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

Ensuring Equitable Access to and Success in Work-Based Learning: A Rhode Island Case Study

Ensuring Equitable Access to and Success in Work-Based Learning: A Rhode Island Case Study

Rhode Island’s intentional approach to closing access and attainment gaps in its work-based learning programs is a model that state policymakers can apply to their own education and workforce programs ...
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Alabama and Hawaii Focus on Providing Job Opportunities in the Post-Pandemic Economy

Alabama and Hawaii Focus on Providing Job Opportunities in the Post-Pandemic Economy

These states join several others in the Workforce Innovation Network – a collaborative led by the National Governors Association – to better connect employment seekers to work, education and other ...
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Equipping the Outdoor Workforce of the Future: Collaborative Strategies for States and Outdoor Recreation Partners

Equipping the Outdoor Workforce of the Future: Collaborative Strategies for States and Outdoor Recreation Partners

This webinar showcases innovative and collaborative programs through the University of Colorado and Oregon State University to build the outdoor industry talent pipeline and facilitate state, industry, and academic collaboration ...
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State Solutions for Supporting the Return to Work and Filling Open Jobs

State Solutions for Supporting the Return to Work and Filling Open Jobs

As the economic recovery picks up, governors and state leaders are identifying and addressing barriers that keep their workforce from returning to work and filling open positions posted by employers ...
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Governors’ Role in Promoting Disability Employment in COVID-19 Recovery Strategies

Governors’ Role in Promoting Disability Employment in COVID-19 Recovery Strategies

Because people with disabilities face disproportionate consequences of COVID-19, it will be critical to ensure adequate protections and supports are available to them in order to promote opportunities for safe ...
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Creating a Responsive and Sustainable Statewide Work-Based Learning Structure

Creating a Responsive and Sustainable Statewide Work-Based Learning Structure

This reference guide outlines what policymakers should consider when creating a statewide work-based learning structure. (View/Download) Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic forced state education and workforce systems to quickly adapt to ...
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10 States Awarded Grants to Accelerate COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Efforts

10 States Awarded Grants to Accelerate COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Efforts

Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada and Washington Named to Inaugural Workforce Innovation Network Cohort Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada and Washington ...
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Supporting A Trained Direct Care Workforce In Facility Settings During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic

Supporting A Trained Direct Care Workforce In Facility Settings During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic

The direct care workforce is a critical component of a well-functioning health system. These occupations are reliable entry points into the health sector, but limited wage potential as well as ...
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Rethinking Occupational Licensing After COVID-19: The Governor’s Role

Rethinking Occupational Licensing After COVID-19: The Governor’s Role

The Occupational Licensing Final Report: Assessing State Policies and Practices highlights lessons learned from the consortiums’ work with 16 states that can inform future action by Governors and state legislators ...
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Economic Policy Library

NGA Statement on Supreme Court Ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair

The National Governors Association released today the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in South Dakota v. Wayfair (No. 17-494) The National Governors Association praises today’s opinion by ...
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NGA Statement on U.S. Municipal Securities as High-Quality Liquid Assets

NGA Statement on U.S. Municipal Securities as High-Quality Liquid Assets The National Governors Association today released the following statement in reaction to Congress’ support in treating U.S. Municipal Securities as High-Quality ...
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Advanced Refunding

Dear Member of Congress: The national organizations listed above represent hundreds of thousands of public-sector entities that issue debt to finance and build the infrastructure that contributes to strong economies ...
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Parents And Children Thriving Together: Two-Generation State Policy Network Midpoint Meeting

March 19-20, 2018 | New Brunswick, NJ Two-generation strategies seek to promote children’s learning and healthy development while simultaneously promoting the parents’ success as both caregivers and breadwinners. The National ...
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Parents and Children Thriving Together: The Role of State Agencies in Crafting a Statewide Two-Generation Strategy

Summary Governors are responsible for ensuring that state government systems meet the needs of low-income families as effectively and efficiently as possible. Two-generation policy strategies can make a range of ...
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Tax Reform (State and Local Tax Deduction and Municipal Bonds)

The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Minority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Paul Ryan Speaker U.S. House of ...
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NGA Joins State, Local Coalition ‘Americans Against Double Taxation’

The National Governors Association (NGA) has joined Americans Against Double Taxation, a coalition comprised of state and local government organizations, education and other public service providers and housing organizations. All of ...
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State Strategies for Venture Capital and Rural Development

State Strategies for Venture Capital and Rural Development

This webinar featured model rural programs from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. It was open to all governors’ economic policy advisors, commerce directors, and ...
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SELF DRIVE Act

The Honorable Paul Ryan Speaker United States House of Representatives 1233 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Ranking Member United States House of Representatives 233 ...
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