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
Sally Rood, Senior Policy Analyst
Jordan Morang, Senior Policy Analyst
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Malena Dailey, Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Coordinator

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

Improving Outcomes for Disconnected Youth

One in eight youths in America between the ages of 16 and 24 is considered to be “disconnected,” meaning they are neither in school nor employed, and they lack the ...

Governor’s Action Guide to Achieving Good Jobs for All Americans

This guide offers a toolbox of high-impact strategies that governors can take to connect workers to good jobs today and in the future. (View/Download) Summary NGA Center for Best Practices ...

Entrepreneurship in States: Fostering a Startup-Friendly Economy

Summary The National Governors Association (NGA) released a comprehensive report, Entrepreneurship in States: Fostering a Startup-Friendly Economy. States are increasingly devoting more attention to an important, yet sometimes overlooked, tool ...

State Summit on Opportunity Zones

June 19-20, 2019 | Annapolis, MD NGA Solutions: The Center for Best Practices hosted NGA’s first-ever State Summit on Opportunity Zones. This was a collaborative effort between NGA Solutions, NGA ...

National Institute on Scaling Work-Based Learning

Date: April 8-10, 2019 Location: Point Clear, Alabama Abstract: National Governors Association Solutions: The Center for Best Practices (NGA Solutions) hosted a national institute bringing together representatives from 30 states ...

Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector

Summary A partnership between NGA Solutions: The Center for Best Practices, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) introduced an extensive ...

Braiding Funding and Leveraging Untapped Funding Streams to Support Work-Based Learning

This February 28, 2019 webinar featured: a presentation from National Skills Coalition, a state spotlight on Alabama, and an asset map tool demonstration. View/Download Slides ...

NGA 2019 Winter Meeting

Session videos from the National Governors Association Winter Meeting 2019 which took place Feb 22-25 in Washington, D.C. View Full Playlist ...

Defining and Measuring Quality in Work-Based Learning

This February 12, 2019 webinar featured a presentation by the Urban Institute on defining and measuring high-quality work-based learning, and a state example from Georgia. View/Download Slides ...

Economic Policy Library

State, Local Governments Applaud Online Sales Tax Collection Bill

The National Governors Association (NGA), the Council of State Governments, the National Association of Counties, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of ...

State, Local Groups Respond to President’s Tax Plan

Governors to Congress: Restore Rural Funding in Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today released a statement regarding reduced federal payments to states and counties under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program: “Governors call on members of Congress ...

Supporting Municipal Securities as High Quality Liquid Assets

National Governors Association U.S. Conference of Mayors National Association of Counties National League of Cities National Conference of State Legislatures National Association of State Treasurers National Association of State Auditors, ...

Promoting Place-Based Strategies to Address Poverty

Exploring the Governor’s Role Growing up poor can have lifelong consequences for an individual and for society as a whole. Impoverished communities have difficulty meeting the needs of their residents ...

Political Subdivisions

The Honorable John Koskinen, Commissioner Internal Revenue Service U.S. Department of the Treasury 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20044 RE: Proposed IRS Definition of “Political Subdivision” (REG-129067-15) Dear Commissioner ...

Revisiting Top Trends in State Economic Development

Since the 2013 publication of Top Trends in State Economic Development, governors’ key advisors have continued to explore and implement policies and programs intended to accelerate economic growth and create ...

Capitol Ideas: States Fiscally Stable, But Juggling Priorities

In the February 2016 issue of Capitol Ideas, NGA Executive Director and CEO Scott Pattison outlines financial challenges states face in 2016. Some highlights from the article: Though states have experienced ...

Fiduciary Definition

The Honorable Thomas Perez, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Regulations and Interpretations, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Room N-5655 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20210 RE: Proposed Conflict-of-Interest Rule ...