Nine students received their certifications on Friday after completing Rebuilding Together NYC's workforce training program.

The program partnered with NYCHA, recruiting residents from NYCHA buildings that were affected by Sandy and are still being repaired today.

Officials say they want those paying jobs to go to unemployed or underemployed residents living in the buildings.

The students went through a six-week course exposing them to the different aspects of construction.

The program supplies the students with free personal protective equipment, free MetroCards to get to and from class and a free toolkit.

Many of the students said it's a lot of hard work but that the program is life-changing and has given them skills to earn a living.

The students say they are ready to take on union apprenticeship in construction.