For more information on NCCER, visit www.nccer.org, or click here. For Accreditation information, click here. NCCER Overview The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation established in 1995 by the world's largest and most progressive construction companies and national construction associations. NCCER was created to address the severe workforce shortage facing the industry and to develop a standardized training process and curricula. Construction, Maintenance, and Pipeline Curricula Together with its publishing partner Prentice Hall, NCCER develops and publishes the Contren™ Learning Series - Construction, Maintenance, and Pipeline Curricula. Contren features include: Standardized curricula for more than 35 craft areas in Commercial, Highway/Heavy, Industrial, Maintenance, Pipeline and Residential construction Three-year revision schedule Built on industry-wide competency standards Complete training package: trainee manuals, instructor's guides, written exams, lesson plans, and performance tests Competency-based with measurable objectives Flexible - teach a single task or teach the entire craft outline Developed by industry experts and trainers Contren™ Trainee Manuals Task objectives Text and illustrations Task procedures and descriptions Review questions Contren™ Instructor's Guides Detailed teaching outlines Lab exercises Tests Competency-based performance test NCCER's Training Process NCCER's standardized training process includes an industry-developed system for accreditation, delivery of training, and student credentials. The process includes the Contren Curricula which maximize learning by combining illustrated instructional materials for the trainee with structured classroom activities conducted by craft instructors. Process features include: An industry proven record of success Curricula developed by the industry for the industry Instructor certification National standardization providing portability of learned job skills and educational credits Credentials for trainees through NCCER's National Registry Compliance with Apprenticeship, Training, Employer, and Labor Services (ATELS) requirements for related classroom training Accreditation The quality of NCCER training is accomplished through a formal accreditation process, similar to that found in institutions of higher learning. Participants receive high quality training based on uniform industry standards. These standards must be followed in order to become an NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor. For a copy of NCCER's Accreditation Guidelines, click here. NCCER National Registry NCCER maintains a National Registry that provides transcripts, certificates, and wallet cards to individuals who successfully complete modules of NCCER's Contren Learning Series, when the training program is delivered by an NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor. Master Trainer Certification Master Trainer classes are offered exclusively by NCCER and lead to certification, thus allowing the Master Trainer to train and certify Craft Instructors. For information on upcoming Master Trainer classes, call NCCER Customer Service at 1-888-622-3720. Instructor Certification Craft Instructors are certified upon completion of NCCER's Instructor Certification Training Program (ICTP), designed to ensure the uniform and consistent delivery of training throughout the country. For more information on ICTP classes, call NCCER Customer Service at 1-888-622-3720. NCCER WANTS YOU! There are many ways in which you, an industry-representative and NCCER customer, can contribute to the content of NCCER's training manuals: Meet with the Author* Become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on one of NCCER's Technical Review Committees or Authoring Teams. SMEs meet with the author, industry leaders from NCCER's Craft Training Committee and an NCCER staff liaison to create the instructional content of the craft training books. Have Direct Input Become a Team Member of an NCCER's Marketing or Technical Review Team. Mail or e-mail your input from home-no need to travel! Feedback is reviewed by an NCCER Authoring Team and is responded to-directly. For details, the requirements, and benefits of becoming a Marketing or Technical Review Team member, please contact NCCER. Participate from Home Mail feedback on our User Input Form. Forms are located at the back of each craft training module. If your feedback is specific, contains the copyright date of the craft training module you're using, and refers to a specific page, it will be reviewed by an NCCER Authoring Team. You will hear back from us. Just don't forget to give us your address! * SMEs must be nominated and sponsored by a participating contractor or affiliated representative. In return for their participation, SMEs and their sponsoring organizations will be recognized in each printing of the craft training curriculum, and receive a free set of books. Spaces on Authoring Teams are limited, so please apply early. For details, a craft training development schedule, and an SME Nomination Form, contact the NCCER. Craft Instructors, Trainers, and Master Craftspeople are encouraged to apply! For more information regarding NCCER, contact NCCER Customer Service at 1-888-622-3720 or visit www.nccer.org.