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

Diversifying Partnerships for Success in Work-Based Learning

Governors have the unique ability to convene and support diverse partnerships in WBL. Their WBL strategy should consider the full breadth of potential partnerships and how those partnerships can help ...

Ability to Benefit Action Lab

Ability to Benefit can help students without a high school diploma or equivalency qualify for federal financial aid for postsecondary career pathways programs. This virtual action lab, held in partnership ...

Leveraging Registered Apprenticeship to Build a Thriving and Inclusive Economy

As Governors continue to navigate an evolving labor market and economic climate, registered apprenticeship can be leveraged as a proven strategy for bolstering both businesses and workers. (Download) Executive Summary ...

Return Utah: A Work-Based Learning Initiative for the Long-Term Out of Work

Staff from the NGA Center for Best Practices recently sat down with Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson to learn about the Return Utah program. While in Utah, staff visited several ...

Infrastructure and Workforce Development

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will have a significant effect on the federal workforce system at large and there are a few key items that present new opportunities for ...

What the Infrastructure Package Means for Workforce Development: Opportunities for Governors

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes new allowable uses for transportation funds, investments in digital equity and inclusion, and planning to strengthen the transportation workforce. (Download) On November 15, ...

SNAP E&T Action Lab

This Action Lab focused on leveraging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) to expand access to and support student success in education and training programs that lead ...

National Governors Association Welcomes 6 States to 2nd Phase of Workforce Innovation Network

Hawaiʻi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island Join Network to Close Workforce Achievement Gaps by Advancing Digital Skill Development Building upon the success of the first phase ...

State Strategies for Skills and Lifelong Learning Systems

This online gathering engaged state policymakers, philanthropy, business leaders, and higher education institutions in a unique cross-sector conversation on the future of state systems of lifelong learning. On October 27-28, ...

Economic Policy Library

NGA OUTDOOR RECREATION LEARNING NETWORK

Helping governors and their outdoor recreation staff explore strategies to leverage their unique natural, cultural and historical resources to improve access to and help promote economic, social and environmental benefits ...

Guidance on Reopening Businesses

As stay-at-home orders are being lifted and as pressure mounts to reopen businesses, states should consider the types of regulations they will enforce and guidance they will provide to businesses ...

Congress’ Failure to Reach Agreement on Aid to State and Local Governments Leaves Them in an Untenable Position

The failure of Congress to reach a compromise on a new coronavirus relief package imperils the ability of state and local government to maintain sound operations and critical services for ...

National Governors Association Leaders Call on Congress to Come Together on Coronavirus Relief

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, the NGA vice chair, reacted to Congress’ failure to reach a compromise ...

NGA 2020 Summer Meeting

Videos from the 2020 Virtual Summer Meeting with remarks from outgoing NGA Chair, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and incoming NGA Chair, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Also featuring three questions ...

Recent Treasury Report Fails to Account for Allocated Coronavirus Relief Funds as the Country Faces Historic Drop in GDP and Record Unemployment

The seven bipartisan organizations representing state and local governments today responded to a recent report by the Department of Treasury about state expenditures from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) approved ...