A study was conducted to (1) review state board of education procedures used in assuring that local advisory councils (LACs) are being used in preparing local plans; (2) develop a profile of LACs created to advise on 1978 plans; and (3) discover how LACs regard their role in local plan development for North Carolina vocational education in local schools (145 units) and community colleges/technical institutes (57 colleges). In a survey of LAC members 886 out of 1880 questionnaires were returned. The study concluded that the state board of education did require local recipients annual applications to show that a LAC had been established. A LAC profile revealed overrepresentation by white males and members of the education profession and underrepresentation of those under twenty-five. Most LAC members felt their primary role was to develop the local application and to provide information on local industrial needs. It is recommended that appointments to LACs should show more concern for race/sex/age composition, orient members to their expected role, include a membership representative of trades/professions taught in vocational programs, and balance membership between educational professionals and other professionals. (Appendixes contain assurance of advisory committee forms and LAC survey materials.) (CSS)