North Carolina Community College System Achieves Record Growth in NCEdge Customized Training Program

North Carolina Community College System Reports Record Year for NCEdge Customized Training Program

The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), which comprises a network of 58 colleges catering to all 100 counties, has recently showcased incredible year-on-year progress in its NCEdge Customized Training Program. The report for the fiscal year 2024-25 emphasizes substantial increases in trainees, financial expenditures, and project completions, even amidst significant political changes at both federal and state levels.

Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, more than 30,000 trainees have benefitted from this tailored workforce development initiative. The program has successfully engaged in 319 workforce development projects that catered to 848 new and established companies while allocating a whopping $14 million in expenditures. This marks a notable increase from the previous year, with NCEdge facilitating an additional 27 projects and training nearly 1,000 more individuals.

The growth can be attributed to a surge in business relocations and expansions across various sectors, most notably aerospace, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. Jeff Cox, the President of NCCCS, remarked, "The workforce development programs led by NCCCS are pivotal in attracting major employers and encouraging expansion in our state. By providing businesses with skilled labor, we are sparking economic growth and creating high-quality job opportunities within our communities."

Throughout the fiscal year, NCEdge executed customized training projects across 26 industries, covering areas such as life sciences, plastics, food and beverage, machinery, and warehousing. Noteworthy collaborations with prominent companies such as JetZero in aerospace, Genentech in biotech, Amazon in cloud computing, and PPG in aerospace have yielded an impressive outcome. These projects alone generated nearly 16,000 new jobs and spurred $16 billion in state investment.

John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development for NCCCS, commented, "NCEdge remains one of North Carolina's most significant tools for fostering business and industrial growth. By connecting the training requirements of employers with the skillsets of our workforce, we're not just facilitating company expansion but also empowering citizens across the state to secure high-quality job opportunities."

Over the fiscal year, NCEdge dedicated $7 million towards job-growth projects, engaging more than 14,500 trainees from 177 companies. Additionally, over $2.17 million was allocated to enhancing productivity through 112 projects, benefiting over 6,700 individuals. Moreover, a focus on technology-related training saw more than $730,000 dedicated to helping approximately 1,500 workers manage new technologies and systems effectively.

North Carolina's agenda for fostering a business-friendly environment garnered commendation when the state claimed CNBC's prestigious title of "America's Top State for Business" for the third time in four years. This accolade reflects the state's prowess in merging economic vitality with workforce strength.

Betty Silver, Associate Vice President and Director of NCEdge, stated, "NCEdge exemplifies how community colleges can drive economic growth by directly linking education and training to business and industry needs. We anticipate equally promising results in the upcoming fiscal year."

Research associated with this assessment revealed that participating companies found immense value in the training provided. A remarkable 97% rated their training experience as "excellent" or "very good", emphasizing its effectiveness in meeting expectations and overall impact. Additionally, 96% rated it as exceptional for enhancing employee productivity.

Apart from NCEdge, the North Carolina Community College System also bolsters economic and workforce development through several other initiatives including ApprenticeshipNC, which enhances employer talent pipelines; the Small Business Center Network which aids entrepreneurs across the state; and BioNetwork which provides specialized training in life sciences. Collectively, these programs ensure that businesses access a skilled and diverse workforce necessary for growth.

In summary, the NCEdge Customized Training Program represents a vital component of North Carolina’s strategy for workforce development and economic prosperity. With a proven model for training employees and driving business success, NCCCS is set on a promising path towards continued achievements in the coming years.