Pictured l-r: Dawson Hines, ECC welding student; Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director; Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president; Bradley Moore, CEO of Top Dog Waste Solutions; Warren Lynch, lead instructor; Jean Bailey, ECC Foundation board president; Ralph CiConta, welding instructor and Johnathan Bland, ECC welding student

Top Dog Waste Solutions in Rocky Mount recently donated a total of $2,000 to the 91ӣ����Ƶ Foundation. The local trash and recycling company’s contribution will fund three distinct scholarships.

The Top Dog Welding Scholarship will provide $1,000 to students enrolled in the welding diploma program at ECC. A $500 gift will support students in business administration’s marketing certificate program and is entitled the Top Dog Marketing Scholarship. The additional $500, also referred to as the Top Dog Finance Scholarship, will sponsor qualified students enrolled in the accounting and finance-excel certificate program.

“After meeting with Mr. Bradley Moore, the chief executive officer of Top Dog Waste Solutions, it was evident that that he and the team at Top Dog Waste Solutions care about the community and want to ensure that graduates possess the skills they need to thrive in the workforce,” says Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement at ECC. “We are thankful for his generosity and for understanding that education is a pivotal starting point for economic development.”

For more information about Top Dog Waste Solutions, visit . To give to ECC, visit edgecombe.edu/give.

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Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president, completed the forklift operator training class held on June 10.

Imagine attending a training class on the ECC campus and one of your classmates is the college president!

Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president, elevated his practical skills by completing the forklift operator training class held June 10 on the Tarboro campus. By joining the class, he learned about the basic design of lift trucks, stabilization of trucks, maintenance, repair costs and safety aspects in operation.

Students are required to pass a written test and a driving test. Students who pass both tests will receive certification the day of the class. McLeod successfully obtained his forklift operator’s license.

“While I took the class to be able to help our facilities maintenance team whenever they need me, it’s a great skill and certification to have in general since forklifts are essential to the operations of so many companies and businesses,” said McLeod.

Forklift training class at ECC is scheduled monthly, with attendees meeting from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fleming building on the Tarboro campus. The next class will be held Tuesday, July 15. For more information, contact ashmanp@edgecombe.edu or .

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Students in the Natural Hair Care program study and practice chemical-free hair styling. The course is completed in seven months. In Nail Technology, there is instruction and practice in manicuring, nail building and pedicuring.

The Spring 2025 Graduates of the Natural Hair Care Night Class, pictured
(l-r) Dyneria Britt, Tyshundia Brown, Maya Robinson, Shameika Kinch, Sherita Barnes, Lakesha Askew and Dawndria Cherry.

Nail Technology graduates were (l-r) Mary Randolph and Idaya Williams

Pictured (l-r, front row) ECC president, Dr. Gregory McLeod, Jasmine Joyner, Tamaria Hollis and Natural Hair Care day class instructor, Danyella Lewis
Pictured (l-r, back row) Quandella Austin and Sabrina Hyman

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Welders are in high demand in the Edgecombe area, and 91ӣ����Ƶ is training students to meet the demand. At ECC, students can earn certifications, a diploma, and a degree in welding. “There are a lot of places that need welders,” says ECC welding instructor Warren Lynch. “Once students complete their program, I’ve got people waiting to hire them.” Shown is a bench made by Edgecombe Early College High School students Jo’Zaih Pittman and Josh Guevara, along with North East Carolina Preparatory School student Mary Sam Palmer, who cut out the Early College logo on the side with a plasma cutter. Welding classes begin at ECC on August 19.

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91ӣ����Ƶ student Lonnie Wilson receives hands-on training during a Motors and Controls class, which is part of the Electrical Systems Technology curriculum. Shown in the background is ECC student Jacob Johnson.

If you embarked on home improvements or new construction during the pandemic, you quickly learned that licensed electricians are in short supply.

91ӣ����Ƶ is working to meet the local need for electricians through its program in Electrical Systems Technology.

