What is NCCER Certification?

Many technical fields have some form of certifications involved, such as the NCCER certification.

Although it may not always be a requirement for getting a job, being certified usually makes individuals more desirable to potential employers. It also brings with it higher salaries.

NCCER Certification is one such program for those seeking jobs in industries such as construction, welding, and electrical.

What does NCCER stand for?

NCCER is the commonly used acronym for the National Center for Construction Education and Research. The NCCER was founded in 1996 to standardize training and provide industry-recognized credentials for those working in the construction, maintenance, and pipeline industries.

It offers curriculum and assessments to both entry-level and journey-level craftsmen relevant to plants, manufacturers, oil and gas companies, and others in the industrial sector who are looking to become certified. NCCER certification means that the holder is highly trained, knowledgeable, and qualified to do the job anywhere in the country.

The mission of NCCER is to provide a safe, sustainable, and productive workforce to industry professionals. They do this by offering training, assessment, certification, and career development to construction and maintenance craft professionals. To achieve this, they apply the following core values to all of their activities:

• Integrity, by always doing what is right to maintain the trust of the industry.
• Innovation, to benefit construction, maintenance, and pipeline industries by continuously improving products, programs, and services.
• Commitment, to stakeholders, missions, and goals.
• Credibility, to be regarded as the most reliable source of workforce development for industries.
• Customer Focus, devoting resources to serving the best interest of stakeholders and craftspersons at all levels of development.
• Industry Support, to uphold and serve the interests of the construction industry.
• Quality, providing the industry with premier resources for workforce development.
• Sustainable Career Opportunities, ensuring that workers understand their opportunities for advancement and growth at every step of their career development.    

What Jobs Can Get NCCER Certified?

Industry professionals today must be able to prove that they have the knowledge and hands-on experience associated with their craft. Some of the fields that are eligible for NCCER certification include:

• Boilermaker Construction and Maintenance
• Cabinetmaking
• Carpentry
• Concrete Finisher
• Construction
• Crane Operator
• Crew Leadership
• Drywall Mechanic
• Electrical
• Gas Pipeline Operations
• Heavy Equipment Operations (Backhoe, Dozer, Dump Truck, Excavator, Forklift, Motor Grader, Roller, Scraper, Skid Steer)
• Heavy Highway Construction
• HVAC
• Hydroblasting Technician
• Industrial Maintenance
• Industrial Insulator
• Industrial Millwright
• Instrumentation
• Ironworking
• Manufactured Construction Technology
• Management (Foreman, Supervisor, Sustainable Construction Supervisor, Construction Workforce, Development Professional)
• Maritime Core
• Masonry
• Painting
• Pipe fitting
• Pipe Laying
• Plumbing
• Power Generation (Maintenance Electrician, Maintenance Mechanic)
• Power Line Worker (Substation, Distribution, Transmission, Reinforcing Ironworker)
• Project Management
• Safety Orientation and Technology
• Scaffolding Construction and Maintenance
• Sheet Metal
• Welding

Getting NCCER Certified

The first step to becoming NCCER certified is to enroll in a curriculum program with an accredited training sponsor like Southern Careers Institute. There you will do coursework and get the hands-on training needed to sit for the NCCER certificate. NCCER assessments have two parts to them.

The written assessment tests the individual’s knowledge of the craft. The performance part verifies the crafts person’s skill in the chosen field. Performance is tested in a controlled environment where qualified performance evaluators can observe and measure it.

The written assessments are administered online by accredited institutions. They are then scored automatically. Test scores are available through the registry system. Once certified, individuals receive access to their transcripts, certificates, and a wallet card signifying their certification. The wallet card can be presented to an employer, or potential employer, for quick verification of credentials.

NCCER can also certify Tower Crane Operators and Mobile Crane Operators. They offer instructor training certification to Master Trainers, Craft Instructors, Safety Instructors, and Master Craft/Technician Instructors. There is no charge to the student for the NCCER certification test as it is part of the curriculum. Certifications are good for five years.       

NCCER Core Curriculum

All Assessments are based on the NCCER curriculum. Those looking to get certified in a specialty area must first complete the NCCER core curriculum certification. Once this is completed, the student can then transition into an advanced training program and set of assessments.

Covered topics in the core curriculum include:

• Basic Safety
• Communication
• Construction Math
• Employability Skills
• Hand and Power Tools
• Introduction to Construction Drawings
• Basic Rigging

NCCER Certification Benefits

A full set of NCCER credentials includes a certificate of completion, a wallet card, and a transcript. The names of individuals who have successfully earned any NCCER training credentials are entered into the NCCER Registry System. This secure database also records all assessment results.

Once certified in a field of expertise, individuals are eligible to be hired anywhere in the country. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook put out by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders who are certified usually command higher pay. The annual salary for welders is approximately $45,000 annually. The median salary for certified electricians falls at $54,000 per year.  

Prepare for NCCER Certification at Southern Careers Institute

If you have a strong passion for change and desire to become certified as a welder or another industrially oriented job, contact Southern Careers Institute today at 1.833.SCI.TEXAS.

As part of your welder’s training, you will learn:

• Welding Machinery Operation
• Welding Safety
• Welding Techniques
• Blueprint Reading
• Fushion and Fabrication

You can complete your training in as little as seven months and then be ready to take the NCCER certification exam. In operation since 1960, we have eight campuses in Southeast Texas located in Austin, San Antonio, Waco, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen, and Pharr.

We also offer online courses and are accredited through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Council on Occupational Education. Our courses train those wanting a better future in skilled trades such as welding, HVAC, automotive, business, technology, beauty, medical, and pharmacy. Apply now to get started.    

Sources

• https://www.nccer.org/nccer-home
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-5

Blog Disclaimer: Information stated in this blog is for general information purposes only. SCITexas.edu not assume or guarantee income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Southern Careers Institute.