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

State and Territorial Workforce Development Successes

State and territory workforce development programs are crucial for addressing local labor market needs by providing training and education that align with current industry demands. These programs also support economic ...

Driving Public Sector Innovation Through Skills-Based Hiring

State governments across the nation are leading a transformation in talent management, shifting toward a more skills-focused approach, which prioritizes a candidate’s skills, competencies, and relevant work experience over traditional ...

Governors Reshaping Workforce Development: Turning WIOA Challenges into Workforce Solutions

Across the country, Governors are finding new ways to strengthen their workforce systems. From reorganizing state agencies to improving industry engagement and providing essential support services, states are taking bold ...

2025 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute

The first session on the first day of the 2025 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute, held March 12–14 in Washington, D.C., presented a perfect encapsulation of why workforce development remains ...

Governors Discuss Workforce Innovation

WASHINGTON – During the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting, members of the Education, Workforce, and Community Investment Task Force convened to discuss apprenticeships and non-degree pathways as essential tools ...

Six States Selected for NGA Center Service-to-Career Pathways Policy Academy

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to co-chair Advisory Board WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) has launched a Service-to-Career ...

New Report: Growing Number of States Drop Degree Requirements

National Governors Association study examines state impacts of skills-based practices WASHINGTON, D.C. – Skills-based job postings rapidly increase when states drop degree requirements for public sector jobs, according to a ...

Empowering Progress: Harnessing Skills-Based Strategies to Drive Public Sector Excellence

The public sector plays a key role in advancing skills-based strategies, driven by gubernatorial leadership. Whether in the early stages or more advanced in their adoption of skills-based policies and ...

Hard at Work(force) Development

The NGA Center’s Workforce Development team had a busy fall with new publications on Actualizing the Promise of Youth Apprenticeship, Workforce Strategies for New Industrial Policies, and Aligning the Workforce ...

Economic Policy Library

Innovative Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Awards

This report is about the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation (TTOR) grants made by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) based on the American Rescue Plan Act ...

Navigating the GenAI Frontier: Strategies for Governors’ Offices

Governors are working to maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and NGA is assisting in identify both. Over the past year we have held a ...

Federal Agency Representatives Join 2024 NGA Summer Meeting

At the 2024 NGA Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, representatives from multiple federal agencies held meetings with Governors’ staff members to focus on coordination between state and federal ...

New State Models Emerging for Fostering Entrepreneurship

Almost all net job growth is generated by businesses started less than five years ago, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Governors recognize the importance of new businesses ...

Governors Leading on Artificial Intelligence

As with any new technology, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a tremendous opportunity to improve society. But, as with any new technology, AI also has potential drawbacks. In the absence of ...

Weaving State & Federal Manufacturing Support Strategies through Regional Consortia

The NGA Center and the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC) co-hosted a webinar on February 7 about how Governors can incorporate practices employed by regional manufacturing consortia that have federal ...

Governors Urge Congress to Fund Government, Avoid Shutdown

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement as Congress considers legislation to fund ...

NGA Sends Letter Outlining WRDA Priorities

The Honorable Tom CarperChairmanCommittee on the Environment and Public WorksUnited States Senate513 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable Sam GravesChairmanCommittee on Transportation and InfrastructureUnited States House of Representatives1135 ...

Governors Share Housing Solutions

No state is immune from housing supply challenges – from residents leaving states due to high costs and low affordability to lack of housing for public workers like fire, police, ...