T.M. Bier & Associates, Inc. (TMBA), one of the New York area's leading independent controls systems engineering companies, has continued advancing its mission to help address the region's workforce development needs through a special initiative with TCI College of Technology. Specifically, TMBA assembled and programmed two Building Management System (BMS) Portable Training Hubs to be used for educational purposes by the college for introducing students to a modern day BMS. TCI offers both degree and certificate programs in this area including its Facilities Management Program. This program covers such topics as: environmental and occupational safety; building safety, security and fire protection; building physical plant and service equipment; smart building control systems, HVAC systems, blueprint reading and autoCad, and project management and cost estimations. According to TMBA president Ted Bier, P.E., "TCI's objective was to give its students a hands-on training device which provides a better understanding of building systems and how they are controlled using advanced building management systems technologies. By using the BMS Training Hubs, they will learn the role of a BMS in maintaining a building's maximum energy efficiency, comfort and safety." Bier said, "Through its academic and hands-on laboratories, TCI is developing future building engineers and technicians - the professionals that will be overseeing the performance of critical components in our office buildings, hotels, hospitals, colleges and residential properties." TMBA's Portable BMS Training Hubs showcase Schneider Electric's new BMS software, StruxureWare, a unique platform of applications and suites that provides building engineers and facility managers with greater visibility into energy and other resource use across their organizations' buildings. The Portable BMS Training Hubs were one of TMBA's first applications of this leading-edge software. When asked about the value of this learning tool for TCI's students, TCI associate provost & dean of engineering & facilities technologies Regina Cahill said, "Our students have been thrilled to be able to work with T.M. Bier in creating this building automation system trainer. TCI's focuses on hands-on training with industry current technology. The addition of the building automation system trainer simulates the technology that assists the facility manager in monitoring the integral building systems allowing the manager to reduce costs, save energy and meet the needs of the building's occupants." Dr. John McGrath, CEO and president of TCI College said, "I am excited about this new entrepreneurial initiative with the business community. Dean Regina Cahill is a very respected leader in facilities management in New York City."