Construction Craft Curricula and Assessments Released

Words: Jennifer WilkersonRevised versions of NCCER's Cabinetmaking, Construction Technology and Instrumentation curricula are now available for the construction and maintenance industries along with new Maritime and Masonry products.

Masonry

This year, NCCER released its first Masonry written assessment and Performance Verification for journey-level masons. Topics include: personnel safety, equipment, measurements, drawings, specifications, materials, installation and reinforcing, elevated and specialized masonry. After successful completion of the written assessment or Performance Verification, individuals receive credentials that are tracked through NCCER's Registry System. When a journey-level mason successfully completes both the written assessment and Performance Verification, then he or she becomes Certified Plus, NCCER's highest credential.

Construction Technology

Another title that NCCER recently revised was Construction Technology. The fourth edition includes three new modules: Cabinetmaking, Cabinet Installation and Introduction to Construction Equipment. Construction Technology is a one-level curriculum geared toward secondary education. Training follows the flow of residential construction and covers basic knowledge and principles of carpentry, masonry, electricity, HVAC and plumbing.

NCCER develops and publishes its curricula in partnership with leading textbook publisher Pearson. Assessments are developed in conjunction with Prov, NCCER's test development partner, and are designed to evaluate the journey-level knowledge of an individual in a specific craft area and provide a prescription for upgrade training when needed. A team of subject matter experts representing industry and academia contribute to the development of training curricula, assessments and Performance Verifications to ensure they meet or exceed industry standards. NCCER curricula comply with the Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship requirements for time-based training.
Contractor Tip of the Month: A Contractor’s Amazon Adventure: Heat, Teamwork, and Thrills in the Rainforest
January 2026

Pressure has a way of exposing your habits. It shows how you respond when comfort fades away, and the work starts fighting back. For contractors, those moments come on jobs that test your energy or force decisions when the margin for error disappears. The

Fechino Files: Something Good!
January 2026

Mortar Net Solutions and Keene, Inc. have delivered the 2025 Masonry Apprentice Scholarships, and teachers across the country are presenting them as they change the lives of the recipients. This year, we were fortunate enough to have four National Masonry

GEN NXT: Austin Cataldi
January 2026

This month, the MCAA had a conversation with 19-year-old Austin Cataldi, a dedicated young professional whose path to masonry was shaped by family ties and a hands-on spirit. His journey is one of finding artistic expression in the same materials he works

Outreach Outlook: Launching Into 2026 With Purpose, Innovation, and National Momentum
January 2026

Happy New Year! As classrooms reopen and a new semester begins across the country, the MCAA Outreach & Education Division is entering 2026 with renewed purpose and a clear focus. There is a unique energy that comes with the start of a new year. It is a ti