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

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

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 ...
Read More
Action Lab on Youth Apprenticeship

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 ...
Read More
Supporting Workers with Disabilities by Addressing the Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage

Supporting Workers with Disabilities by Addressing the Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage

A lack of psychiatrists, clinical social workers, therapists and other healthcare workers severely limits a state’s ability to serve workers experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions that ...
Read More
Lessons Learned In Workforce Innovation: How Six States Are Planning to Advance Digital Skills for Equitable Economic Participation

Lessons Learned In Workforce Innovation: How Six States Are Planning to Advance Digital Skills for Equitable Economic Participation

Governors are prioritizing digital skill development across the education and training continuum, from K-12 curriculum to upskilling and reskilling for workers and adult learners. (Download) Executive Summary The COVID-19 pandemic ...
Read More
State Strategies to Foster Inclusive Apprenticeships for People with Disabilities

State Strategies to Foster Inclusive Apprenticeships for People with Disabilities

Building inclusive apprenticeship programs for people with disabilities is a proven strategy that can lead to strong wages, a pathway to future career opportunities and sustainable permanent employment in high-quality ...
Read More
Summer 2022 Workforce Symposium: Engaging Stakeholders to Advance Digital Skills

Summer 2022 Workforce Symposium: Engaging Stakeholders to Advance Digital Skills

NGA Workforce Innovation Network state grantees partner with employers to bridge the digital divide and adapt to the digital transformation of work By Sophia Yager The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a ...
Read More
State Workforce Leaders Convene in Oklahoma City to Share Best Practices, Common Challenges at Bi-Annual Symposium

State Workforce Leaders Convene in Oklahoma City to Share Best Practices, Common Challenges at Bi-Annual Symposium

State workforce development boards and agencies play a crucial role in driving innovation and best practices that lead to better employment opportunities for their residents. by Jack Porter On August ...
Read More
Advancing Economic Mobility for Low-Income Families: Policy Options for Governors

Advancing Economic Mobility for Low-Income Families: Policy Options for Governors

As we look to post-pandemic recovery, it will be critical to ensure that individuals have access to resources and supports that not only help them meet basic needs but also ...
Read More
Skills-Driven State Community of Practice

Skills-Driven State Community of Practice

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF), has launched a project to help Governors’ offices and other senior state ...
Read More

Economic Policy Library

Putting CARES Act Funds to Work: Investing in Education, Investing in Recovery

Putting CARES Act Funds to Work: Investing in Education, Investing in Recovery

Federal support is needed to ensure school safety, as well as protect public health, stimulate the economy, coordinate and support vaccine distribution, and help prevent tax increases. Our recovery is ...
Read More
Coronavirus Relief Fund Eligibility Items

Coronavirus Relief Fund Eligibility Items

States and local governments are spending money from the CARES Act quickly and wisely. This list illustrates the level of complexity and increasing number of eligible items that states, territories ...
Read More
coronavirus image

National Governors Association Leadership Calls on Congress to Prioritize State and Local Aid

‘This Is a National Problem, and It Demands a Bipartisan and National Solution’ WASHINGTON – New York Governor and National Governors Association Chairman Andrew Cuomo and Arkansas Governor and NGA ...
Read More
Policy Making During a Pandemic: Navigating the New Normal and What Lies Ahead Roundtables

Policy Making During a Pandemic: Navigating the New Normal and What Lies Ahead Roundtables

Throughout the month of October, NGA will be hosting four policy roundtables for state policymakers and NGA experts to discuss today's most pressing policy priorities. We will convene to discuss ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Please see our privacy policy for more information.