Workforce Development & Economic Policy

A top priority of the nation’s Governors is expanding economic opportunity and advancing the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive and prosper. As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors are responsible for setting strategic priorities that align workforce and economic development activities across their states toward a shared vision of societal and economic wellbeing. The NGA Center supports the nation’s Governors by sharing best practices and providing technical assistance services to state leaders including Governors’ economic policy advisors, Governors’ workforce development policy advisors, state economic development organization leaders, state workforce development board chairs and state workforce agency leaders. Focus areas include reducing barriers to economic participation; fostering economic dynamism and job growth; and providing training and employment opportunities that support employers’ talent needs and lead to family-sustaining careers.

Latest

Governors Call on Congress to Keep Government Open

Governors Call on Congress to Keep Government Open

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 ...
Early Wins: A Tailored Tool For A Big Problem

Early Wins: A Tailored Tool For A Big Problem

Policymakers and technologists who are working to build learning and employment records talk about the ways they could transform how people navigate education and work—supercharging competency-based education, skills-based hiring, and ...
State and Local Leaders Urge Congress to Extend TANF Program

State and Local Leaders Urge Congress to Extend TANF Program

The Honorable Ron Wyden ChairmanSenate Committee on Finance 2221 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jason SmithChairmanHouse Committee on Ways and Means 1011 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, ...
Governors Urge Congress to pass appropriations for fiscal year 2024

Governors Urge Congress to pass appropriations for fiscal year 2024

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis released the following statement strongly urging Congress to swiftly pass appropriations for ...

Featured

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.


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Workforce Development Library

States Expand Employment and Training Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) released a white paper, States Expand Employment and Training Opportunities for People with Disabilities. The white paper outlines the employment ...
Governors Praise Senate for  Protecting Education, Workforce Funding

Governors Praise Senate for Protecting Education, Workforce Funding

House is called on to follow, preserve critical funding  WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today released a statement regarding Senate and House consideration of FY 2019 Labor, Health and Human ...

States collaborate to deliver results for the on-demand workforce

WASHINGTON—Today the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) announced that seven states—Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania—have been selected to participate in a new multistate collaborative project ...

Governors Applaud Signing of New Job Training Law

Congress’ Work to Revamp Perkins Will Boost Education Innovation The National Governors Association (NGA) released the following statement on the president’s signature of H.R. 2353, The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for ...

Innovation, International Cooperation and the Future of Work Take Center Stage at the 2018 NGA Summer Meeting

WASHINGTON—Last week, 21 governors, their staff, policy experts, international leaders and business executives met in Santa Fe, N.M., for the 2018 NGA Summer Meeting. These thought leaders met for three ...
Governors: Passage of Perkins Reauthorization a Win for States and Students

Governors: Passage of Perkins Reauthorization a Win for States and Students

New law will help governors connect education to workforce needs WASHINGTON—National Governors Association (NGA) released the following statement on U.S. Senate and House passage of the Strengthening Career and Technical ...
NGA 2018 Summer Meeting

NGA 2018 Summer Meeting

Session videos from the National Governors Association Summer Meeting 2018 which took place July 20 & 21 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. View Full Playlist ...

Governors: Senate’s Career and Technical Education Bill Will Fuel Innovation

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) released the following statement on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s consideration of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century ...
Aligning State Systems for a Talent-Driven Economy: A Road Map for States

Aligning State Systems for a Talent-Driven Economy: A Road Map for States

Summary The National Governors Association (NGA) released a comprehensive report, Aligning State Systems for a Talent-Driven Economy: A Road Map for States. The road map highlights the current disparities in ...

Economic Policy Library

Marketplace Fairness

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte Chairman Committee on the Judiciary United States House of Representatives 2138 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C.  20515 The Honorable John Conyers Ranking Member Committee on ...

Testimony – Business Activity Tax

Statement of David Quam, Deputy Director, National Governors Association before the House Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law on H.R. 2992, the “Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of ...
New Engines of Growth: Five Roles for Arts, Culture and Design

New Engines of Growth: Five Roles for Arts, Culture and Design

This report focuses on the ways that arts, culture, and design can assist states as they seek to create jobs and boost their economies in the short run and transition ...

Testimony – Enhanced Rescission Authority

Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before you today on behalf of the nation’s governors on the issue of state line item veto rules ...

Testimony – ARRA Oversight

Chairman Towns, Ranking Member Issa, members of the committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for holding a hearing to review and discuss state efforts to implement the ...

Testimony – Stimulus Oversight

Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins, members of the committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss state efforts to ...

Testimony – Economic and Employment Impact of the Arts and Music Industry

Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, and members of the committee, my name is John Thomasian and I am the director of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA ...
Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development

Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development

Through the creative industries, states have an opportunity to create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. (View/Download) Arts and culture are ...
Promoting Film and Media to Enhance State Economic Development

Promoting Film and Media to Enhance State Economic Development

Film and media arts can play a key role in state economic development. As economic impact studies continue to demonstrate the ability of the film industry to create high-paying jobs, ...