Lt. Gov. Hunt explores ‘future-readiness’ at Edgecombe Community College
Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt toured workforce development programs at Edgecombe Community College (ECC) on Sept. 23 as part of her Future-Ready Community College Tour.
During the visit, Hunt toured facilities in the cosmetology, automotive, and welding departments. She also briefly spoke to students in law enforcement and health sciences classes.
One welding student, Jeremy Snyder, told the lieutenant governor that ECC has “given me all the tools I need to succeed.”
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Snyder graduated in spring 2026 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology. Now enrolled in the welding program, he hopes to open a custom fabrication and paint shop for vehicles once he completes the program.
“If you’re thinking of pursuing a trade, if you’re thinking of pursuing a four-year degree, consider a community college first,” Snyder said.
Hunt said that she had never heard such high praise of a community college before.
“These are AI-resistant trades that we are seeing, and the students could not be more excited and more congratulatory of the teachers and the staff,” Hunt said.
While more hands-on, these skilled trades incorporate technology to prepare their students. ECC staff and faculty gave the lieutenant governor a tutorial on three simulators: a bulldozer, a backhoe, and a welder.
“I loved seeing how the scores came up on the screen, and they could really read exactly what I was doing with my hand that you couldn’t see with the naked eye,” Hunt said while describing her experience with the welding simulator.
ECC has a long history of success at SkillsUSA competitions. In 2026, 65 ECC students went to the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference — the college’s largest group ever. After earning 19 medals at the state level, five of their students competed nationally and returned as champions.
“We are so grateful for the opportunities that SkillsUSA and the NASA Space Grant provide to our students and to see our students excel in those competitions at the state and national levels,” ECC President Dr. Gregory McLeod said in a statement. “It is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our instructors, support staff, donors, community partners, and, of course, the students themselves.”
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Hunt’s Future-Ready Community College Tour aims to visit all 58 of the state’s community colleges to “hear directly how the state can better support their work and highlight their strong programs.” The visits are aligned with Hunt’s policy priorities outlined in her Future-Ready North Carolina Plan.
The lieutenant governor’s plan backs Propel NC, a new funding model for the community college system that prioritizes training programs for high-demand, high-wage jobs. It also supports the Career and College-Ready Graduate program, which focuses on preparing students for community college entry-level courses before high school graduation. The plan also highlights K-12 career readiness and planning programs.
“For all that we are able to accomplish in preparing our students for the workforce and to help meet the employment needs that exist, I am most proud of and thankful for the support and collaboration we receive from our workforce partners, community supporters, and generous donors in helping us deliver the quality training that our students and employers need and want,” McLeod said.