Vocational Schools Trade Associations

Advance CTE (State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work)

The longest-standing national nonprofit for state Career Technical Education leaders, representing State CTE Directors and their teams and coordinating CTE policy across the U.S.

https://careertech.org/ Membership: 56

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

The primary U.S. association and advocacy voice for community colleges, providing research, policy leadership, and services to two‑year, associate degree–granting institutions.

https://www.aacc.nche.edu/ Membership: 1,000

American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)

The national trade association for beauty, barbering, esthetics, massage, and wellness schools, offering advocacy, professional development, and sector recognition programs.

https://www.myaacs.org/ Membership: 500

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)

The largest U.S. education association dedicated to career and technical education (CTE) professionals, delivering advocacy, leadership, and professional development for secondary, postsecondary, and adult CTE.

https://www.acteonline.org/ Membership: 27,000

California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS)

California’s statewide association representing private postsecondary career schools and colleges, focused on advocacy, compliance, and professional development for member institutions.

https://cappsonline.org/ Membership: 200

Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST)

Texas’s statewide association for private career colleges and schools, providing legislative and regulatory advocacy, training, and sector networking.

https://ccst.org/ Membership: 100

Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU)

The national association representing the proprietary (career) higher education sector, providing advocacy, research, and professional events for member institutions and affiliates.

https://www.career.org/ Membership: 1,300

Career & Technical Education Consortium of States (CTECS)

A multistate consortium that develops CTE assessments, standards, and resources in partnership with member education agencies and institutions.

https://www.ctecs.org/ Membership: 44

Coalition of New York State Career Schools (CNYSCS)

New York’s statewide coalition of licensed trade and business schools, providing advocacy, training resources, and an annual convention for proprietary career schools.

https://cnyscs.com/ Membership: 60

DECA Inc.

A leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for marketing, finance, hospitality, and management pathways, engaging secondary and postsecondary members in career‑ready leadership and competitive events.

https://www.deca.org/ Membership: 297,000

Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC)

Florida’s statewide association for private, career‑focused postsecondary institutions, offering advocacy, continuing education, and sector recognition programs.

https://www.fapsc.org/ Membership: 250

National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America)

The national CTSO for agricultural education, supporting leadership, skills development, and work‑based learning through local chapters aligned to agriscience and related career pathways.

https://www.ffa.org/ Membership: 1,027,273

HOSA–Future Health Professionals

The CTSO for health sciences pathways, advancing leadership, professional skills, and service learning for students preparing for healthcare careers.

https://hosa.org/ Membership: 260,000

Mid‑Atlantic Association of Career Schools (MAACS)

A regional association (formerly PAPSA) serving career schools across the Mid‑Atlantic, focused on advocacy, compliance, training, and convenings for member institutions.

https://maacs.us/ Membership: 100

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)

The leading network for entrepreneurship education within community and technical colleges, providing funding opportunities, professional development, and peer collaboration.

https://www.nacce.com/ Membership: 400

National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS)

A national association of state regulators and stakeholders that advances effective oversight of private postsecondary education; membership includes state agencies, institutions, and partners.

https://nasasps.org/ Membership: 100

Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE)

Ohio’s statewide CTE professional association (an ACTE affiliate) serving secondary, adult, and postsecondary career‑tech educators and administrators with advocacy and professional learning.

https://www.ohioacte.org/ Membership: 6,500

Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC)

The association serving Ohio’s 22 community colleges with advocacy, policy support, and professional development to strengthen workforce and technical education.

https://ohiocommunitycolleges.org/ Membership: 22

Private College and School Association of New Jersey (PCSA‑NJ)

The statewide association representing the majority of New Jersey’s privately owned postsecondary career schools, focused on advocacy, sector visibility, and member services.

https://www.pcsanj.com/ Membership: 10

SkillsUSA

The national CTSO spanning skilled trades, technical, and service occupations; provides leadership training, competitions, and industry partnerships for secondary and postsecondary programs.

https://www.skillsusa.org/ Membership: 438,000