Career and Technical Student Organizations

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is specifically designed to provide activities for students to learn marketing, management, and entrepreneurial skills that will prepare them to pursue a career in the field of marketing. DECA members become more aware of the value of community service; participate in a local, state, and national competitive events program that showcases student skills and allows for interaction with the business community; further develop occupational skills needed for careers in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship; serve in leadership roles; and develop a greater understanding of our competitive, free-enterprise system and an appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a student organization for all middle and high school students participating in business programs. This nonprofit student organization prepares today’s students for success in business leadership. FBLA is an important partner in the success of school-to-work programs, business education curricula, and student leadership development. As an integral part of the business instructional program, FBLA provides opportunities for students to develop vocational and career-supportive competencies. Participation in FBLA activities promotes civic and personal responsibility; helps students develop business leadership skills and establish career goals; and prepares them for useful citizenship and productive careers. Georgia FBLA is the largest FBLA chapter in the nation with more than 17,500 members.

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and social issues through family and consumer sciences education. Through cooperative and competitive programs, FCCLA members develop skills for life including character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. Participation in national programs and co-curricular chapter activities enables FCCLA members to learn cooperation, take responsibility, develop leadership, and give service. Georgia FCCLA offers more than 19,000 Georgia members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life—planning, goal setting, problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication—necessary in the home and workplace. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns, including parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, environment, nutrition and fitness, inter-generational communication, and career education.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology and to be technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills. Students who participate in FIRST also participate in FIRST robotics competitions— at the elementary and middle school levels with FIRST LEGO League Jr. and LEGO League, and in high school FIRST robotics competitions.

The mission of Georgia's Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA) is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill, and leadership development of all health occupations students, therefore, helping the students to meet the needs of the health care community. Members attend leadership conferences featuring competition in nearly 50 healthcare-related skills.

The mission of Georgia SkillsUSA is to develop leadership skills and workplace competencies that students will need to succeed in a constantly changing global workplace. Georgia SkillsUSA members participate in local, state, and national activities provided through trade and industrial, technical, and health occupations courses and programs. The mission of SkillsUSA is to develop leadership skills and workplace competencies that students will need to succeed in a constantly changing global workplace. The organization provides many opportunities for leadership development and skills training. Competition in over 70 leadership, health occupations, occupationally related, and trade, industrial, and technical contests is offered at the region and state levels, culminating with the SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri, in June. More than 6,300 Georgia members compete at the regional and state levels.

Georgia Technology Student Association (GA TSA) is committed to providing students with opportunities to excel and advance as part of their instruction in technology education. Georgia TSA promotes technology education as a means of preparing students for a dynamic world, inviting them to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and technologically literate leaders. The mission of GA TSA is to prepare its members to be successful leaders and responsible citizens in a technological society through co-curricular activities with the technology education program, thereby developing communication, leadership, and competitive skills.