What ASE Education Foundation does

ASE Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia that evaluates and accredits entry-level automotive, collision repair, and medium/heavy truck training programs. Formed in 2018 through the merger of NATEF and AYES under the broader National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (founded 1972), the foundation accredits over 1,800 training programs serving approximately 118,000 students annually and maintains connections with 9,000 employer partners nationwide. Its portfolio comprises three core offerings — Entry-Level Certification testing, Program Accreditation, and a DOL-funded Registered Apprenticeship Program backed by a $25 million four-year federal grant — alongside supporting modules including the annual Instructor Training Conference (~300 attendees), the Find-a-School search tool, a Field Manager network covering all 50 states, scholarship programs, and the newly launched ASE Connects workforce platform acquired via WrenchWay in June 2026.

Name

ASE Education Foundation

Legal name

National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence

Website

https://aseeducationfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ASE Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits 1,800+ automotive, collision, and truck technician training programs reaching 118,000 students annually, operates certification testing, and connects schools with 9,000 employers through its workforce platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Leesburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Testing and Certification Fees: Schools and students pay for ASE Entry-Level Certification test seat licenses. Pricing varies by accreditation status (accredited vs non-accredited) and bundle size. Single seat licenses cost $47-$57, with discounts for bulk purchases.
2. Accreditation Fees: Schools pay accreditation and renewal fees. Initial accreditation costs $3,030 for first program, $1,300 for additional programs. Renewal costs $2,295 for first program, $1,115 for additional programs.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the foundation receives tax-deductible contributions from industry partners. Partners sponsor programs, donate equipment and curriculum, and provide financial support. TOPDON has donated over $300,000 through its TOP-UP program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASE Education Foundation accredits automotive, collision, and medium/heavy truck training programs at secondary and post-secondary schools under defined industry standards, and administers entry-level certification tests to students at those accredited institutions. It also operates the DOL Registered Apprenticeship pathway, the ASE Connects workforce/referral platform, and the annual ASE Instructor Training Conference, connecting ~1,800+ schools, 118,000 students, and 9,000+ employers.

Product overview

ASE Education Foundation operates as a certification and accreditation organization, not a unified software platform. Its portfolio consists of three interlocking core offerings: (1) Entry-Level and Professional Certification testing programs across Automobile, Collision Repair & Refinishing, and Medium/Heavy Truck series; (2) Program Accreditation services that evaluate schools against industry-developed standards; and (3) Workforce Development initiatives including the DOL-funded Registered Apprenticeship Program ($25M grant). Supporting modules include the annual Instructor Training Conference, the G1 Certification Pathway enabling students to earn professional credentials, the Find-a-School search tool, Field Manager support network, Student Career Development Model, ASE Connects workforce platform, and scholarship programs. The organization bridges education and the transportation service industry through partnerships with manufacturers, dealers, and associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automotive, Collision and Medium/Heavy Truck Program Accreditation

