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

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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coronavirus image

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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state strategies to scale work-based learning

State Strategies for Scaling Work-Based Learning

“State Strategies for Scaling Work-Based Learning: Lessons Learned from an NGA Policy Academy” provides greater detail on how governors can lead and work with state partners on each key element ...
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Parents and Children Thriving Together: A Framework for Two-Generation Policy and System Reform

Parents and Children Thriving Together: A Framework for Two-Generation Policy and System Reform

(View/Download) Executive Summary This brief explores the lessons learned from the 2016 Parents and Children Thriving Together: Two Generation State Policy Network (PACTT Network), a collaboration between the National Governors ...
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Economic Policy Library

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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Testimony – Enhanced Rescission Authority

Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before you today on behalf of the nation’s governors on the issue of state line item veto rules ...
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Testimony – ARRA Oversight

Chairman Towns, Ranking Member Issa, members of the committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for holding a hearing to review and discuss state efforts to implement the ...
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Testimony – Stimulus Oversight

Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins, members of the committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss state efforts to ...
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Testimony – Economic and Employment Impact of the Arts and Music Industry

Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, and members of the committee, my name is John Thomasian and I am the director of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA ...
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Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development

Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development

Through the creative industries, states have an opportunity to create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. (View/Download) Arts and culture are ...
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Promoting Film and Media to Enhance State Economic Development

Promoting Film and Media to Enhance State Economic Development

Film and media arts can play a key role in state economic development. As economic impact studies continue to demonstrate the ability of the film industry to create high-paying jobs, ...
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