Rapid Recovery
Construction Academies
NCCER’s Rapid Recovery Construction Academies rebuild communities by providing fast-track, hands-on construction training and career opportunities to local residents in the wake of natural disasters.
Rebuilding Communities. Rebuilding Lives.
Hear directly from RRCA graduates how the program helped them rebuild their lives, earn credentials and step into meaningful careers.
Recovery Starts with People
After Hurricane Ian in 2023, NCCER and Lowe’s launched a Rapid Recovery Construction Academy (RRCA) in Fort Myers, Florida, empowering 52 graduates with the skills to secure well-paying construction jobs and support local recovery efforts. This initiative demonstrates the power of donor-driven workforce development, where investment meets immediate impact.
As natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity, so does the urgency for recovery. In 2024 alone, the U.S. faced 27 billion-dollar weather events totaling $368 billion in damages. Rebuilding requires more than resources—it requires a skilled, local workforce ready to respond.
How the Program Works
In partnership with our generous donors, NCCER’s Rapid Recovery Construction Academies deliver accelerated training programs that equip individuals in disaster-stricken communities with the skills, industry-recognized credentials, and job connections they need to rebuild their lives and support local recovery. With donor support, participants gain hands-on training in construction crafts relevant to their area and graduate prepared to enter the workforce with direct pathways to employment.
Outcomes That Matter
How Blue Ridge Community College is Rebuilding Post-Hurricane
We’ve partnered with Blue Ridge CC to launch an RRCA to help Western North Carolina workers secure stable jobs while assisting in the rebuilding of their communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Your Contributions in Action
Our 2024 Annual Report shows how donor support fueled NCCER’s mission to expand opportunity through construction education.
Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Following the impact of Hurricane Helene, Lowe’s partnered with NCCER and Blue Ridge Community College to launch an RRCA to contribute to rebuilding efforts.
Take Action
Natural disasters are rising—and so is the need for skilled workers to rebuild. Your donation helps train a local workforce ready to respond when it matters most.