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.

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 117th 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

Leveraging Technology for Human-Centered One-Stop Workforce Service Delivery

Leveraging Technology for Human-Centered One-Stop Workforce Service Delivery

A case study of the Hawai‘i Career Acceleration Navigator -- an accessible, data-driven and full-service government platform for unemployed people and other jobseekers to search for jobs and access supportive ...
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Governors Welcome Action to Address Teacher Shortages

Governors Welcome Action to Address Teacher Shortages

Today, National Governors Association Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Vice Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox released the following statement regarding the administration’s efforts to address teacher shortages and ...
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Governors Focus on the Recovery of Travel and Tourism at the NGA Summer Meeting

Governors Focus on the Recovery of Travel and Tourism at the NGA Summer Meeting

A look at the discussion Governors had with travel and tourism industry leaders regarding the industry’s impact on economic activity and job creation. At the NGA Summer Meeting, Governors met ...
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K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

Outgoing NGA Chairman Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson opened the NGA Summer Meeting with an overview of his 2021-2022 Chairman’s Initiative to expand K-12 computer science education. After announcing the initiative last ...
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Leveraging the Digital Equity Act To Advance Digital Skills

Leveraging the Digital Equity Act To Advance Digital Skills

This guide offers three key strategies and guiding questions for employers to contribute to Digital Equity Act planning and implementation, as well as strategies for state policymakers to support and ...
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State Policy Playbook To Advance Youth Apprenticeship

State Policy Playbook To Advance Youth Apprenticeship

By supporting and expanding youth apprenticeship programs, states can create stronger connections across secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, workforce development systems and community-based organizations. (Download) Executive Summary During a time ...
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Governors Implement: Broadband, Workforce Innovation and Digital Equity

Governors Implement: Broadband, Workforce Innovation and Digital Equity

How Governors are Advancing Workforce Innovation, Broadband Access and Digital Skills in America’s Workforce. By Rachael Stephens and Katherine Ash This week, Governors’ broadband advisors and workforce development leaders will ...
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Pre-Apprenticeship Action Lab

Pre-Apprenticeship Action Lab

National Governors Association, in partnership with Education Strategy Group, and thanks to support from the Siemens Foundation, hosted its fourth in a series of Action Labs as part of its ...
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State efforts to expand the healthcare workforce

State efforts to expand the healthcare workforce

Governors have celebrated the healthcare workforce and called for an increased focus on their recruitment and retention, as well as renewed equitable access to medical career pathways. by Nathan Le ...
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Economic Policy Library

Letter Regarding the Coronavirus Relief Fund

Letter Regarding the Coronavirus Relief Fund

NGA and other state and local organizations sent a letter to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Inspector Generalexpressing concern that recent changes to the regulatory and oversight ...
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NGA OUTDOOR RECREATION LEARNING NETWORK

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 ...
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Guidance on Reopening Businesses

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

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

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 ...
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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 ...
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If state and local governments continue to struggle, so will America

Opinion by Bill McBride, Matthew Chase, Clarence Anthony, Marc A. Ott, Tim Storey, David Adkins and Tom Cochran ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON CNN.COMWhile much of the media and the public remain ...
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coronavirus image

Four Ways Congress Can Partner with States and Territories to Combat COVID-19

Susie Perez Quinn | Director, Government Relations As leaders of their respective states and territories, governors are battling the effects of the coronavirus on all fronts: protecting and supporting public ...
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National Governors Association Leadership Statement on Congressional Coronavirus Relief Negotiations

National Governors Association Leadership Statement on Congressional Coronavirus Relief Negotiations

Governors Larry Hogan of Maryland, the National Governors Association chair, and Andrew Cuomo of New York, the NGA vice chair, issued the following statement about the ongoing congressional coronavirus relief ...
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