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
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

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 ...

Policy Academy on Scaling Work-Based Learning to discuss the Strengthening Career and Technical Education

On February 7, 2019 at 3pm ET, NGA held a webinar for all cohorts of the Policy Academy on Scaling Work-Based Learning to discuss the Strengthening Career and Technical Education ...

Strada Education Network Invests in Development of State Policies for Adult Learners, Disconnected Youth

$3.5 million in grants to National Governors Association, Education Commission of the States will incubate new pathways to opportunity for 32 million Americans left out of economic growth ...

NGA and NPRC Partner with Three States for Parole Authorities Learning Collaborative

The National Governors Association’s (NGA) Center for Best Practices, in partnership with the National Parole Resource Center (NPRC), has announced this year’s selection of states that will receive technical assistance ...

Governors Applaud Signing of the First Step Act Into Law

In response the President signing the First Step Act into law today, leaders of National Governors Association (NGA), which advocated for the passage of a bipartisan criminal-justice bill intended to ...

Letter to Congress regarding First Step Act

Letter from the National Governors Association to congressional leadership supporting passage of criminal-justice reform legislation. DOWNLOAD THE LETTER Full Text December 18, 2018 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United ...

Montana Governor Hosts Workshop on Preparing for the Jobs of the Future

Credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal LAS VEGAS – National Governors Association Chair Montana Governor Steve Bullock was in Las Vegas this week to continue the national discussion on how to equip ...

Economic Policy Library

State, Local Groups Respond to President’s Tax Plan

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 ...

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 ...

Testimony – State Tax Issues

Written Testimony of Dan Crippen Executive Director, National Governors Association Before the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law U. S. House of Representatives On ...