NCEdge Hosts Three-Day Conference to Advance Economic Development and Workforce Innovation Across North Carolina

NCEdge Customized Training, a service of the North Carolina Community College System, convened leaders from across North Carolina this week for a three-day statewide conference at the Hilton Biltmore Park in Asheville. The event brought together industry partners, community college teams, and regional economic development organizations to strengthen the collaborative strategies that drive the state’s economic growth. 

This year’s theme, Future Focused and Regionally Rooted, highlights NCEdge’s commitment to preparing the workforce for tomorrow while honoring the unique strengths and priorities of each region. Through interactive workshops, roundtable discussions, and expert-led sessions, attendees explored strategies aligned with NCEdge’s mission: delivering responsive, customized training solutions that strengthen businesses, elevate talent, and expand opportunity across North Carolina. 

“North Carolina’s economic strength comes from the collaboration between our colleges, our employers, and our communities. NCEdge continues to bring those partners together in ways that create opportunity, support growth, and ensure our state remains competitive for years to come,” said John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development at the System. 

The event shed light on the transformative partnership that brought Pratt & Whitney to Western North Carolina—a success story built on strategic vision, education-industry collaboration, and community engagement.  

Attendees heard firsthand from Jack Cecil, President & CEO of Biltmore Farms, and Dan Field of Pratt & Whitney, alongside regional college presidents and economic development leaders, as they share insights on sustaining growth. 

“North Carolina’s commitment to workforce development was a key factor in our decision to expand here. Together, we’re building a talent pipeline that ensures success for generations,” said Dan Field, General Manager of Pratt & Whitney. 

The conference agenda featured sessions on catalyzing regional growth through strategic partnerships, the story behind Pratt & Whitney’s expansion and workforce investment, and best practices for strengthening collaboration across the 58 colleges. Attendees also engaged in roundtables covering college engagement, professional instructional design, data-driven insights, and innovative training models tailored to evolving industry needs. 

“Our focus is clear: equip every region with the tools and strategies to thrive. When we deliver responsive, customized solutions, we strengthen businesses, elevate talent, and expand opportunity to all regions across North Carolina,” said Betty Silver, Associate Vice President of NCEdge. 

For more information, visit NCEdge Customized Training.