Hiring Our Heroes and NCCER Join Forces to Empower the Military Community Through Skilled Trades Training
Partnership expands access to hands-on construction training and career pathways, helping veterans and military families build futures while strengthening America’s workforce
Washington, D.C. — February 20, 2026 — Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, today announced the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) as an official curriculum partner for the HOH Skilled Trades Academy. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in HOH’s mission to empower the military community and address the nation’s skilled trades workforce shortage.
Powered by Lowe’s Foundation, the HOH Skilled Trades Academy is a six-week, in-person training program designed to equip transitioning service members, veterans, and military and veteran spouses with foundational skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and masonry. The inaugural cohort launched in early October in Jacksonville, North Carolina, just outside Camp Lejeune.
NCCER’s industry-recognized curriculum will enhance the Academy’s hands-on training experience, enabling participants to gain the technical competencies and safety knowledge required for success in the construction trades. The curriculum also includes professional development, resume building, interview preparation, and networking with local employers, creating a direct pathway to meaningful employment and long-term economic mobility.
“Collaborating with NCCER strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality, skills-based training that meets real-world workforce needs,” said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Together, we’re not just preparing military community members for careers—we’re helping them build futures and strengthening America’s infrastructure.”
“This collaboration helps bridge the gap between the construction industry’s workforce needs and the incredible potential of our nation’s veterans and greater military community,” said Cathy Tyler, Director of Workforce Development at NCCER. “NCCER’s training framework ensures participants gain skills that meet industry standards, preparing them to contribute immediately to projects that build and strengthen our communities.”
The Skilled Trades Academy is offered at no cost to veteran, transitioning service member, and military spouse participants and is available to transitioning service members as a DoD SkillBridge opportunity. By aligning military talent with in-demand careers, HOH and its partners are helping close the skilled trades gap while advancing inclusive hiring practices and veteran empowerment.
For more information about the HOH Skilled Trades Academy, visit Hiring Our Heroes Skilled Trades Academy.
About Hiring Our Heroes
Since 2011, Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) has worked to create meaningful employment opportunities for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. Leveraging a broad array of private and public sector partners, as well as our extensive network of businesses, we provide our nation’s heroes with the right tools, resources, and connections to get the job done. Through world-class hiring events, digital programs, upskilling opportunities, and fellowships, we have developed and cultivated a rich pipeline of military-connected talent. For more information about Hiring Our Heroes and its programs, visit HiringOurHeroes.org.
About National Center for Construction Education and Research
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit education foundation and the leading provider of construction education for industry and career and technical education programs. With flexible workforce development and learning solutions, NCCER’s programs provide consistency and quality to ensure craft professionals and learners receive industry-recognized credentials and certifications. To learn more, visit www.nccer.org.