Credentials and certifications are common these days in the construction industry. From OSHA training to crane operator certification, these titles are seen as differentiators, proof that a craft worker has the competence, skills and knowledge an employer can trust.

Until recently, though, nobody has asked what the construction workers themselves think of credentials. NCCER completed a widespread, in-depth study of the construction workforce to get their thoughts.

The national construction training organization asked whether the workforce sees credentials as meaningful indicators of competence and career growth. NCCER wanted to know what factors influence whether an individual chooses to pursue more training and credentials.

The organization combined survey responses with in-depth interviews with craft professionals, trainees, laborers, supervisors and industry leaders.

Surveyors targeted these professionals across multiple trades, ages, roles and experience levels. One goal was to glean an understanding of how credentials function in construction careers. Another goal was to determine what role credentials play in hiring, advancement and long-term workforce development.

Yet another goal was learning the value placed on credentials by craft workers, supervisors and industry leaders.

"The results of our study offer a clear message for industry leaders: credentials remain highly valued across the construction workforce," said NCCER. "But their impact depends heavily on how organizations support them."

Workers view credentials "not simply as training requirements but as signals of competence, professionalism and readiness for greater responsibility."

Learning to Adapt On the Fly

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is one of many organizations that encourage credentialling and certification.

The group believes that because the construction industry changes at a fast clip, professionals are expected to be able to adapt just as quickly to anything new.

"Professionals are continually expected to adapt to new technologies, regulations and complex project demands," said the women's construction group. "In this highly competitive field, obtaining the right education credentials can make a significant difference."

In terms of career progression, job opportunities and earning potential, credentials help individuals validate their skills, believes NAWIC.

Credentials also create opportunity for workers to enhance their professional reputation. And they set women workers apart from others in the field.

Citing NCCER, the organization said credentials showcase proven expertise, facilitate career advancement, increase job security and help develop special skills.

They also afford skilled craft workers the opportunity for higher earning potential. Those with credentials tend to earn more than those without, found NCCER.

NCCER knows credentials signal whether an employee is prepared and trained to excel at the work at hand or take on new responsibilities. In competitive hiring, companies must be able to distinguish skilled craft workers from those who are not prepared to work safely and effectively.

"Credentials provide employers with a clear way to evaluate capability

when making hiring and advancement decisions," said the organization.

In its study, NCCER found the workforce overwhelmingly views credentials as meaningful indicators of capability, particularly in hirings and promotions.

"This perception is not merely theoretical," said NCCER in its industry report, titled, "Credentials Matter."

Subtitled, "What the Construction Workforce Says About Skills, Training and Advancement," the study found raises were meted based on credentialling.

What Prompts Craft Workers to Credentialling

In fact, more than one in five NCCER survey respondents reported receiving a raise or promotion specifically because of a credential they had earned.

"These findings reinforce the role credentials play as signals of competence and professionalism across the construction workforce," said the training organization.

Craft workers see licenses and certificates as much more than "simple compliance requirements," the survey found.

"Credentials are widely interpreted … as markers of skill, commitment to the craft and preparation for advancement."

For employers, these markers are a tool for identifying capable employees and structuring career advancement within the workforce, noted NCCER.

"Furthermore, by offering training that results in credentials, employers can better position themselves to attract and retain a skilled workforce."

NCCER said this was evidenced by craft professionals who spoke of loyalty to the companies investing in their success through talent development.

"While the construction workforce clearly values credentials, the decision to pursue them is often shaped by something beyond individual motivation," it said.

Employer support and provision play a key role in the pursuit of additional training and credentials by craft workers. Craftsmen and women say they are willing to pursue more training when the believe their efforts will lead to meaningful career benefits.

Those benefits include job stability, achievement opportunities and higher wages.

"At the same time, the ability to pursue credentials is often influenced by practical workplace realities," noted the NCCER study.

Those realities include training costs, schedule demands and access to training opportunities, it said.

"Our survey found that when employers actively support credential attainment, willingness to pursue additional credentials increases."

These results, it found, suggest the workforce will more likely pursue credentials when employers make training accessible and demonstrably valuable.

"Surprisingly, covering the cost of training ranked higher than receiving a pay raise in terms of motivation," the NCCER study found.

When employers cover the costs, craft workers are "significantly" more likely to pursue credentials. This reveals a broader reality within the construction workforce, noted NCCER. Workers are willing to invest time in skill development, but training costs are still a barrier.

And that's especially true when the burden of paying for the training falls on the workers alone.

"This is particularly important in the early stages of a worker's career," stressed the study.

That's when access to employer-supported training can accelerate skill development, improve confidence and shorten the time to reach full productivity.

And when credentials are tied to raises, promotions or advancement, workers more likely view them as a meaningful step in professional development.

Workplace culture has a significant impact, as well, the credentials study found.

When employers see coworkers benefit from licensure, the perception that credential attainment is worth working toward and is achievable, is reinforced.

Lastly, NCCER found that "accessibility influences participation." Survey respondents indicated flexibility plays a crucial role.

"Respondents reported a greater likelihood of pursuing credentials when training could be completed during work hours or through flexible formats," it said. "Scheduling conflicts, limited training availability and travel requirements are barriers that delay or prevent credential completion."

These factors ultimately block the upgrading of knowledge and skills.

Effective credentialling is supported by structured development systems.

Those structured systems will include financial support, flexible training access and clear connections between credentials and career progression.

"Simply stated, contractors should build and support a structured training and credentialing system within their organizations," stressed the analysis.

Beyond Just a Class Here, There

The study findings suggest, said NCCER, that credentials serve a broader workforce development function.

Instead of "isolated training requirements," credentials are seen by workers as part of "a structured pathway for advancement within the construction industry."

NCCER believes that for contractors and industry leaders this finding is crucially important. Credentials aligned with career pathways and advancement reinforce the connection between training, skill development and long-term workforce growth.

NCCER considers one of the most revealing findings was that the workforce does not pursue credentials primarily because they are required to.

"Instead, many pursue them because they view training and credentials as an opportunity to learn new skills and deepen their knowledge of the trade," the study said.

When survey participants were asked why they would pursue additional credentials, the most frequent response was "I enjoy learning new things."

This motivation, said NCCER, exceeded other drivers, including improving employability, qualifying for higher pay or pursuing promotion opportunities.

Credentials represent opportunities for workers to expand their knowledge,

strengthen capabilities and prepare for more complex work, the study found. In fact, respondents frequently described licensure as part of their ongoing development. Statistical analysis confirmed that this pattern was not random.

"The distribution of responses differed significantly from what would be expected if all motivations were equally likely," found NCCER.

It said this indicates that the emphasis on learning reflects a meaningful and measurable pattern in how craft professionals approach credentialing.

Respondents described credentials as opportunities to gain new knowledge and stay current with industry practices. They also see licenses as a way to build confidence in their ability to perform specialized or advanced tasks, the study noted.

"In many cases, our interviews found that workers viewed credentialing as part of the natural progression of mastering their craft."

NAWIC believes education credentials are crucial for success in the construction industry. Each level of education equips the worker with the skills and knowledge needed to advance in their career, said the women's construction group.

"Moreover, certifications … provide specialized expertise, giving you a competitive edge in the job market."

Because construction is a field that demands constant learning and adaptation, it said, credentials are essential to long-term career growth and success. The group encourages its members to take advantage of the resources available to invest in growth as leaders.

NCCER agrees and encourages organizations to "operationalize credentialing as part of a broader workforce development strategy."

Those that do, it stressed, "will be better positioned to build and sustain their current and future generations of craft professionals." CEG