2.3.11.4Vertical

Trade & Technical Schools

Schools training electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and skilled tradespeople.

Market snapshot

These figures describe Vocational & Trade Schools (2.3.11), the segment that Trade & Technical Schools sits within — not Trade & Technical Schools on its own.

Market size
~$21.2B
Growth
~5.2%CAGR (2017–22, nominal)
Companies
~13,400
FragmentationFragmentedEstimate

U.S. Census Bureau 2022 CBP/Economic Census, NAICS 611410/611420/611511/611512/611513/611519/611692 (business, computer, cosmetology, flight, apprenticeship, technical/trade, and driving schools).

Business model & economics

Revenue model

Program tuition and certification fees

Key economics

Recurring revenue
Low–Moderate

cohort-based enrollment

EBITDA margin
12–25%
Capex intensity
Moderate

Characteristics

  • Renewed interest in skilled trades supports demand.
  • For-profit education faces continued regulatory scrutiny.
  • Placement outcomes differentiate and drive value.

M&A deal context

Deal activityModerate

Who’s acquiring

  • PE-backed education platforms
  • Trade-school consolidators
  • Healthcare & technical-training acquirers

What’s driving deals

  • Skilled-trade demand and degree-cost backlash.
  • Consolidation of field-specific schools with strong outcomes.
  • Regulatory scrutiny shaping the for-profit segment.

Find Trade & Technical Schools acquisition targets

Search Acquisera’s index for companies classified under Trade & Technical Schools (2.3.11.4) and build a targeted deal pipeline.

Search companies