Workforce Development, Higher Education & 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

Portia Pratt, Senior Policy Analyst
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Analyst
Malena Dailey, Policy Analyst
Kyra Gardner, 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

Letter on Principles for Workforce Development Improvement

Now is the time to meaningfully update and reshape federal workforce programs to address the present and future of work. The Honorable Patty MurrayChairCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsU.S ...

Governors’ Principles to Renew the Federal Workforce System

Key principles for redesigning the federal workforce development system to create jobs, uplift workers, and provide employers with the tools they need to further skills development. (Download) Elevating Governor and ...

EDUCATE FOR OPPORTUNITY

The NGA Center partnered with Strada Education Network from 2019 through 2021 to focus on supporting state efforts that connect and align their postsecondary institutions to state workforce needs. The ...

Defining Job Quality for Reemployment and Recovery: State Action Planning Template

This action planning template focuses on actions that state leaders can take to connect jobseekers with high-quality employment and place a greater emphasis on job quality via resource allocation, program ...

Amid difficulty, Missouri finds opportunity

Our state will do everything in its power to help displaced Missourians return to work and equip them for the accelerating pace of change ahead. by Governor Mike Parson Despite ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Economic Policy Library

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 ...

Highway Trust Fund Rescission

The Honorable Rob Woodall U.S. House of Representatives 1724 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Woodall: The National Governors Association (NGA), the National Conference of State Legislatures ...

SELF DRIVE Act

The Honorable Greg Walden Chairman Energy and Commerce Committee United States House of Representatives 2185 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Frank Pallone Ranking Member Energy and Commerce ...

NGA, NCSL Oppose Preemption Bill Under Consideration by Congress

The National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) today issued this statement in opposition to H.R. 2887, the No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2017: ...

2017 Policy Institute for Governors’ Economic Advisors

July 18–21, 2017 | Annapolis, MD The 2017 Institute for Governors’ Economic Policy Advisors allowed governors’ top economic development staff to network, learn from each other, and hear from experts ...

NGA Comments on Federal Tax Reform

MEMORANDUM To: Senator Orrin Hatch, Chair Senate Finance Committee Re: NGA Comments on Federal Tax Reform NGA believes that no fundamental tax reform can succeed unless it is an intergovernmental ...

Drone Innovation Act

The Honorable Jason Lewis United States House of Representatives 418 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Julia Brownley United States House of Representatives 1019 Longworth Office Building ...

Drone Federalism Act

The Honorable Diane Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Michael Lee United States Senate 361A Russel Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 ...

State Officials Stress Importance of 2018 Farm Bill

The National Governors Association (NGA), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) released the following statement today on states’ priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill: “Governors, legislators and chief state ...