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.

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 117th 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

Short-Time Compensation Programs as a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy

Short-Time Compensation Programs as a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy

(View/Download) Introduction This memo provides governors and state officials with an overview of the Short-Time Compensation (STC) program and opportunities for developing, promoting, and expanding state STC programs during the ...
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Key Steps and Considerations for Building a COVID-19 Contact Tracing Workforce

Key Steps and Considerations for Building a COVID-19 Contact Tracing Workforce

(View/Download) Executive Summary As outlined in our Roadmap to Recovery, as states gradually reopen economic and social activities, they must build a robust public health infrastructure with the capacity to ...
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State Strategies to Transition Dislocated and Incumbent Workers into High-Demand Industries

State Strategies to Transition Dislocated and Incumbent Workers into High-Demand Industries

(View/Download) Background While disruptions caused by COVID-19 have led to unprecedented increases in unemployment, some industries are now experiencing regional workforce shortages as they escalate their operations to support the ...
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Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19

Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19

Summary Times of crisis often exacerbate the economic challenges faced by rural communities. Following the Great Recession, for example, unemployment in rural areas rose by 6 percent, and rates of ...
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Delivering Workforce System Employment and Training Services Remotely

Delivering Workforce System Employment and Training Services Remotely

Summary Across the United States, American Job Centers (AJCs) provide a range of assistance to jobseekers, students, and businesses. Due to COVID-19, they have had to readjust their delivery methods ...
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Economic Recovery Planning & Resources to Support Businesses and Local Communities

Economic Recovery Planning & Resources to Support Businesses and Local Communities

Businesses and economies across the world are feeling the impact of COVID-19. Despite having a robust economy just over a month ago, the effects of the virus are already slowing ...
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Information and Guidance on Supporting On-demand Workers through the COVID-19 Crisis

Information and Guidance on Supporting On-demand Workers through the COVID-19 Crisis

Introduction This memo provides governors and state officials with an overview of the key issues related to on-demand workers during the COVID-19 crisis. For the purposes of this memo, “on-demand ...
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CARES Act & Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations: Workforce Provisions Summary and Analysis

Note: Title II of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) contains detailed provisions on the design and implementation of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and other short-term unemployment ...
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Dual Credit in the Time of COVID-19

Students enrolled in dual credit courses are relying upon multiple stakeholders to execute the transition from the classroom to virtual learning. Questions of where to find resources to continue their ...
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Economic Policy Library

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 ...
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American Community Survey – Big 7

The Honorable John Culberson Chairman Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies House Committee on Appropriations H-309 The Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Chaka Fattah Ranking Member Subcommittee ...
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Marketplace Fairness – Big 7

The Honorable John Boehner Speaker of the House United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Republican Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable ...
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Municipal Securities – Big 7

Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 400 7th St., SW Suite 3E-218 Washington, D.C. 20219 Mr. Robert deV. Fierson, Secretary Board of Governors of ...
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Internet Gaming

The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable John Boehner Speaker of ...
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Federal Insurance Office (FIO)

The Honorable Jacob J. “Jack” Lew Secretary of the Treasury U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Lew: Governors believe that states must ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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