Martin Community College & Flagstone Foods Launch $117K Workforce Training Initiative Through NCEdge

Martin Community College and Flagstone Foods have entered into a partnership to provide customized training for Flagstone Foods employees. This training is funded by NCEdge, a statewide legislative initiative that supports workforce training through North Carolina's 58 community colleges. While NCEdge provides the funding, Martin Community College manages the funds and oversees how the training is developed and delivered. It is expected that within the next three years $117,000 will be spent on employee training and development at Flagstone Foods.

Flagstone Foods, previously Ann's House of Nuts, is located in Robersonville, NC, and specializes in manufacturing and distributing private label snack foods. The training received will cover areas such as safety, continuous improvement, supervision and leadership, SAP software, OEM equipment and plant operations, and technical maintenance skills. This training will provide targeted training to approximately 120 employees at Flagstone Foods. Through this partnership, Flagstone Foods hopes to create a company culture of growth, learning, and improvement that will prepare their employees for higher skilled and higher wage jobs.

NCEdge supports workforce development by focusing on three aspects of a company's wellbeing: job growth, technology investment, and productivity enhancement. Their mission is to fuel business success through workforce training, equipping employees with the skills they need to perform, innovate, and grow - strengthening North Carolina's economy in the process (NCEdge).

Martin Community College has a strong history of successful workforce training partnerships. In February of this year, MCC partnered with Domtar through NCEdge's Customized Training Program to provide tailored training to nearly 100 Domtar employees. Domtar, located in Plymouth NC, produces pulp used in the production of adult incontinence products, baby diapers, and absorbent hygiene products (Domtar). Their training specializes in maintenance and control, production, quality, and supervision.

Billy Barber, MCC's Vice President of Operations and Community Engagement, represents MCC in the partnership and is directly involved with planning and developing the training. "Our mission is to Build Better Futures, and that means keeping manufacturing strong in NC," says Barber. "If your business manufactures in our service area, give me a call to get your next training project funded through MCC and NCEdge." To get in touch with Billy Barber, call (252) 789-0303 or email bb66599@martincc.edu.

Martin Community College is proud to partner with Flagstone Foods and Domtar to improve employee training and workforce development across eastern North Carolina. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, MCC supports NCEdge's mission to advance job growth, drive technology investment, and boost productivity.

Sources: About Us. About Us | NCEdge - NCCCS. (n.d.). https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/businesses/ncedge/about-us-ncedge/ Plymouth Mill. Domtar. (2025, July 22). https://www.domtar.com/our-location/plymouth-mill/