News Summary
North Carolina’s workforce development initiatives have seen substantial growth through the NCEdge Customized Training Program, which supported over 30,000 individuals in upskilling and reskilling during the current fiscal year. With a budget of $14 million, the program partnered with 848 companies across 26 industries, creating nearly 16,000 new jobs and attracting $16 billion in investments. The state’s recognition as CNBC’s ‘Top State for Business’ further highlights the success of these training efforts in driving economic expansion and job growth.
Raleigh, North Carolina – September 9, 2025
North Carolina has reported substantial growth in workforce development initiatives through its NCEdge Customized Training Program during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, supporting more than 30,000 individuals in upskilling and reskilling efforts amidst ongoing economic expansion.
Significant Program Growth and Investment
The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), which encompasses 58 colleges serving all 100 counties across the state, released its 2024-25 annual report revealing notable increases in training volume and project scope. From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the NCEdge program backed 319 workforce development projects across North Carolina, partnering with 848 companies ranging from small local businesses to major corporations.
The program allocated approximately $14 million toward these projects, further enabling training initiatives that reached a broad spectrum of industries. In particular, more than 30,000 individuals participated in training programs designed to meet employer demand, marking a rise of nearly 1,000 trainees compared to the previous year.
Industry Diversity and Major Partnerships
The projects span across 26 different industries, including critical sectors such as life sciences, plastics and chemicals, food and beverage, machinery and equipment, and warehousing and distribution. Some of the most prominent collaborations involved leading companies like JetZero in aerospace, Genentech in biotechnology, Amazon in cloud computing, and PPG in aerospace manufacturing.
These major partnerships have contributed significantly to North Carolina’s economic growth, collectively generating nearly 16,000 new jobs and attracting approximately $16 billion in new investments.
Targeted Training and Job Growth
During the current fiscal year, the NCEdge program dedicated $7 million toward projects focused on fostering job growth, resulting in engagement with over 14,500 individuals at 177 companies. Additionally, about $2.17 million was invested in productivity-enhancement projects benefiting more than 6,700 trainees.
Technology-focused initiatives received investments of around $730,000, supporting roughly 1,500 workers in acquiring new technological skills aligned with industry needs.
Recognition and Satisfaction
North Carolina’s economic health has been recognized nationally, with the state earning the title of “America’s Top State for Business” by CNBC for the third time in four years. The state’s workforce development efforts have been well received, with 97% of participating companies rating their training as “excellent” or “very good.” Similarly, 96% of companies felt the training effectively prepared employees to improve productivity.
Broader Workforce Development Initiatives and Historical Context
The NCEdge program complements other NCCCS initiatives such as ApprenticeshipNC, the Small Business Center Network, and BioNetwork, all aimed at advancing workforce skills and economic growth throughout North Carolina. Over the last four years, the program has trained more than 100,000 individuals, expanding from 21,700 participants in 2020-2021 to nearly 30,000 in 2023-2024.
Supported by permanent state funding, the NCEdge Customized Training Program remains a central component in North Carolina’s comprehensive strategy to foster employment opportunities, develop industry-specific skills, and sustain economic progress across the state.
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Additional Resources
- JD Supra: Taking the Pulse – A Health Care and Life
- Wikipedia: Workforce development
- PR Newswire: NC Community College System Reports Strong Year
- Google Search: NCEdge Customized Training Program
- BizFayetteville: NCEdge Customized Training at Sandhills Community College
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community College
- Journal Patriot: What’s Ahead for NC Community Colleges
- Google Scholar: North Carolina Community Colleges
- WCNC: North Carolina Workforce Development Push
- Google News: North Carolina Workforce Programs
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
