A study examined the role of trade associations in vocational education programming. The primary objectives of the study were to identify ways to improve vocational education planning through greater involvement of trade associations in ways other than as suppliers of labor market information and to determine whether national or state trade associations are likely sources of useful labor market information for vocational education planning. Approximately 100 candidate trade associations were identified from a preliminary survey of state directors of vocational education. Of these, five national trade associations were selected for on-site case studies, and 53 state trade associations were selected for abbreviated case studies that were conducted by telephone. The case studies resulted in findings dealing with the following aspects of the role of trade associations in vocational education: current operational activities conducted by trade associations in support of vocational education planning and programming and the prospects of their future involvement; present and prospective initiation of linkages between trade associations and vocational education; current and prospective practices for the planning and operational phases of trade associations-vocational education linkage activities; benefits of trade associations linkages with vocational education; and facilitators and inhibitors influencing planning, conduct, and outcomes of trade association-sponsored activities. (Appendixes include various project correspondence, a project profile, the national trade association case study interview schedule, the case study instrument for assessing market/changing technology information, and planning/programming and labor market/changing technology grids.) (MN)