N.C. Community College System Reports Strong Year for Flagship NCEdge Customized Training Program

NCEdge Customized Training served 30,000-plus trainees as North Carolina continues meteoric business surge

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), a network of 58 colleges serving all 100 counties, recently released its 2024-25 annual report for the NCEdge Customized Training Program, NCCCS's workforce development initiative delivering tailored workforce training to businesses located within the state. The report – which confirms significant year-over-year growth in trainee volume – outlines expenditures, industries served, training activities and project completions. Both job and training growth ensued statewide even in the midst of major political transitions at both the federal and state levels.

Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, the College System supported 319 total workforce development projects serving 848 new and existing companies across the state, with expenditures reaching $14 million, and it upskilled/reskilled more than 30,000 trainees to meet employer demand. NCEdge supported 27 more projects and trained nearly 1,000 more individuals in 2024-25 than the prior year, a result of sizable statewide relocation or expansion projects across verticals like aerospace, biotech, and advanced manufacturing.

"The workforce development programs led by the North Carolina Community College System are critical to attracting major employers and supporting expansions across the state," said Jeff Cox, President of NCCCS. "By equipping businesses with the skilled talent they need, we're helping drive economic growth and creating high-quality jobs for our communities."

Between 2024-25, the System ran customized training projects across 26 industries, including life sciences; plastics and chemicals; food and beverage; machinery and equipment; and warehousing and distribution, among others.

Major customized training projects for the year include direct partnerships with JetZero (aerospace), Genentech (biotech), Amazon (cloud computing), and PPG (aerospace), with those four projects alone creating nearly 16,000 new jobs and driving $16 billion in new investment into the state. NCEdge helps secure and sustain these high-profile job announcements – providing training that drives productivity and prepares companies for additional growth or production shifts.

"NCEdge continues to be one of North Carolina's most powerful tools for supporting business and industry," said John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development for NCCCS. "By aligning the training needs of employers with the skills of our workforce, we are not only helping companies grow but also creating pathways for North Carolinians across the state to access high-quality jobs."

During the state's fiscal year, NCEdge directed $7 million toward job-growth projects, engaging more than 14,500 individuals at 177 companies, and allocated $2.17 million to 112 productivity-enhancement projects, benefiting over 6,700 trainees. The program also set aside more than $730,000 for technology-focused training, helping nearly 1,500 workers operate new equipment and systems.

North Carolina's business- and trainee-friendly environment was also recently showcased, as the state claimed CNBC's coveted title of "America's Top State for Business" (the third time in four years). The title underscores the state's ability to blend economic dynamism with workforce strength and ability.

"NCEdge is a leading example of how community colleges drive economic development – connecting education and training directly to the needs of business and industry," said Betty Silver, Associate Vice President and Director of the NCEdge program. "We're excited for equally impressive results during our next fiscal year."

Research conducted as part of this assessment also indicates that participants continue to see value in NCCCS's offerings. Ninety-seven percent of participating companies rated their training "excellent" or "very good" for meeting expectations and overall impact. Ninety-six percent rated it "excellent" or "very good" for preparing employees to improve productivity.

Alongside NCEdge, the College System also boosts workforce and economic development through ApprenticeshipNC, which builds employer talent pipelines; the Small Business Center Network, which supports entrepreneurs statewide; and BioNetwork, which delivers specialized life sciences training. Together, these initiatives equip businesses with the skilled, diversified workforce needed to grow.

About the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS)
The North Carolina Community College System is a network of 58 community colleges created to improve the quality of life across North Carolina by opening the door to opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, and develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce. The Community College System's Economic Development Division provides education, training, and support services for new, expanding and existing business and industry across all 100 North Carolina counties. Learn more at nccommunitycolleges.edu.

About NCEdge Customized Training
NCEdge, launched in 1958, is the North Carolina Community College System's customized training program, delivered through 58 colleges at 150-plus sites statewide. The program partners with businesses to provide tailored upskilling and reskilling, helping employees master new technologies and boost productivity. Over the past four years, NCEdge has trained more than 100,000 North Carolinians, growing from 21,700 participants in 2020–2021 to nearly 30,000 in 2023–2024. Supported by permanent state funding, NCEdge is a cornerstone of North Carolina's workforce and economic development strategy. Learn more at ncedge.org.

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SOURCE North Carolina Community College System