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 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


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

Governors: First Step Act Deserves a Vote This Congress

In response to S. 3649 gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate, the National Governors Association (NGA) released the following statement: “The National Governors Association applauds Congress and the Trump Administration ...

Yahoo Op-Ed: America’s Governors are Taking the Lead in Bringing Jobs to Their States

This is an opinion piece by Scott Pattison, CEO and executive director of the National Governors Association. He appeared at Yahoo Finance’s All Markets Summit. This piece originally appeared on Yahoo.  ...
Policy Academy on Scaling Work-Based Learning: Second Cross-State Meeting

Policy Academy on Scaling Work-Based Learning: Second Cross-State Meeting

October 3-5, 2018 | Raleigh, North Carolina The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) hosted the second policy academy cross-state meeting focused on assisting state workforce and education ...

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 ...

Economic Policy Library

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