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% Better Shop Productivity - More efficient project completion
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• WrenchWaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026ASE acquired WrenchWay, bringing co-founders and employees into the ASE team. WrenchWay's technology powers ASE Connects platform, a workforce solution connecting shops, dealerships, and schools. The acquisition strengthens ASE's ability to support the transportation industry through technology and a customer-first approach.
• Autel U.S.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 February 2026Autel donated 100 professional-grade TS900 diagnostic tablet kits valued at $100,000 to ASE-accredited high school automotive programs nationwide through the ASE Education Foundation partnership.
• Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2025New partnership to provide 'Support Beyond Certification' for ASE Certified professionals and their families facing unexpected hardships. Includes coordinated communications and joint initiatives during AAPEX/SEMA week.
• TOPDON USminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2025Yearlong sponsorship provides TOPDON with opportunities to share career, educational, and technical information to ASE accredited programs. TOPDON participates in live webinar series and receives website, collateral, and newsletter inclusion. TOPDON's TOP-UP program has donated over $300,000 to automotive technician education.
• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNADA developed the 'Apprenticeship-in-a-Box' program with ASE that sponsors can use to launch registered apprenticeship programs. NADA is an initial coalition partner in the $25M DoL grant initiative.
• American Truck Dealers (ATD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATD is an initial coalition partner in the $25M DoL grant initiative to expand registered apprenticeships for auto, collision, and truck service technicians.
• Jobs for the Future (JFF)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJFF will manage incentive payments and federal reporting for the DoL grant program. They are an initial coalition partner working to expand registered apprenticeships nationwide.
• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ASE Education Foundation is closely affiliated with ASE, which develops and delivers certification tests. ASE has set standards for technician training for over 50 years. ASE certified professionals number approximately 220,000 nationwide.
• SkillsUSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focuses on student career development, providing teamwork skills training and competition opportunities. Students learn dependability, positive attitude, and collaborative spirit through SkillsUSA programs.
• Collision Repair Education FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports collision repair training programs and students through donations and collaborative initiatives. Provides scholarships and resources for collision repair education.
• TechForce FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit focused on supporting future technicians. Partners with ASE on initiatives to attract and retain automotive service professionals.
• Goodguys Rod and Custom AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint educational awareness seminars at Goodguys events. Partners identify and recruit students from local high schools and technical programs interested in automotive careers.
• General Motors (GM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGM offers factory training programs and partners with ASE-accredited schools through GM ASEP and GM BSEP programs. Employers recognize GM World Class Technician status as achievement few technicians reach.
• ToyotamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota supports the T-TEN (Toyota-Technician Education Network) program at ASE-accredited schools. Provides specialized training and career pathways for Toyota dealership technicians.
• Ford Motor CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord supports the Ford ASSET (Advanced Service Training and Education) program. Partners with ASE to provide specialized training aligned with Ford technical standards.
• HondamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) program partners with ASE-accredited schools. Provides specialized curriculum and training aligned with Honda technical requirements.
• SubaruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubaru University Training Program partners with accredited schools to provide students with industry-recognized certifications and practical training aligned with manufacturer standards.
• Snap-onminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnap-on provides tools and equipment support for ASE-accredited training programs. Also offers educational resources and career information through their platform.
• NAPA Auto PartsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNAPA AutoTech Training provides curriculum support and career pathway information. NAPA AutoJobs connects students with employment opportunities in the automotive aftermarket.
• CarMaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarMax participates in ASE partnerships to recruit and develop automotive service professionals. Provides employment opportunities for ASE-certified graduates.
• I-CARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerI-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) provides training and certification for collision repair professionals. Partners on technician shortage initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• American Welding Society (AWS): Standards, certification, and education body for the welding industry, with widely recognized credentials and accredited school programs. Comparable as a peer skilled-trades credentialing organization that combines accreditation, testing, and instructor support across a national footprint.
• HVAC Excellence: Accreditation and certification body for HVACR education programs, paralleling the ASE Education Foundation's role in another skilled-trade vertical. Comparable as an analogous program-accreditation nonprofit operating with a similar small-staff, partner-driven model in a different technical trade.

Broad incumbents

• American Truck Dealers (ATD): Division of NADA representing medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers, an initial coalition partner in the $25M DoL apprenticeship grant. Comparable as a broader industry trade association driving the same technician pipeline agenda across the truck service segment.
• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): National trade association representing franchised new-car dealers, co-developing the 'Apprenticeship-in-a-Box' program and serving as an initial coalition partner in the $25M DoL grant. Comparable as a broader industry incumbent that overlaps with the foundation's workforce development mission at scale.

Others

• Snap-on Industrial: Major tool and equipment provider that supplies ASE-accredited training programs and runs its own educational resources. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant that depends on the foundation's accredited programs for distribution and co-markets technician career pathways.

Direct peers

• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE): The closely affiliated parent organization that develops and delivers ASE professional certification tests for working technicians. Directly comparable as the credentialing counterpart to the ASE Education Foundation's entry-level accreditation work, sharing brand, board oversight, and the same 50+ year history of technician standards.
• TechForce Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to attracting and supporting future automotive and diesel technicians through scholarships, outreach, and workforce data. Directly comparable as a peer nonprofit tackling the same technician pipeline challenge from a student-recruitment and funding angle.
• I-CAR: Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, providing training and certification for collision repair professionals. Comparable as a specialized industry training and certification body that partners with the ASE Education Foundation on technician-shortage initiatives.
• Collision Repair Education Foundation: Nonprofit focused on supporting collision repair training programs and students through donations, scholarships, and industry partnerships. Directly comparable as a parallel education-focused foundation serving a related sub-segment of the transportation service technician workforce.
• SkillsUSA: National nonprofit serving middle school, high school, and college students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. Comparable as a student career-development partner that co-delivers teamwork and competition programming through ASE-accredited programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ASEtests
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asefoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/asetests

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASE Education Foundation