NCCER Core Construction

Short-term Training Certifications

PURPOSE: The Community College Workforce Alliance works in partnership with Reynolds and Tyler Community Colleges to serve students with a fast track to the workforce with training and credentialing programs that can be completed in weeks or months. CCWA offers workforce training and certifications in transportation and logistics, construction and trades, customer service, health care and manufacturing. These programs are supported through state-funded tuition assistance available to all Virginians, making Short-term Training Programs low cost or no cost. Short-term Training Programs also offer career coaching and job connections.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Short-term Training credentials prepare students for entry-level careers in high-demand occupational fields offering good starting wages - many with benefits and promotion opportunities.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: There are no admissions requirements. Tuition assistance is available to all residents of Virginia, regardless of income. Classes may be free to those qualifying for additional financial aid.

PROGRAM NOTES: In certain industries, prior convictions may prohibit employment. Drug testing and a pre-employment physical may be required for some occupations. Some companies may have minimum age requirements for select positions.

NCCER Core Construction

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is the credentialing body for the NCCER CORE Curriculum certification. The NCCER CORE training course is a prerequisite to all other NCCER Level 1 craft curriculum in construction and industrial occupations such as carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, drywall, and construction craft laborer. The NCCER standardized curricula introduces basic skills for obtaining and retaining industrial employment, including an introduction to hand tools, power tools, construction drawings, basic communication skills, basic safety, and basic employability skills. This certification-training course provides the foundational skills needed to continue entry-level education in any skilled-craft.

Construction Laborers

Bright Outlook

Green Leaf
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Sample of reported job titles: Construction Laborer, Construction Worker, Curb and Gutter Laborer, Drain Layer, Drop Crew Laborer, Helper, Laborer, Post Framer, Skill Labor, Union Laborer

Labor Statistics:
Projected Employment 2026 (Virginia): 30,650
Current Wage Range (Entry-Experienced): $23,460-$65,590


Bright Outlook Bright Outlook occupations are expected to have rapid growth over the next 10-years (employment increase of 10% or more in the Richmond, MSA over the period of 2018-2028) or are expected to have a high demand (projected to have 750 or more job openings in the Richmond, MSA over the period of 2018-2028).

Green Leaf Icon"Green occupations will likely change as a result of the green economy. Green economy activities and technologies are increasing the demand for occupations, shaping the work and worker requirements needed for occupational performance, or generating new and emerging occupations." -- O*NET

1 This program may prepare you for one or more of the listed jobs; however, graduates may not be qualified for all of the jobs listed in this section.

Reynolds Community College makes every attempt to provide students with the best, most accurate information possible. The data was sourced from an external agency (O*NET) on August 1, 2019.

CCWA has funding through the Short-term Training Program for this certification prep course. The financial assistance can help pay for training that supports attainment of industry credentials. If you have limited income and want to earn an industry credential, please contact us and find out how CCWA can support your efforts.

Sign up for an upcoming Short-term Training orientation.

Sessions will be held at CCWA on the Parham Road Campus of Reynolds Community College in the Workforce Development and Conference Center (WDCC) located at 1651 E. Parham Rd. Richmond, VA 23228.

For more registration information, contact a CCWA Career Coach at careercoach@ccwa.vccs.edu.