commission and maintain modern systems. There's a window here for people who are willing to learn.

Apply to the Charlotte Program

It's free. It ends with a paid internship at a BAS employer in the Charlotte area.

If you live in the Charlotte metro, apply through our partner Goodwill.