“There are only 300 unlimited electricians in the state of North Carolina, and that number is shrinking,” says Doug Parrish, department chair of Industrial and Technical Trades at ECC. “Electricians are retiring, and no one is taking their place.”

Some experts blame the recession of the late 2000s. Like many skilled jobs, electrician jobs disappeared dramatically. Others blame the exodus on the reduction in high school shop classes.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of electricians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

“My sales pitch for the field is: ‘You have an opportunity to work with your hands as well as your mind. And you can take it as far as you want,’” Parrish says.

According to Parrish, an electrician can attain three licensed designations in North Carolina: limited, intermediate, and unlimited.

A limited electrician is allowed to work on a single project up to $60,000 in value and under 600 volts or fewer. Intermediate licensing enables an electrician to work on projects valued at up to $150,000. An electrician with an unlimited license can work on any project.

“A lot of responsibility comes with an unlimited license,” Parrish says. “It’s very difficult to get.”

To qualify for an unlimited license, electricians must accrue 4,000 hours of on-the-job training, be bonded for up to $60,000, and have $15,000 in the bank, but electricians can earn excellent wages without this license.

The average electrician in North Carolina earns $21.47 per hour and averages $7,500 a year in overtime, which amounts to about $52,157 annually. In 2018 in Edgecombe County, the average income per household was $35,516.

91ӣ����Ƶ offers a one-year diploma program and four certificate-level credentials in Electrical Systems Technology.

Joe Foley was a student in the program in 2020, enrolled in coursework for several certificates, when a local company hired him as an electrician earlier this year.

“I had submitted my job application before I began the program at 91ӣ����Ƶ, and they said I wasn’t qualified,” says Foley, a former Marine tank mechanic. “Then they came back and offered me my dream job.

“The only difference was that I earned a certificate in electrical wiring at ECC in my first semester. That, and I completed an OSHA 10-hour training class on tools and safety.”

Foley says that he enjoyed his brief time at ECC, highlighting especially all that he learned. He says that instructors are knowledgeable and are willing to work with students to help them succeed.

Parrish says it made sense for Foley to leave college for the workplace since he had so much prior work experience in addition to the skills he acquired at ECC. Other students are hired quickly, too. “The earning potential is there,” he assures, “especially with overtime.”

Another option for students is to continue their education at four-year schools. Parrish says one recent ECC graduate earned his electrical engineering degree at a university and is now working in management for an electrical provider in the state.

To learn more about Electrical Systems Technology at ECC, please contact Parrish at (252) 618-6658 or parrishd@edgecombe.edu.

Since tuition and fees are free this fall for all qualifying students through the Edgecombe Pledge, now is the best time to enroll. Fall classes begin August 19.

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91ӣ����Ƶ’s Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathway was recently certified at the state level for meeting criteria of the NCWorks Pathway Certification Program and the Northeastern NC Career Pathways local implementation certification program. Shown from left are Dave Whitmer, executive director of the Northeastern Workforce Development Board, with ECC representatives Brittany Harrelson, administrative assistant; Michael Starling, dean of business, industry, and technologies; Dr. Harry Starnes, vice president of instruction, and Dr. Greg McLeod, president.

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91ӣ����Ƶ leaders were among the education and business professionals who attended the Twin Counties Education & Business Leaders’ Summit held August 1 on the campus of Nash Community College. ECC participants included (from left) Lynwood Roberson, Dr. Greg McLeod, Sheila Hoskins, Sheryll Wood, Debbie Batten, Dr. Harry Starnes, and Bruce Panneton. NC Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland delivered the keynote address at the event, which focused on collaborations between Twin County schools, community colleges, and employers.

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From left, Francine Long and Patti Copeland prepare cookie dough in a recent baking class at 91ӣ����Ƶ. A new certificate program in Baking and Pastry Arts is underway in ECC’s Division of Continuing Education. A course in Beginning Artisan and Specialty Bread Making begins in August.

Students are heating up the kitchen in a new program in Baking and Pastry Arts at 91ӣ����Ƶ.

