Workforce Development & Economic Policy

Governors are working to expand economic opportunity and advance the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors set strategic priorities to align workforce and economic development activities to build a shared vision of societal and economic well-being. The NGA Workforce Development & Economic Policy program supports Governors and their appointees in developing and executing on these priorities.

Featured Initiatives

NGA Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

NGA provides advisors and other Governor-appointed state workforce system leaders with technical assistance on a broad range of workforce development policy issues through policy memoranda; in-state site visits and presentations, and facilitated connections with subject matter experts. The team also holds biannual convenings and monthly briefings and issues a weekly newsletter.

Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative

The NGA Center’s joint project with the U.S. Department of Labor supports Governors and their advisors as they develop and implement their federally required four-year strategic plans for workforce development. Technical assistance offerings include an emphasis on implementation of federal investments that passed during the 117^th Congress, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.

NGA Economic Policy Advisors and Economic Policy Technical Assistance

NGA provides Governor-appointed state economic development leaders and advisors with highly responsive and customized best practice research, strategic planning facilitation, timely information from federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on a broad range of economic policy priorities. This includes an upcoming virtual event series as well as a bi-weekly newsletter.

Meet The Team

Jack Porter, Program Director
Sally Rood, Senior Policy Analyst
Jordan Morang, Senior Policy Analyst
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Coordinator

Focus Areas

Apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
Sector-focused workforce and economic development strategies
Workforce development financing, governance, and innovation
Outdoor recreation & economic development
Service-to-career pathways and public sector employment
IIJA, CHIPS and IRA implementation Future of work, digital transformation and digital skills
Disability inclusive workforce policy

Services Available

Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on workforce and economic development topics or initiatives
Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation services for Governor-appointed state workforce development boards
Convenings for workforce and economic development advisors and state leaders on emerging issues
Regular newsletters for state workforce and economic development leaders
Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Workforce Development Library

Computer Science Education and The Workforce

Governors, First Spouses, industry partners and national experts met in Boston, Massachusetts, to discuss K-12 computer science education, the focus of the NGA Chairman’s Initiative. By Catherine Van Ness Photo: ...

Making the Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the 2022 NGA Winter Workforce Symposium, State workforce development leaders engaged with business leaders and subject matter experts on the benefits of advancing equitable employment for underserved and marginalized ...

Empowering Returning Citizens to Connect to Higher Education and Employment Opportunities

The 2022 NGA Winter Workforce Symposium Highlight featured a session on empowering people leaving prison in the workforce through connecting them to higher education and employment opportunities. by Rachel Hirsch ...

States Collaborate to Combat Health Worker Shortage

14 states join National Governors Association (NGA) program focused on strategies to grow and retain the next generation of the health care workforce. WASHINGTON – California, Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming ...

Addressing the Dearth of Digital Skills Data: Opportunities for States

Governors are working to address the digital skill divide and upskill local workforces for the future. by Katherine Ash States across the nation are advancing digital equity by forming coalitions, ...

State Workforce System Leaders Highlight Shared Challenges and Opportunities for Partnership at Bi-Annual Workforce Symposium

State workforce development boards and agencies play a crucial role in driving innovation and best practices that lead to better educational and employment outcomes for their constituents. by Rachael Stephens ...

National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs

The Association provides a vehicle for state workforce board chairs and staff directors to learn from the experiences of others in similar positions, share best practices and solutions to shared ...

National Association of State Liaisons for Workforce Development Partnerships

The Association offers an orderly and effective means for state representatives to collectively speak on issues of concern related to workforce and economic development, with a connection to and platform ...

Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

Through this program NGA provides state workforce system leaders with best practice research, strategic planning and meeting facilitation, access to federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on ...

Economic Policy Library

National Governors Association Chair Andrew M. Cuomo and Vice Chair Asa Hutchinson Statement on Meeting With President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

New York Governor and National Governors Association Chairman Andrew M. Cuomo and Arkansas Governor and NGA Vice Chairman Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement after meeting with President Biden and ...

A Strong National Economy Depends on Strong States and Territories

Topline Through prudent fiscal management and due to fundamental strengths in the broader economy, states and territories have so far averted the worst-case scenarios in cuts to their workforces and ...

Unemployment Insurance During COVID-19

This memo describes: What current unemployment assistance flexibilities exist under the CARES Act and Continued Assistance Act; What presidential actions have been taken to provide additional unemployment compensation as CARES ...

2021 State of the States Addresses

Playlist with clips from Governor State of the State addresses. Click here for links to full address text and video. View Full Playlist ...

New Relief Coming From Washington – What Does This Mean For Rental and Utility Assistance?

Through the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Governors and local officials are providing emergency rental and utility assistance for effected individuals and families. by Jordan Hynes and Michael Bonino-Britsch Throughout ...

National Governors Association, Cognizant U.S. Foundation Launch Workforce Innovation Network to Support a Robust, Equitable Recovery

As Governors lead efforts to promote equitable and forward-looking economic recovery in their states and territories, the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices announced the launch of the ...

State Roadmap for Workforce Recovery

This roadmap is designed to help Governors and state leaders address four objectives necessary to respond holistically to the unemployment crisis as well as to recover and build resilience in ...

Workforce Innovation Network

The Workforce Innovation Network will help facilitate innovative state-level policy solutions that improve employment and workforce outcomes. This page should redirect to: https://www.nga.org/workforce-innovation-network/ If not redirected please click here to ...

Outdoor Recreation Learning Network – Annual Meeting 2021

The annual meeting will discuss how states can advance outdoor recreation issues including economic recovery from COVID-19, developing partnerships to leverage limited public dollars, accessing federal economic development grants, promoting ...