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
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Analyst
Malena Dailey, Policy Analyst

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

Workforce Development in the IIJA, CHIPS and IRA

This toolkit draws on insight from federal officials to outline the most pertinent programs and opportunities for state workforce development policymakers to consider as they seek to play a proactive ...

Engaging Employers in the Apprenticeship System through IRA Tax Incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 is the largest federal investment in clean energy in U.S. history and includes substantial tax incentives for employers who pay prevailing wages and ...

Disability Employment

Expanding access to education, training, and high-quality employment opportunities for people with disabilities is a bipartisan priority for Governors ...

How Governors Can Execute Their Vision for Workforce Development: Policy Levers Available Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

This brief outlines the menu of policy options Governors have available to them when assessing how to optimize their public workforce system so that it responds to their state or ...

How Governors are Supporting Apprenticeship, Youth Apprenticeship and Other Forms of Work-Based Learning

Lessons From NGA Center’s Workforce Symposiums By Jordan Morang The bi-annual NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Workforce Symposiums provide an opportunity for state workforce leaders to address the ...

Infrastructure Workforce Resources

Governors and other state and territory leaders across the country agree on the urgent need to develop a qualified workforce to design, build and maintain infrastructure investments. Several states and ...

Digital Equity and the Future of Work: How Six Governors are Advancing Digital Skills for Equitable Economic Participation

Hawai’i, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island brought together interagency teams to develop state plans to close digital skills gaps in priority industries, geographies and demographics in ...

6 States Awarded Grant Funding to Boost Workforce Participation, Economic Mobility

Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, North Dakota, Virginia and Washington to develop programs to promote skills-based training and hiring WASHINGTON D.C. – Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, North Dakota, Virginia and Washington will receive ...

Action Lab on Youth Apprenticeship

In its role as a national partner in the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) hosted a virtual action lab on ...

Economic Policy Library

Governors Propose Infrastructure Investments to Support Long Term Economic Recovery

As the nation’s economy looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, states are positioned to maximize the benefits from infrastructure investments. by Thomas Curtin, Program Director, Infrastructure As the nation ...

The Road Ahead: A Summary of State Economic Recovery Agendas

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis have posed exceptional challenges for states. This brief summarizes the proactive economic recovery efforts a number of states are undertaking. They illustrate various ...

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 ...

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 ...