The new Continuing Education certificate program began this summer with courses in Food Service Sanitation and Safety and Food Service Management. Both classes are meeting in the evening for the convenience of students who work.

A course in Beginning Artisan and Specialty Bread Making begins in August. This 36-hour class also meets in the evenings and runs through mid-November.

Master baker Franca Gilbert, co-owner of Alimentaire Wholesome Breads in Tarboro, will instruct the class and provide a study in the art and craft of bread-making.

Plated Desserts is the fourth and final course required for the certificate, and it is planned for spring 2020.

“Students are getting ServSafe certification, which is required by many restaurants and other food service-related industries,” explains Kathy Webb, director of Lifelong Learning at ECC. “We currently have seven students in the program, and our limit is eight, so we are very pleased with the interest we’ve received. We have a full house!”

Members of the community who are interested in taking Beginning Artisan and Specialty Bread Making are welcome to take the course if space permits. The class is limited to eight students.

The Division of Continuing Education has been developing other unique programs this summer, many of which are short-term training courses that lead to jobs.

Forklift Training is a six-hour class that is taking place monthly through December. Classes are scheduled for July 17, August 22, September 24, October 24, November 21, and December 17. Classes meet from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Construction Academy begins August 27 and ends November 26. Students will learn the basics of construction safety, measurement and layout, and hand/power tool use. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Residential HVAC Service and Repair starts August 22 and runs until mid-December. EPA Refrigerant certification is included in the class, which meets Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Two Welding classes also meet this fall. An evening class begins September 3 and meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A daytime weekend class starts September 7 and meets on Saturdays.

Students will learn welding skills in Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), Pipe Welding, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or Stick). Both Welding classes meet through mid-November.

To learn more or to register for any of these classes, please contact 618-6608 or continuinged@edgecombe.edu.

An additional short-term training course for educators will be offered this fall. EDU 119 – Early Childhood Education Credential – is an eight-week class that is available as a face-to-face or online class. This certification is required by the state for individuals who want to work in child care centers. To learn more, please contact 618-6582 or stocksm@edgecombe.edu.

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Dennis Hackett has been named customized training project manager at 91ӣ����Ƶ.

Dennis Hackett, who has more than 40 years of experience in manufacturing, has been named customized training project manager at 91ӣ����Ƶ.

In this new position, Hackett’s primary responsibility will be to develop training programs for Triangle Tire and oversee the construction of the new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. The College will own and operate the center, which will be located at the corner of US 64 West and Hart Mill Run Road.

Under Hackett’s leadership, the College and Triangle Tire will collaborate on the design and implementation of a comprehensive training program for production and direct support personnel. The plan will include both pre-hire and post-hire courses, providing a strong foundation of skills needed by a modern-day workforce. Topics will include safety, quality, productivity, and processes specific to tire manufacturing. The plan will be based on information gathered by an advance team that visited Triangle Tire facilities in Weihai, China, in August. The advance team included leadership from ECC, NC Community College System, and Carolinas Gateway Partnership, which was pivotal in Triangle Tire’s decision to locate in Edgecombe County.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with an international company investing in Edgecombe County and the opportunity to develop the technical skills of their workforce,” Hackett says, “I am also excited about the construction of the new training facility, which will provide a much needed state-of-the-art space for hands-on training.”

Prior to joining ECC, Hackett worked with ABB in Pinetops as the operational excellence manager which included planning and production scheduling. Previous ABB positions include operations manager and senior manufacturing engineer. Earlier in his career, he held engineering and production management positions with Lenox Bandsaw & Power Tool Accessories in Massachusetts.

Hackett holds a B.S.B.A. degree in operations technology from Northeastern University. He holds a diploma in facility engineering management from NC State University and has completed coursework toward an industrial engineering degree at Western New England College.

“Mr. Hackett will be a tremendous asset to the 91ӣ����Ƶ business and industry team,” says George Anderson, director of customized training. “His experience in manufacturing and operations management will be invaluable as we develop employee training for Triangle Tire as well as other companies moving into the Kingsboro Megasite.”

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