In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a devastating Category 2 hurricane that hit North Carolina in late September of 2024, residents in 27 counties in the western region of the state are still navigating the challenges of recovery this holiday season — in both their personal and professional lives. The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and its network of 58 community colleges have been among the many state agencies that are stepping up to support business leaders and members of the workforce in creative ways to help region’s economy recover and return to full operations.
An Award-Winning Customized Training Program
Through its award-winning customized training program, NCEdge, NCCCS has partnered with its network of 58 community colleges and businesses across the state for over 65 years. NCEdge equips roughly 30,000 members of the workforce each year with essential skills to grow in their careers in the Tarheel State. The program is known for its ability to adapt to evolving business needs, creating new training initiatives and adjusting existing ones to meet the demands of emerging technologies, current employees and external challenges. This flexibility makes NCEdge and the community college system a crucial partner in the state’s economy and in driving workforce development, in all seasons.
NCEdge’s Role in Workforce Recovery
NCEdge, in partnership with local community colleges such as Mayland Community College and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech), initiated assessments immediately after the storm to assess and prioritize workforce needs for the most impacted employers. These colleges, with their deep community ties, provided critical insights into specific challenges and played a pivotal role in mobilizing resources, providing temporary logistics coordination and recruiting trainers. As partners, the group worked hand-in-hand to ensure a timely and effective response to emerging workforce needs in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
Simultaneously, the viability of existing customized training programs was assessed with a focus on overcoming challenges like damaged infrastructure, restricted travel routes and unreliable internet connections. The individual colleges provided critical support in helping NCEdge to quickly adapt its training programs to meet immediate workforce demands, ensuring that workers received the necessary training to help drive the region’s recovery forward.
Aligning Training with Unique Industry Demands
Building on these initial assessments, the need to establish adaptable training programs for both immediate recovery and future growth became clear. Whether in advanced manufacturing, information technology, safety or skilled trades like construction and electrical work, NCEdge, with the support of local colleges, developed new training solutions as a result of the storm’s impact. These programs focused on addressing skills gaps that emerged after the storm, such as shortages in key areas like construction, logistics and technical support, ensuring that local businesses could meet critical needs as they resumed operations. By quickly equipping workers with new skills, these programs helped to stabilize the workforce, making it possible for businesses to recover more efficiently and plan for the future.
To enhance accessibility, the team integrated only immediately available technologies into the strategy. While some areas with better road access could host in-person training sessions, areas facing logistical challenges received alternative methods such as online or satellite sessions. Community colleges were vital in identifying and sharing technology resources, ensuring that all businesses, no matter how impacted by the storm, could access the timely training programs. In areas where reliable internet access was unavailable, in-person training sessions were offered as a substitute for virtual ones.
Promoting Employee Well-Being
Recognizing the critical role of mental health stability in long-term workforce recovery, NCEdge, in partnership with community colleges, expanded its offerings to address the emotional challenges employees face when returning to work after significant events such as the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. For example, A-B Tech’s customized classes provided employees with tools to address trauma and stress management, helping them navigate the emotional toll of the disaster.
As businesses resumed operations and continued workforce training, the program delivered mental health education through new virtual training programs designed to support the management of teams going through traumatic emotional recovery. This curriculum was developed to equip team leaders with tools to identify signs of trauma, promote open communication and cultivate a supportive work environment. It also emphasized stress management, active listening and offered a professional framework for leaders and colleagues to provide emotional support to those navigating the storm’s aftermath.
Small Businesses Receive Their Own Approach
In addition to the work of the NCEdge program, NCCCS’s Small Business Center Network (SBCN) has also been instrumental in supporting the reopening of the region’s small businesses. By assisting with securing state and federal grants, low-interest loans and providing technical support, SBCN has adapted its resources to help small business owners navigate the complexities of disaster relief. Through workshops and consultations, SBCN has been critical to delivering support to businesses at the micro and small scales as they have moved to restore operations, ensuring their recovery and long-term viability.
A Unified Approach to Regional Workforce Recovery
The complete economic recovery of Western North Carolina is a multi-faceted challenge that requires collaboration across sectors. This partnership between NCCCS and its community colleges has been a significant key to the workforce side of this massive this effort. By taking a unified approach, the North Carolina Community College System has not only addressed immediate recovery needs but also laid the foundation for long-term resilience.
