What is NCCER? Back to the Basics

Since the foundation was created in 1996, The National Center for Construction Education and Research has become a powerful name. While international initiatives and global expansion led to the use of NCCER in lieu of The National Center for Construction Education and Research, the organization has continued to have a profound impact on the construction industry.

Able to guide a craft professional through a career with its workforce development efforts, NCCER has numerous running parts that make it successful. But what is NCCER?

Taking it back to the basics, here is a simplified understanding of what this organization does for craft professionals and the construction industry every day.

N – National

Across the U.S., NCCER is recognized as a top resource for construction education, training and research.

Working with craft professionals across both coasts, NCCER was developed with the support of more than 125 construction CEOs and various association and academic leaders. NCCER partners with other national companies, organizations and groups to share the importance of the industry.

With over 6,000 NCCER-accredited training and assessment locations across the United States, this organization is one of the many companies that are finding new ways to decrease the skills gap in America.

C – Center

There is no “I” in team.

This is especially true when it comes to revolutionizing training for the construction industry.

Looking to get involved in construction and seek training? NCCER can help you find a training or assessment center. If you can’t find an assessment provider near you on the interactive map, the customer service team is ready and available for any assistance you may need.

NCCER serves as a central platform for resources, curriculum, information and more. Whether you are looking to learn a craft or have been in the industry for years, NCCER offers material for everyone.

This organization is here for you.

C – Construction

Focused on building a safe, productive and sustainable workforce of craft professionals, NCCER’s priority is construction.

Of the eight core values, one of the principles that has been ingrained into NCCER since the beginning is industry support. From standardized curriculum and certifications to initiatives built on enhancing career development, NCCER is committed to upholding and serving the interests of the construction industry and its customers in everything that it does.

E – Education

NCCER is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation and is affiliated with the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management. The progressive program has evolved into curricula for more than 70 craft areas and a complete series of more than 70 assessments.

What does this mean? If you’re interested in becoming a craft professional, or perhaps learning about the industry, NCCER can help. Through NCCER, someone’s interest of becoming a carpenter can easily turn into a reality. NCCER develops standardized construction and maintenance curriculum and assessments with portable credentials.

There is a skills gap in America and NCCER, along with its Build Your Future initiative, is looking to educate, recruit and develop the next generation of craft professionals.

R – Research

While the industry isn’t known to jump on new trends quickly, it is utilizing new technologies in amazing ways. Therefore, NCCER has made research a part of its platform so resources that give an insight into new trends and projections, as well as best practices for education and implementation efforts are readily available.

Construction is the backbone to our society; therefore, it is important to learn how to help restore its dignity. Restoring the Dignity of Work: Transforming the U.S. Workforce Development System into a World Leader, is just one example of some of the content NCCER has created to guide the industry of construction.

With a list of research material, NCCER does the work so you don’t have to.

Supporting the Industry

NCCER is an industry leader, finding and implementing new ways to eliminate the negative stigma associated with construction.

Many words have unintended, negative connotations and NCCER created terms of the industry to encourage the use of words such as craft, high skills and more. In 2011, NCCER made a conscious commitment to utilize the term “craft or skilled professionals” instead of tradesman, and since then we have seen its adoption by organizations across the country.

Providing resources, training and even enhancing the language of the industry, NCCER continues to work on changing the image of the construction industry.