STAR JACKSON SHARES INSIGHTS CONCERNING THE SUCCESS AND GROWTH OF JSCC’S CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAM
James Sprunt Community College is strengthening the region’s workforce through its robust NCEdge Customized Training program, delivering flexible, future-ready training solutions that directly support employer needs while expanding opportunities for working adults.
NCEdge is a statewide economic development and workforce initiative available through all 58 North Carolina community colleges, serving companies across all 100 counties. The program supports eligible industries, including manufacturing, information technology, life sciences, warehousing and distribution, and customer support, by providing strategic workforce consultation, pre-employment assessments, customized post-hire training, and leadership and professional development.
At JSCC, NCEdge Customized Training is designed to meet employers where they are. Training is developed in direct response to real production and operational needs, whether that involves safety compliance, leadership development, continuous improvement, or the adoption of new technology. Courses are delivered on campus, on-site at employer locations, or in blended, flexible formats that align with shift-based work schedules.
During the 2025–2026 fiscal year, JSCC has seen strong participation in NCEdge-funded training across Duplin County. Dozens of employees have already completed customized training through multiple classes delivered both on campus and at employer sites, with additional courses scheduled through December. These offerings focus on high-impact areas such as workplace safety, leadership development, and quality and process improvement, helping companies increase productivity while ensuring employees gain practical, job-relevant skills.
JSCC also supports longer-term, company-specific workforce development through multi-year customized training projects. These projects allow employers to invest in targeted skill development aligned with long-term growth, new equipment, and evolving workforce demands, ensuring training remains relevant as operations expand or change.
JSCC’s leadership in customized training was recently highlighted at the NCEdge Conference, where Star Jackson, Director of Customized Training at James Sprunt Community College, served as a panelist in a statewide discussion on reimagining training delivery. Representing JSCC and the eastern region, Jackson contributed thought leadership on flexible, future-ready workforce models that align community college training with evolving industry demands. The session explored hybrid and technology-enhanced approaches to workforce education, emphasizing on-site training, simulation-based learning, microlearning, and competency-based models that reflect real-world manufacturing and operational environments.
These innovative approaches underscore the college’s role as a workforce partner, not just a training provider. By delivering just-in-time, employer-driven training and adapting quickly to industry needs, the college helps local businesses remain competitive while creating pathways for employees to upskill, earn credentials, and advance in their careers.
Through NCEdge Customized Training, James Sprunt Community College continues to support economic growth, strengthen the local workforce, and demonstrate how community colleges serve as essential engines for workforce innovation and opportunity. JSCC is proud of all the hard work Jackson has done to build up our Customized Training program and is excited to see her serving as an expert in her field. For more information about the amazing Customized Training opportunities we offer at JSCC, reach out to Star Jackson at sjackson@jamessrpunt.edu or (910) 659-6010.
