For 30 years, the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) has been an independent nonproft advancing workforce education at community and technical colleges across the nation. The organization has been an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges for 50 years, to align our work with national advocacy efforts to strengthen community colleges.

NCWE drives excellence and innovation, expands impact, and elevates the value of workforce education. We champion the power of workforce education as a transformative force—spanning adult education, noncredit and credit microcredentials, stackable certificates, career and technical education (CTE) degrees, apprenticeships, and applied baccalaureate programs. 

NCWE is deeply committed to the open access mission of community colleges and believes that everyone deserves a fair shot at realizing their education and career goals. By ensuring all learners have the resources and programs they need to develop skills, earn college credentials, and secure high-quality careers, we propel both individual success and collective economic growth. We know that serving those furthest from opportunity spurs economic development that creates vibrant communities and thriving local economies that benefit all of us.

NCWE is dedicated to making this vision a reality. Our learners, partners, communities, industries, and economies depend on it. We center student voices, lived expertise, and practitioner insights to shape our work. Our values, vision, and mission reflect this unwavering commitment.